Green Card Applicants: December Visa Bulletin Unveils Key Dates

The US Department of State recently released the December 2023 Visa Bulletin, a pivotal document outlining per-country priority date cutoffs that govern immigrant visa availability and adjustment of status applications. This bulletin is essential for individuals navigating the complex immigration process.

Overview of the Visa Bulletin

On a monthly basis, the Department of State assesses the accumulation of applications in various immigrant visa categories. This information is used to predict priority dates, allowing individuals to progress to the next stage of their immigration proceedings based on their priority date.

The Bulletin’s Key Components

The Visa Bulletin comprises two crucial charts: Dates for Filing Visa Applications and Application Final Action Dates.

The former guides applicants on when to file for adjustments of status or immigrant visas, while the latter indicates when these applications may be approved, leading to the granting of permanent residence.

USCIS Decision for December 2023

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) plays a significant role in implementing the Visa Bulletin. Each month, USCIS chooses to follow either the Dates for Filing or the Application Final Action Dates chart.

For December 2023, USCIS has opted to adhere to the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based (EB) filings for adjustment of status.

Dates for Filing Final Cutoffs

To file an EB adjustment application in December 2023, foreign nationals must possess a priority date earlier than the specified date for their preference category and country. A “C” listing denotes that the category is current, allowing applications to be filed irrespective of the priority date.

Employment-Based Green Card Dates for December 2023

The “Dates for Filing” determines when individuals can begin the next step in their immigration process. Here are the highlights for December 2023:

EB-1 Category:

• India: July 1, 2019
• Mexico, the Philippines, and All Chargeability Areas: Current
• China: August 1, 2022

EB-2 Category:

• India: May 15, 2012
• All Chargeability Areas, Mexico, and the Philippines: January 1, 2023
• China: January 1, 2020

EB-3 Category:

• India: August 1, 2012
• All Chargeability Areas and Mexico: February 1, 2023
• China: September 1, 2020
• The Philippines: January 1, 2023

Other Workers Category:

• India: August 1, 2012
• All Chargeability Areas and Mexico: December 15, 2020
• China: June 1, 2017
• The Philippines: May 15, 2020

Family-Based Green Card Backlogs for Indians

For family-based green card backlogs for Indians, the final action dates are as follows:

• F-1: September 1, 2017
• F-2A: September 1, 2023
• F-2B: January 1, 2017
• F-3: March 1, 2010
• F-4: February 22, 2006

Also Read: New US Visa Policy: Incomplete DS-160 Forms Will Not Be Accepted

Final Action Dates for Key Employment-Based Visa Categories

The final action dates for November 2023 in key employment-based visa categories play a crucial role in determining when an immigrant visa or green card application can be adjudicated.

EB-1 (Employment-Based First Preference):

• All countries: Current, except for China: February 15, 2022
• India: January 1, 2017

EB-2 (Employment-Based Second Preference):

• China: October 22, 2019
• India: January 1, 2012
• All other countries: July 15, 2022

EB-3 (Employment-Based Third Preference) for Professionals and Skilled Workers:

• India: May 1, 2012
• China: January 22, 2020
• All other countries: December 1, 2021

EB-4 (Employment-Based Fourth Preference) and Certain Religious Workers:

• All countries: January 1, 2019
• EB-4 for certain Religious workers is not yet authorized for issuance and unless extended is set to expire on November 17, 2023.

EB-5 (Employment-Based Fifth Preference) for Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5):

• India: December 15, 2018
• China: October 1, 2015
• All other countries: Current

EB-5 Set-Aside Categories for Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure:

These categories remain current for all countries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, staying informed about the Visa Bulletin and understanding the specific cutoff dates is crucial for individuals navigating the immigration process. Ensure that you meet the requirements and track these dates to proceed with your green card application or immigrant visa successfully.