March 2024 Visa Bulletin Unveils Key Updates for US Immigration

The highly anticipated March 2024 US Visa Bulletin has arrived, offering mixed news for immigrants, employers, and immigration advocates. While most employment-based preference categories saw minimal movement in priority dates, Indian applicants in the EB-1 category received a welcome one-month advancement.

Understanding the Visa Bulletin

The Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the U.S. Department of State, is a crucial tool for navigating the complex U.S. immigration system. It provides insights into visa availability and priority dates for various categories and nationalities. Two key components guide applicants:

1. Procedures for Determining Dates

Consular officers and USCIS collaborate to report documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas and adjustment of status applicants, respectively.

Allocation of immigrant visas is made in chronological order of reported priority dates, with February 6th being the cutoff for demand.

Oversubscribed categories are determined based on demand exceeding numerical limits. Retrogression of final action dates may occur if necessary, and supplemental requests for numbers are honoured only within the new final action date.

2. Fiscal Year Limits

For the fiscal year 2024, the limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants is 226,000, and the annual employment-based preference limit is at least 140,000. Per-country limits are set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, with dependent area limits at 2%.

3. Preference Classes for Family-Sponsored Immigrant Visas

Preference classes for family-sponsored immigrant visas are outlined as follows:

• First Preference (F1): Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
• Second Preference (F2):
  • (F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
  • (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
• Third Preference (F3): Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
• Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

Final action dates for family-sponsored preference cases are provided, indicating oversubscribed categories and current availability:

4. Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications

Dates for filing visa applications are provided, indicating when applicants with priority dates earlier than the listed dates may submit documentation to the National Visa Center. The chart distinguishes between current categories and those with specific application dates:

5. Preference Classes for Employment-Based Immigrant Visas

Preference classes for employment-based immigrant visas are outlined as follows:

• First Preference: Priority Workers
• Second Preference: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability
• Third Preference: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
• Fourth Preference: Certain Special Immigrants
• Fifth Preference: Employment Creation

Final action dates for employment-based preference cases are provided, indicating oversubscribed categories and current availability:

6. Dates for Filing of Employment-Based Visa Applications

Similar to family-sponsored visas, dates for filing employment-based visa applications are provided, indicating when applicants with priority dates earlier than the listed dates may submit documentation to the National Visa Center:

7. Diversity Immigrant (DV) Category for March

Immigrant numbers in the DV category for March are provided, specifying regions and eligible countries along with allocation cut-off numbers. Information regarding the scheduled expiration of the employment fourth preference religious workers category is also included.

8. U.S. Government Employee Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)

Updates regarding U.S. Government Employee Special Immigrant Visas are outlined, including the impact of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 on certain current and former employees abroad.

9. Latest Information on Visa Processing

A reminder to visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs website for the latest information on visa processing at U.S. embassies and consulates is provided.

Conclusion

The March 2024 Visa Bulletin serves as a vital tool for individuals and organizations involved in U.S. immigration, offering insights and guidance amidst the complex landscape of visa availability and processing timelines.