Increased demand and number use in the Employment First category, combined with decreased visa number availability for FY-2023 compared to FY-2022, will most likely necessitate the establishment of final action dates and application filing dates for China and India in the coming months to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the FY-2023 annual limits. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2022 cannot be taken for granted. The EB1 category is expected to remain current for all countries of chargeability, while EB2 and EB3 should remain current for all countries other than India and China. SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF EMPLOYMENT FOURTH PREFERENCE CERTAIN RELIGIOUS WORKERS (SR) CATEGORY. If at any time an annual limit were reached, it would be necessary to immediately make the preference category unavailable, and no further requests for numbers would be honored. The SR category is listed as current for all countries for January except El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, which are subject to a March 15, 2019 final action date, and Mexico, which is subject to an April 1, 2020 final action date. Predictions Custom . Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbersBELOWthe specified allocation cut-off number: Except: Iran 2,500 ForDecember, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. Section 203(b) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Employment-based immigrant visas as follows: First: Priority Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences. Section 203(c) of the INA provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year to permit additional immigration opportunities for persons from countries with low admissions during the previous five years. The SR category is subject to the same final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability. The final action date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits. 3. 27 Aug 2021 The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently held its monthly YouTube program with Charlie Oppenheim, Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division. Since the EW final action date reached November 19, 1997 during Fiscal Year 2001, the reduction in the EW annual limit to 5,000 began in Fiscal Year 2002. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during September for: "Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing Applications," indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center. (F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents: 77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit; B. Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight December 15, 2022. F. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV, Department of State Publication 9514 Entitlement to immigrant status in the DV category lasts only through the end of the fiscal (visa) year for which the applicant is selected in the lottery. ForJanuary, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2022 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. The key of our prediction is that there will be no 'forward movement' for F1-All Countries until at least the summer of 2022, and most likely no movement until the end of fiscal year 2022 in September 2022. Visa Bulletin Range * to Categories to Graph Category 1 * Category 2 * Category 3 Category 4 Fields marked as * are required. Pursuant to the continuing resolution, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on February 18, 2022. Section 203(b) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Employment-based immigrant visas as follows: First: Priority Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. In the November 2022 Visa Bulletin, there were no changes seen to the priority dates for both India EB2 and EB3. Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences. INA Section 203(e) provides that family-sponsored and employment-based preference visas be issued to eligible immigrants in the order in which a petition in behalf of each has been filed. Procedures for determining dates. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2023 cannot be taken for granted. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. However, higher than expected levels of demand in the Employment First and Employment Second categories has materialized this year, and as a result, fewer additional numbers will be available to India in the Employment Second category than originally estimated when the October and November final action and application filing dates were established. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date. Readers were advised in item G of the June 2022 Visa Bulletin that due to steady number use in the F2A category, a final action date might need to be established as early as August. Nepal 1,450. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. Here you will find Visa Bulletin Predictions based on the State Department official's analyses and questions answers, showing which green card application can move forward. Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Please see August 2023 Visa Bulletin Predictions below (for both Family Based and Employment Based categories for all countries): "Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. F.FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV, Department of State Publication 9514 Get Your Timeline or Message Us Immigration Planner: Results in Minutes not Months FAQ At this time, the consensus among many different trusted sources is that we will not see any priority date movement for India EB2 or EB3 in December's Visa Bulletin release. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. 1. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. Since the EW final action date reached November 19, 1997 during Fiscal Year 2001, the reduction in the EW annual limit to 5,000 began in Fiscal Year 2002. This month, we'll go over the March 2023 visa bulletin. August 2023 Visa Bulletin Predictions. Your priority date should be before this date. The visa prorating provisions of Section 202(e) apply to allocations for a foreign state or dependent area when visa demand exceeds the per-country limit. E.VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT SECOND CATEGORY. Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. 6833, enacted on September 30, 2022, extended the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until December 16, 2022. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart below may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of States National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. August 2022 Visa Bulletin Predicted Priority Dates for India EB3. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2023 cannot be taken for granted. Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level. Section 203(d) provides that spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, if accompanying or following to join the principal. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during Novemberfor: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications, indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2022 cannot be taken for granted. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. As a result, the estimated employment-based annual limit will be 197,000 for FY-2023. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbersBELOWthe specified allocation cut-off number: D. AVAILABILITY OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISAS DURING SEPTEMBER. Section 203(d) provides that spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, if accompanying or following to join the principal. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. G.RETROGRESSION OF INDIA EMPLOYMENT SECOND PREFERENCE FINAL ACTION ANDAPPLICATION FILING DATES FOR DECEMBER. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. The C listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicants priority date. During the program, Mr. Oppenheim provided updated predictions for fiscal year 2022 (FY22), which begins on October 1, 2021. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, enacted on March 15, 2022, extended the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until September 30, 2022. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences. No I5 or R5 visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases after June 30, 2021. Allocations in the charts below were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates, for demand received by October 3rd. This will result in reduction of the DV-2023 annual limit to approximately 54,850. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of February 17, 2022, and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted (repeat, admitted) into the U.S. no later than midnight February 17, 2022. The visa prorating provisions of Section 202 (e) apply to allocations for a foreign state or dependent area when visa demand exceeds the per-country limit. In addition, sufficient India demand has materialized in the Employment-Based Fifth Preference unreserved categories to require the imposition of a final action date for October. Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 5.A.) It does not include future demand (which can increase or decrease anytime). DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSOREDVISA APPLICATIONS. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2022 program ends as of September 30, 2022. Disclaimer: In order to estimate dates, this Site uses the Visa Bulletin data from previous fiscal years and the current fiscal year, and make calculations about possible future dates. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. This will result in reduction of the DV-2022 annual limit to approximately 54,850. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date. Worldwide Employment-Based preference limit: 281,507. ), B. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation. The October 2022 Visa Bulletin has been released by the USCIS, with new priority dates listed for the month of October. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly. E.EXTENSION OF EMPLOYMENT FOURTH PREFERENCE CERTAIN RELIGIOUS WORKERS (SR) CATEGORY. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2023 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2023. This is a change from recent predictions. India EB2 has been moving slightly each month, so we do expect to see another movement in this category. During an interview with Charlie Oppenheim of the State Department, the following statements and predictions were made in relation to employment-based and family-based categories. As a result, heavy applicant demand has materialized and coupled with significantly lower visa number availability for India E2 for FY-2023 as compared to FY-2022, corrective action was required to keep number use within the maximum allowed under the FY-2023 annual limits. Since the EW final action date reached November 19, 1997 during Fiscal Year 2001, the reduction in the EW annual limit to 5,000 began in Fiscal Year 2002. FINAL ACTION DATES FOREMPLOYMENT-BASEDPREFERENCE CASES. H.R. Heavy China-mainland born and India demand along with lower visa number availability for FY-2023 as compared to FY-2021 and FY-2022 has made these corrective actions necessary to keep number use within the maximum allowed under the FY-2023 annual limits.