July 2024 Visa Bulletin: Significant Advancements in Visa Cut-Off Dates for Indian Nationals

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) regularly updates its Visa Bulletin to provide information on immigrant visa availability. This bulletin helps prospective immigrants understand when they might receive their visas, based on their priority dates. Each month, the DOS releases two charts for each visa preference category: one showing Application Final Dates and the other indicating Dates for Filing Applications.

The Application Final Dates chart specifies when visas can finally be issued, while the Dates for Filing Applications chart highlights the earliest possible dates for submitting applications.

For the July 2024 Visa Bulletin, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has opted to continue using the Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applications. Concurrently, USCIS will also follow the Dates for Filing for Family-Sponsored Adjustment of Status Applications. While the July 2024 Visa Bulletin includes date changes for individuals worldwide, this article will specifically discuss those affecting Indian nationals.

In the Family-based First Preference Category (F-1 – Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens), the visa cut-off date for India remains September 1, 2017.

For the Family-based Second Preference Category (F2A – Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents), India’s visa cut-off date has advanced by several months to November 1, 2023.

In the Family-based Second Preference Category (F2B – Unmarried Sons and Daughters, 21 years or older, of Permanent Residents), the cut-off date for India stays at January 1, 2017.

For the Family-based Third Preference Category (F3 – Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens), India’s visa cut-off date advances to October 1, 2010.

In the Family-based Fourth Preference Category (F4 – Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens), India’s cut-off date remains unchanged at June 15, 2006.

In terms of employment-based categories, the Employment-based First Preference (Priority Workers) sees India’s cut-off date move significantly to February 1, 2022.

For the Employment-based Second Preference (Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability), India’s cut-off date advances to June 15, 2012.

In the Employment-based Third Preference (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers), India’s cut-off date moves forward by a month to September 22, 2012.

The Employment-based Fourth Preference (Certain Special Immigrants, including Religious Workers) sees India’s cut-off date advance substantially to January 1, 2021.

In the Employment-based Fifth Preference (Employment Creation, or EB-5 immigrant investor visa category), the unreserved category cut-off date for India remains December 1, 2020. In the Final Action Dates chart for EB-5 Set Asides (covering Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure areas) for Indian applicants, visa numbers continue to be ‘Current.’

From these updates, it is evident that many significant developments have occurred since the previous month’s Visa Bulletin, with most filing dates advancing by at least a few months.

By utilizing the Final Action Dates for Employment-based Preference Cases in the July 2024 Visa Bulletin, the U.S. Department of State aims to manage the high demand for these visa categories effectively.

This month, several substantial movements were noted in various employment-based categories for India, which is encouraging. We will continue to monitor the actions of the Department of State and USCIS in the upcoming months.

As highlighted, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) keeps immigrant visa applicants informed through its Visa Bulletin, which is updated monthly. The bulletin includes two critical charts for each visa category, reflecting Application Final Dates and Dates for Filing Applications.

Application Final Dates indicate when visas can be issued, while Dates for Filing Applications show the earliest dates for submitting applications.

For July 2024, USCIS decided to continue using the Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applications. Additionally, USCIS will follow the Dates for Filing for Family-Sponsored Adjustment of Status Applications. This article focuses on the July 2024 updates for Indian nationals.

In the Family-based First Preference Category (F-1), India’s cut-off date remains September 1, 2017. For the Family-based Second Preference Category (F2A), the date advances to November 1, 2023. In the Family-based Second Preference Category (F2B), the cut-off date for India stays at January 1, 2017.

The Family-based Third Preference Category (F3) sees India’s cut-off date advance to October 1, 2010. The Family-based Fourth Preference Category (F4) remains at June 15, 2006.

Employment-based categories also show significant changes. The Employment-based First Preference (EB-1) cut-off date for India moves to February 1, 2022. The Employment-based Second Preference (EB-2) advances to June 15, 2012. The Employment-based Third Preference (EB-3) cut-off date advances to September 22, 2012.

In the Employment-based Fourth Preference (EB-4), India’s cut-off date advances to January 1, 2021. For the Employment-based Fifth Preference (EB-5) in the unreserved category, the cut-off date for India remains December 1, 2020, with visa numbers in the EB-5 Set Asides category remaining ‘Current.’

Overall, the July 2024 Visa Bulletin shows significant advancements in many filing dates compared to previous months.

The U.S. Department of State, by using the Final Action Dates for Employment-based Preference Cases, aims to manage the visa demand effectively. The significant advancements in employment-based categories for India are promising. Monitoring the Department of State and USCIS’s actions in the upcoming months will be crucial to understanding the evolving visa availability landscape.