USCIS has introduced new policy guidance for the EB-1 visa, clarifying evidence requirements for individuals with extraordinary abilities. The updates provide clearer criteria for team awards, memberships, published material, and exhibitions, simplifying the application process for highly skilled professionals.
The October 2024 U.S. Visa Bulletin brings good news for green card applicants, especially in the employment-based categories. The most notable development is the substantial advancement in the final action date for EB-3 Worldwide, which has moved forward by nearly two years. This means that more applicants in this category can now move forward with their cases.
The U.S. Department of State has announced that all available EB-2 visas for fiscal year 2024 have been exhausted. This means no further visas will be granted under this category until October 1, 2024. The announcement has significant implications for employers and prospective workers seeking to immigrate to the U.S. through the EB-2 program.
The United States is tightening its immigration policies, making it more challenging for students and workers to pursue opportunities in the country. Recent changes to visa rules, including significant fee hikes and stricter regulations, are affecting the flow of international talent.
India-US travel is facing hurdles due to prolonged visa wait times and limited direct flights. Despite recent improvements, the industry is pushing for further reductions to boost tourism between the two nations.
The U.S. State Department has confirmed the exhaustion of EB-5 unreserved visas for FY 2024. This means that embassies and consulates will not issue visas in these categories for the rest of the fiscal year.
The US Visa Bulletin for September 2024 reveals significant delays in green card processing for EB-3 applicants. Countries like Mexico and the Philippines face a one-year retrogression, while applicants from India and China remain unaffected.
Kolkata emerges as the fastest U.S. visa processing center in India, offering wait times as low as 24 days, while other consulates face delays up to 477 days. USCIS also announces a second H-1B visa lottery for fiscal year 2025, providing another chance for applicants.
The US has taken a significant step towards attracting top global talent by expediting visa processing for international college graduates with job offers. While this move is seen as a positive development to address labor shortages, the ongoing challenges with the H-1B visa cap remain a concern.
USCIS has confirmed that a second lottery will be conducted to select additional H-1B visa registrations for the fiscal year 2025. This comes after the initial selection failed to meet the annual cap. While there will be no second lottery for the master’s cap, those selected for the regular cap will be notified through their USCIS online accounts.
