The U.S. Department of State has released the December 2024 Visa Bulletin, outlining key information for individuals awaiting immigrant visas in the Family-Sponsored and Employment-Based categories. This bulletin provides updates on “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications” across various visa preference categories. These dates indicate when applicants should submit their documentation to the National Visa Center.
Key Highlights
- Family-Sponsored Visa Limits:
- The fiscal year 2025 cap for family-sponsored immigrant visas is set at 226,000.
- For employment-based visas, the annual worldwide limit is at least 140,000.
- Country Caps:
- The per-country cap for preference immigrants is 7% of the total family- and employment-based preference limits, or 25,620 visas.
- For dependent areas, the limit is 2%, totaling 7,320 visas.
- Oversubscribed Chargeability Areas:
- Certain countries, including China (mainland-born), India, Mexico, and the Philippines, have exceeded their per-country limit and are classified as oversubscribed. As a result, these countries experience longer wait times for available visas.
Note: “C” means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants. “U” means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance.
Family-Sponsored Visa Preference Categories
The INA (Immigration and Nationality Act) prescribes family-sponsored preference classes:
- F1 (First Preference): Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- F2A (Second Preference A): Spouses and children of permanent residents.
- F2B (Second Preference B): Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years or older) of permanent residents.
- F3 (Third Preference): Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- F4 (Fourth Preference): Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.
Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Preferences
The “Final Action Dates” indicate when applicants should expect to be approved for visas if their priority date is earlier than the listed date. Below is a summary:
| Category | All Chargeability Areas (except those listed) | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 22OCT15 | 22OCT15 | 22OCT15 | 22NOV04 | 01MAR12 |
| F2A | 01JAN22 | 01JAN22 | 01JAN22 | 15APR21 | 01JAN22 |
| F2B | 01MAY16 | 01MAY16 | 01MAY16 | 01JUL05 | 22OCT11 |
| F3 | 15APR10 | 15APR10 | 15APR10 | 22OCT00 | 08SEP02 |
| F4 | 01AUG07 | 01AUG07 | 08MAR06 | 01MAR01 | 01FEB04 |
Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications
Applicants with priority dates earlier than the dates listed below may submit their documentation.
| Category | All Chargeability Areas (except those listed) | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01OCT05 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JUL06 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22APR12 | 22APR12 | 22APR12 | 15JUN01 | 08MAY04 |
| F4 | 01MAR08 | 01MAR08 | 01AUG06 | 30APR01 | 22JUL07 |
Employment-Based Visa Preference Categories
The INA also sets employment-based preference categories:
- EB-1: Priority Workers.
- EB-2: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability.
- EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers.
- EB-4: Certain Special Immigrants, including religious workers.
- EB-5: Immigrant Investors, with specific set-asides for rural areas, high unemployment areas, and infrastructure projects.
Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preferences
For December 2024, “Final Action Dates” for employment-based categories are as follows:
| Category | All Chargeability Areas (except those listed) | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | 08NOV22 | 01FEB22 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | 15MAR23 | 22MAR20 | 01AUG12 | 15MAR23 | 15MAR23 |
| EB-3 | 15NOV22 | 01APR20 | 08NOV12 | 15NOV22 | 15NOV22 |
| Other Workers | 01DEC20 | 01JAN17 | 08NOV12 | 01DEC20 | 01DEC20 |
| EB-4 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| EB-5 | Current | 15JUL16 | 01JAN22 | Current | Current |
Dates for Filing Employment-Based Visa Applications
These dates signal when eligible applicants can submit documentation for their employment-based preference visas:
| Category | All Chargeability Areas (except those listed) | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | 01JAN23 | 15APR22 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | 01AUG23 | 01OCT20 | 01JAN13 | 01AUG23 | 01AUG23 |
| EB-3 | 01MAR23 | 15NOV20 | 08JUN13 | 01MAR23 | 01MAR23 |
| Other Workers | 22MAY21 | 01JAN18 | 08JUN13 | 22MAY21 | 22MAY21 |
| EB-4 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
Diversity Visa (DV) Program for December 2024
The Diversity Visa (DV) Program provides up to 55,000 visas each year to applicants from countries with low admissions to the U.S. The program has reductions due to the NACARA program, setting the DV-2025 limit at approximately 52,000 visas. For December 2024, the cut-off numbers are as follows:
| Region | Cut-Off Number | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 15,000 | Algeria, Egypt, Morocco: 10,000 |
| Asia | 3,000 | Iran, Nepal: 2,950 |
| Europe | 6,000 | Russia: 5,950; Uzbekistan: 4,900 |
| North America | 5 | Bahamas |
| Oceania | 550 | |
| South America & Caribbean | 825 |
January 2025 Diversity Visa Cut-Offs
The DV category cut-offs for January 2025 are set as follows:
| Region | Cut-Off Number | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 22,500 | Algeria, Egypt, Morocco: 22,000 |
| Asia | 5,500 | Iran: 5,400; Nepal: 3,500 |
| Europe | 12,000 | Russia: 11,750; Uzbekistan: 7,750 |
| North America | 20 | Bahamas |
| Oceania | 1,100 | |
| South America & Caribbean | 1,750 |
Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. Government Employees Abroad
The National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2024 includes provisions for certain current and former employees of the U.S. Government abroad, along with eligible spouses and children, to apply for SIVs or adjustment of status. For further assistance, applicants should contact the consular section where their Form DS-1884 was filed.
Conclusion
The December 2024 Visa Bulletin provides crucial updates for immigrants awaiting family-sponsored and employment-based visas. With specified final action and filing dates, eligible individuals can plan their next steps, while DV lottery participants should remain mindful of regional cut-offs. For the latest
information, applicants should refer to www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo or consult with a legal professional for case-specific guidance.
