Key Takeaways:
- Immigrant visas markedly increased from 462,422 in 2019 to 562,976 in 2023, reflecting a post-pandemic recovery.
- Nonimmigrant visa issuance fluctuated, falling to 2,792,083 in 2021, but rising sharply to 10,438,327 by 2023.
- COVID-19 profoundly impacted visa services starting March 2020, leading to significant drops and subsequent recovery by 2023.
What Are the Trends in U.S. Immigrant Visas Issued from 2019 to 2023?
Analyzing the issuance of U.S. immigrant visas over the past five years reveals significant variations. These changes are largely a result of global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s look at the different categories and how they have evolved from 2019 to 2023.
How Did Immediate Relatives Visa Issuance Change?
The Immediate Relatives category, which includes spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens, saw a remarkable increase from 186,584 visas in 2019 to 245,696 in 2023. This steady growth highlights the U.S. immigration policy’s emphasis on family reunification.
What’s the Trend for Special Immigrants?
Special Immigrants, encompassing groups like returning residents and certain Iraqi and Afghan nationals, more than doubled from 11,384 visas in 2019 to 21,040 in 2023. This rise underscores the U.S. commitment to supporting individuals who have aided American missions abroad.
Were There Any Changes in Vietnam Amerasian Immigrant Visas?
Though smaller in number, Vietnam Amerasian Immigrant visas increased from 96 in 2019 to 237 in 2023. This category addresses individuals fathered by U.S. citizens in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
How Did Family Sponsored Preference Visas Fluctuate?
The issuance of Family Sponsored Preference visas experienced several fluctuations. The number of visas dropped significantly from 190,938 in 2019 to 63,858 in 2021. However, this category rebounded to 194,419 in 2023, reflecting efforts to recover from the pandemic’s impact.
Were Employment-Based Preference Visas Impacted by the Pandemic?
Employment-Based Preference visas saw ups and downs. The number dropped from 28,538 in 2019 to 14,694 in 2020 due to pandemic-related restrictions. Interestingly, this category peaked at 55,058 visas in 2022 but then slightly decreased to 46,508 in 2023.
What Happened to Armed Forces Special Immigrant Visas?
No visas were issued in the Armed Forces Special Immigrant category from 2019 to 2023.
How Did Diversity Immigrant Visas Fare?
Diversity Immigrant visas showed notable changes. Despite a drop to 17,344 in 2021, the number rose to 55,076 by 2023, reflecting the program’s resilience and significance in U.S. immigration policy.
What Is the Total Number of Immigrant Visas Issued?
Despite a dramatic decrease in total immigrant visas issued from 462,422 in 2019 to 240,526 in 2020 due to the pandemic, the numbers showed a robust recovery, reaching 562,976 in 2023.
What Are the Trends in U.S. Nonimmigrant Visas Issued from 2019 to 2023?
The issuance of nonimmigrant visas also experienced substantial variability over the past five years, significantly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
How Did the Overall Nonimmigrant Visa Issuance Change?
The total number of nonimmigrant visas issued varied greatly. In 2019, 8,742,068 visas were issued, which fell to 2,792,083 in 2021 amid the pandemic. This number rebounded sharply to 10,438,327 by 2023, indicating a strong recovery in international mobility.
What About B1/B2/Border Crossing Cards for Mexican Nationals?
A subset of nonimmigrant visas, the B1/B2/Border Crossing Cards issued to Mexican nationals, followed a similar pattern. From 1,106,852 visas issued in 2019, the number dipped to 512,889 in 2021, before increasing to 1,821,030 in 2023.
How Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Impact Visa Issuance?
The COVID-19 pandemic had a pronounced impact on the issuance of both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. Starting in March 2020, routine visa services were suspended, and only mission-critical and emergency services were provided. This suspension led to the significant drop in visa issuances seen in 2020 and 2021. However, as conditions improved, visa services gradually resumed, contributing to the recovery observed in 2022 and 2023.
How Is the U.S. Visa Issuance System Adapting?
According to VisaVerge.com, the data from 2019 to 2023 illustrates the resilience and adaptability of the U.S. visa issuance system. Despite the pandemic’s challenges, the system has shown a robust recovery, particularly in 2022 and 2023. The observed trends in various visa categories demonstrate the dynamic nature of U.S. immigration policy and its responsiveness to global events.
For more detailed information on U.S. visa categories and their issuance, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Summary Table: Immigrant Visas Issued
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate Relatives | 186,584 | 108,292 | 170,604 | 212,185 | 245,696 |
| Special Immigrants | 11,384 | 8,722 | 13,421 | 14,903 | 21,040 |
| Vietnam Amerasian Immigrants | 96 | 95 | 63 | 168 | 237 |
| Family Sponsored Preference | 190,938 | 90,435 | 63,858 | 156,800 | 194,419 |
| Employment-Based Preference | 28,538 | 14,694 | 19,779 | 55,058 | 46,508 |
| Armed Forces Special Immigrants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Diversity Immigrants | 44,882 | 18,288 | 17,344 | 54,334 | 55,076 |
| Total | 462,422 | 240,526 | 285,069 | 493,448 | 562,976 |
Summary Table: Nonimmigrant Visas Issued
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visas Issued | 8,742,068 | 4,013,210 | 2,792,083 | 6,815,120 | 10,438,327 |
| (B1/B2/Border Crossing Cards) | (1,106,852) | (662,536) | (512,889) | (1,244,482) | (1,821,030) |
| Total | 8,742,068 | 4,013,210 | 2,792,083 | 6,815,120 | 10,438,327 |
Notes on Visa Issuance Data
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, posts were instructed to suspend routine visa services and provide only mission-critical and emergency services starting late March 2020. This suspension had a significant impact on the provision of Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa-related services. Posts were able to resume limited services on a post-by-post basis beginning in July 2020, as local conditions allowed.
- The totals in the tables do not include replaced immigrant visas.
- Special Immigrant totals include returning residents, Iraqi and Afghan translators; Iraqis and Afghans employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government or the International Security Assistance Force, or its successor, and Iraqi and Afghan SI cases converted under Section 1244; as well as certain family members of U1 Nonimmigrants.
- Combination B1/B2 visitor visa/Border Crossing Cards are issued to Mexican nationals. B1/B2/Border Crossing Card issuances are included in the “Visas Issued” line.
Learn Today:
Glossary
- Immediate Relatives Visa: A type of U.S. immigrant visa specifically for the immediate family members—spouses, children, and parents—of U.S. citizens, emphasizing family reunification.
- Special Immigrants: A category of U.S. immigrant visas for specific groups, including returning residents and certain Iraqi and Afghan nationals who have assisted U.S. missions, reflecting dedicated support for allies and individuals with special circumstances.
- Vietnam Amerasian Immigrant Visa: A specific class of U.S. immigrant visa for individuals born in Vietnam to U.S. citizen fathers during the Vietnam War, addressing historical familial ties.
- Family Sponsored Preference Visas: Immigrant visas allocated based on specific family relationships beyond immediate relatives, such as siblings and adult children of U.S. citizens, and certain categories for permanent residents, which are subject to annual numerical limits.
- Employment-Based Preference Visas: U.S. immigrant visas granted based on employment qualifications and skills, intended to attract workers with the expertise needed in the U.S. economy, subject to annual caps and categorized by preference based on job type and skills.
This Article In A Nutshell:
From 2019 to 2023, U.S. immigrant visa trends showed notable shifts, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Immediate Relatives visas increased, reflecting family reunifications, while Special Immigrant visas doubled, supporting those aiding U.S. missions. In contrast, Vietnam Amerasian visas saw modest gains, and Employment-Based visas experienced fluctuations but largely recovered.
— By VisaVerge.com
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