The May 2024 Visa Bulletin, a pivotal document released by the U.S. Department of State, provides invaluable insights for those aspiring to obtain immigrant visas to the United States. This comprehensive guide will methodically dissect the bulletin, focusing on the specific dates, numerical limits, and implications for applicants from various countries, thereby equipping aspiring immigrants with a clearer understanding of the current immigration landscape.
Statistical Numbers and Preference Categories
The May 2024 Visa Bulletin outlines two main types of immigrant visa categories: Family-Sponsored and Employment-Based preferences, each with its own set of numerical limits and priority dates. Let’s start by unpacking these numbers and what they signify for potential applicants.
Family-Sponsored Preferences:
| Family-Sponsored Categories | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 – Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens | 08 JUL 15 | 08 JUL 15 | 08 JUL 15 | 15 OCT 01 | 01 MAR 12 |
| F2A – Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents | 01 JUN 21 | 01 JUN 21 | 01 JUN 21 | 08 NOV 20 | 01 JUN 21 |
| F2B – Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents | 01 APR 16 | 01 APR 16 | 01 APR 16 | 01 MAR 04 | 22 OCT 11 |
| F3 – Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens | 01 JAN 10 | 01 JAN 10 | 01 JAN 10 | 22 JUL 99 | 01 AUG 02 |
| F4 – Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens | 22 JUL 07 | 22 JUL 07 | 15 JAN 06 | 22 JAN 01 | 08 SEP 03 |
This table compiles the Final Action Dates for family-sponsored visas as per the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for May 2024. The dates indicate the priority date up to which the numbers are authorized for issuance. A priority date earlier than the one listed is required for visa issuance. The “C” and “U” notations are not applicable in this specific table excerpt.
- Total Limit: 226,000 visas are allocated annually for family-sponsored preferences, a substantial number that reflects the U.S.’s commitment to family reunification.
Breakdown by Category: - The First Preference (F1) accounts for unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. For May 2024, those with a priority date before July 8, 2015, except for applicants from Mexico (October 15, 2001) and the Philippines (March 1, 2012), are now eligible to proceed with their applications.
- Second Preference (F2A and F2B) caters to spouses and children, and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents, with specific dates marking eligibility for application submission.
- The Third (F3) and Fourth (F4) Preferences pertain to married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and siblings of U.S. citizens, respectively, with specific processing dates that vary significantly by the applicants’ countries.
Detailed Table: Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications (May 2024 Visa Bulletin)
The following table showcases the dates for filing family-sponsored visa applications as noted in the May 2024 Visa Bulletin. Applicants whose priority dates are earlier than these specified dates are advised to prepare and submit their documentation to the Department of State’s National Visa Center.
| Family-Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 – Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens | 01 SEP 17 | 01 SEP 17 | 01 SEP 17 | 01 APR 05 | 22 APR 15 |
| F2A – Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents | 01 SEP 23 | 01 SEP 23 | 01 SEP 23 | 01 SEP 23 | 01 SEP 23 |
| F2B – Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents | 01 JAN 17 | 01 JAN 17 | 01 JAN 17 | 01 SEP 04 | 01 OCT 13 |
| F3 – Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens | 01 JUN 10 | 01 JUN 10 | 01 JUN 10 | 15 JUN 01 | 08 NOV 03 |
| F4 – Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens | 01 MAR 08 | 01 MAR 08 | 15 JUN 06 | 22 APR 01 | 01 JUN 05 |
Explanation of the Data
The table above illuminates the ‘Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications’ as extracted from the May 2024 Visa Bulletin. These dates signal when applicants can take the proactive step of submitting their requisite documents for the visa application process. Here’s a breakdown of the information presented:
- Priority Dates: The dates listed next to each category are known as ‘priority dates.’ These dates indicate the earliest date when an applicant can initiate the visa application process by submitting their paperwork to the National Visa Center.
- Categories Explained:
- F1: Refers to adult, unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- F2A: Denotes spouses and children (under 21 and unmarried) of U.S. permanent residents.
- F2B: Pertains to unmarried sons and daughters (21 years and older) of U.S. permanent residents.
- F3: Concerns married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, indicating that the pathway to immigration includes the nuclear family unit of citizens.
- F4: Encompasses siblings of adult U.S. citizens, expanding the family sponsorship opportunities to the extended family.
Understanding Country-Specific Dates: The table showcases variations in dates across different countries, highlighting the demand and the per-country limitations enforced in the visa issuance process. For instance, the F2A category is markedly forward-dated (01 SEP 23) for all listed countries, indicating a more streamlined process for spouses and children of permanent residents, likely due to policy priorities.
Interpreting Variance and Specificity:
- Mexico & Philippines Variance: Mexico and the Philippines, in certain categories, show remarkably different dates compared to the rest. This discrepancy underscores the high volume of applications from these countries, necessitating extended waiting periods.
- More Opportunity in F2A: The uniform date across all countries for the F2A category, set at 01 SEP 23, demonstrates a significant opportunity for immediate family members of permanent residents to initiate their visa application process, pointing towards policy facilitation for faster family reunification.
In essence, this table and its accompanying details elucidate the immigration process, showcasing the opportunities and waiting periods across various family sponsorship categories. It serves as a crucial planning tool for potential immigrants, offering insights into the timing of their application process contingent on their priority dates and familial relationships to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases
| Employment-Based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | C | 01SEP22 | 01MAR21 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15JAN23 | 01FEB20 | 15APR12 | 15JAN23 | 15JAN23 |
| 3rd | 22NOV22 | 01SEP20 | 15AUG12 | 22NOV22 | 22NOV22 |
| Other Workers | 08OCT20 | 01JAN17 | 15AUG12 | 08OCT20 | 01MAY20 |
| 4th | 01NOV20 | 01NOV20 | 01NOV20 | 01NOV20 | 01NOV20 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01NOV20 | 01NOV20 | 01NOV20 | 01NOV20 | 01NOV20 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) | C | 15DEC15 | 01DEC20 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
Key:
- “C”: Current. Numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants.
- “U”: Unauthorized. Numbers are not authorized for issuance (not listed in this table).
- Date (e.g., 01SEP22): Indicates the cut-off date. Only applicants with a priority date earlier than the listed date are authorized for issuance.
Explanation:
- 1st Employment-Based Preference (EB-1): This category includes persons with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational managers or executives. It’s current for all areas except China and India, meaning there are visas available for all qualified applicants except those born in China and India, where the cut-off dates are September 1, 2022, and March 1, 2021, respectively.
- 2nd Employment-Based Preference (EB-2): This category is for professionals holding advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability. The cut-off date varies, with India having the earliest date (April 15, 2012), indicating a longer wait.
- 3rd Employment-Based Preference (EB-3): This includes skilled workers, professionals, and other workers. Similar to the EB-2, there’s a significant backlog for India and China.
- Other Workers: Part of the EB-3, but specifically for unskilled workers. The cut-off dates are similar to the EB-3 category.
- 4th Employment-Based Preference (EB-4): This is for various special immigrants, including certain religious workers; all listed areas have the same cut-off date.
- 5th Employment-Based Preference (EB-5): This is for immigrant investors. The “Unreserved” category has visas currently available for all except for those born in China and India. The “Set Aside” categories are current for all listed, meaning visas are available for all qualified applicants.
This table is a crucial tool for applicants to estimate their wait times and understand the current state of visa availability based on their employment-based preference category and country of chargeability.
Dates for Filing of Employment-Based Visa Applications
| Employment-Based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | C | 01JAN23 | 01APR21 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15FEB23 | 01JUN20 | 15MAY12 | 15FEB23 | 15FEB23 |
| 3rd | 01FEB23 | 01JUL21 | 15SEP12 | 01FEB23 | 01JAN23 |
| Other Workers | 15DEC20 | 01JUN17 | 15SEP12 | 15DEC20 | 15MAY20 |
| 4th | 01DEC20 | 01DEC20 | 01DEC20 | 01DEC20 | 01DEC20 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01DEC20 | 01DEC20 | 01DEC20 | 01DEC20 | 01DEC20 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) | C | 01JAN17 | 01APR22 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
Key:
- “C”: Current. Applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date.
- Date (e.g., 01JAN23): Indicates the cut-off date. Applicants with a priority date earlier than the listed date may file their application.
Explanation:
- 1st Employment-Based Preference (EB-1): Applicants worldwide can file their applications unless they were born in China or India. Chinese and Indian nationals have specific cut-off dates due to higher demand in these categories.
- 2nd Employment-Based Preference (EB-2): There’s a notable backlog for applicants from China and India, with China’s cut-off date set at June 1, 2020, and India’s even earlier at May 15, 2012. Other areas are less affected.
- 3rd Employment-Based Preference (EB-3): This category also shows significant backlogs for China and India. Applicants from other regions face less severe delays.
- Other Workers: This category is part of EB-3 for unskilled workers, showing similar trends of delays for China and India, with specific cut-off dates for filing.
- 4th Employment-Based Preference (EB-4): All regions have the same cut-off date, indicating uniformity in the availability across different chargeability areas.
- Certain Religious Workers: Part of the EB-4 category, with the same cut-off dates, showing no regional discrepancies in filing dates.
- 5th Employment-Based Preference (EB-5): The Unreserved category is current for most areas except for China and India, which have their own cut-off dates due to higher demand. The Set Aside categories are current across all regions, indicating wider availability for these specific investment programs.
This information is pivotal for prospective immigrants to understand when they may initiate their visa application process based on their employment-based preference category and country of chargeability. It highlights the varying waiting times and availability of visas across different categories and nationalities.
May DV-2024 Cut-Off Numbers
| Region | Cut-Off Numbers | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICA | 52,000 | Algeria: 51,000 Egypt: 32,000 Morocco: 35,000 |
| ASIA | 8,000 | Iran: 7,100 Nepal: 7,100 |
| EUROPE | 18,000 | Russia: 17,750 Uzbekistan: 8,000 |
| NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | 15 | N/A |
| OCEANIA | 1,650 | N/A |
| SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN | 2,600 | N/A |
In May, the DV-2024 program allocated visas with specific cut-off numbers for various regions, adjusting for countries within those regions that have higher demand or lower eligibility numbers, such as Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco in Africa, and Iran and Nepal in Asia. These adjustments ensure no country receives more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year.
June DV-2024 Cut-Off Numbers
| Region | Cut-Off Numbers | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICA | 57,000 | Algeria: 56,950 Egypt: 32,000 Morocco: 41,500 |
| ASIA | 9,000 | Iran: 8,500 Nepal: 8,500 |
| EUROPE | 21,000 | Russia: 20,240 Uzbekistan: 9,000 |
| NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | 15 | N/A |
| OCEANIA | 1,850 | N/A |
| SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN | 2,750 | N/A |
The June table shows an increase in cut-off numbers for almost all regions compared to May, indicating that more applicants are eligible to apply for a visa as the fiscal year progresses. Notably, Egypt’s cut-off remains the same from May to June, indicating that the cap for eligible Egyptian applicants was reached earlier in the year.
Explanation
The Diversity Visa (DV) program aims to diversify the immigrant population in the United States by selecting applicants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. The allocation cut-off numbers indicate the maximum rank of applicants from each region who are eligible to apply for their visa that month.
The variations in cut-off numbers from May to June for each region reflect the demand and eligibility of applicants from those countries. No DV visas can be issued after the fiscal year for which they are allocated, emphasizing the need for prompt action by applicants who fall within the eligible cut-off ranks. The program’s design ensures no one country dominates the recipients of the available visas while adhering to legal caps set on the number of visas issued each fiscal year.
Employment-Based Preferences:
Similarly, the May 2024 bulletin outlines the availability for Employment-Based preferences. For instance, in the First Preference (EB-1) category, those from China and India face specific cutoff dates (September 1, 2022, for China and March 1, 2021, for India), while it remains current for other regions.
- EB-2 and EB-3 categories also highlight the significant backlog for applicants from China and India, with priority dates ranging from early 2012 to 2023, reflecting the high demand and limited availability for applicants from these countries.
Country-Specific Observations
The bulletin underlines the perpetually high demand and resulting backlog for certain countries, most notably China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines. For example, Mexican applicants under the Family-Sponsored First Preference have to date back to October 15, 2001, indicating a considerable waiting period for visa availability.
Diversity Visa (DV) Category Insights
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, designed to provide immigration opportunities to nationals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S., has its own set of numbers and cutoffs. For May 2024, specific regional allocations highlight availability and cut-offs, reinforcing the program’s role in diversifying the immigrant population in the U.S.
Why the Specific Dates Matter
The exact priority dates listed in the Visa Bulletin are more than mere numbers—they are a beacon of hope for many awaiting their turn in the lengthy U.S. immigration queue. They indicate when an applicant can move forward in the process, a critical milestone towards achieving the American dream.
For instance, a Filipino applicant under the Family-Sponsored Fourth Preference sees an advancement to September 3, 2003, signifying a progression, albeit slow. Similarly, an Indian professional under the Employment-Based Second Preference eyeing the priority date of April 12, 2012, gauges the painstakingly slow movement indicative of the immense backlog and demand.
Analyzing the Dates for Filing
The Bulletin also provides “Dates for Filing,” crucial for those at the initial stages of their immigration journey. Here, we observe broader timelines, offering a glimmer of quicker movement in certain categories. For example, the F2A category remarkably lists September 2023 for all countries, indicating a relatively faster process for spouses and children of permanent residents.
Consequential Insights and Impact
Understanding the intricate details of the May 2024 Visa Bulletin illuminates the path for countless aspiring immigrants. The specified dates represent critical junctures, moving from hopeful anticipation to active preparation. The variance across categories and countries underscores the complex fabric of U.S. immigration policy, revealing both opportunities and bottlenecks.
Despite the apparent progress in certain categories, the Bulletin brings to light the prolonged waits faced by many, particularly from oversubscribed countries. It serves as a necessary tool for planning and setting realistic expectations for those embarking on their immigration journey to the United States.
In summary, the May 2024 Visa Bulletin is a testament to the ongoing balance between demand and availability in the U.S. immigration system. By delving into the specifics, hopeful immigrants and their families can better navigate the complexities ahead, armed with knowledge and readiness for the steps that follow.
