Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "*Other Workers". The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320. B.DIVERSITYIMMIGRANT(DV)CATEGORY FOR THE MONTHOF OCTOBER. Allocations in the charts below were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates, for demand received by August3rd. 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: 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. E.VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT FIRST CATEGORY FOR CHINA AND INDIA. J. F2A numbersSUBJECT to per-country limitare authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countriesEXCEPT MEXICOwith priority dates beginning 22APR19. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. 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. Rapid forward movements of the India E2 final action and application filing dates during FY-2022 were made to maximize number use under the unprecedented high employment limit of 281,507. Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers: A. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS. The October 2022 Visa Bulletin has been released by the USCIS, with new priority dates listed for the month of October. This will result in reduction of the DV-2022 annual limit to approximately 54,850. B. 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 NACARA stipulates that beginning with DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program. Procedures for determining dates. FINAL ACTION DATES FORFAMILY-SPONSOREDPREFERENCE CASES, On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASEDVISAAPPLICATIONS. *Employment Third Preference Other Workers Category: Section 203(e) of the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997, as amended by Section 1(e) of Pub. 610 of Pub. ForFebruary, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2022 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. 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. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website atwww.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo,individuals seeking to file applications for adjustment of status with USCIS in the Department of Homeland Security must use the Final Action Dates charts below for determining when they can file such applications. Section 203(a) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Family-sponsored immigrant visas as follows: First:(F1)Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference. The key of our short-term prediction is that there will be no 'forward movement' for F4-All Countries until at least the summer of 2022, and most likely no movement until the end of fiscal year 2022 in September 2022. 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 4.A.) Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30. Your priority date should be before this date. Due to patterns we have seen in the past, the USCIS typically tries to narrow the gap between India EB2 and EB3 priority dates. FINAL ACTION DATES FOREMPLOYMENT-BASEDPREFERENCE CASES. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below. CA/VO:October 3, 2022. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year. 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. When USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for the fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, USCIS will state on its website that applicants may instead use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications charts in this Bulletin. A. 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. B. Allocations in the charts below were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates, for demand received by September1st. B.DIVERSITYIMMIGRANT(DV)CATEGORY FOR THE MONTHOF NOVEMBER. FINAL ACTION DATES FORFAMILY-SPONSOREDPREFERENCE CASES, On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly. Get Your Timeline or Message Us Immigration Planner: Results in Minutes not Months FAQ 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. 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. If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date. 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. ), B. You can estimate your own green card date based on the same AI algorithm which we use for predicting visa bulletins. ForOctober, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for the fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, USCIS will state on its website that applicants may instead use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications charts in this Bulletin. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. com/visa-bulletin/2022/visa . 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 SR category is listed as Unavailable for all countries for October. The results of the October 2022 Visa Bulletin were not only frustrating for potential green card applicants, but also shocking. 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. Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers: A. ), B. The State Department is required to make the determination of the worldwide numerical limitations, as outlined in Section 201(c) and (d) of the INA, on an annual basis. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website atwww.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo,individuals seeking to file applications for adjustment of status with USCIS in the Department of Homeland Security must use the Final Action Dates charts below for determining when they can file such applications. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation. Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference. Please see September 2022 Visa Bulletin Predictions below (for both Family Based and Employment Based categories for all countries): Family Based: Final Action Dates Dates For Filing Applications "Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320. Philippines - Next Month's Predictions Latest Published Visa Bulletin India F4 - Next Month's Prediction Latest Published F4 Visa Bulletin Gain access to 20+ year prediction for your personal timeline or message us with a question. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date. It marked the beginning of the government's 2023 fiscal year, and a retrogression in India's EB2 category of over 2 years and 8 months was simply not expected, even by experts in the field. This will result in reduction of the DV-2023 annual limit to approximately 54,850. Please see December 2022 Visa Bulletin Predictions below (for both Family Based and Employment Based categories for all countries): "Final Action Date" is the date when when. For all family-sponsored preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for February 2023. 2. 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. If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. As a result, most employment-based preference category limits and/or the overall employment-based preference limit forFY 2022 are expected to be reached during September. * Note: Dates in red indicate that priority went backwards instead of forwards which is known as retrogression. 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. 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. 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. The NACARA stipulates that beginning with DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program. Visas issued prior to that date will be valid only until December 15, 2022, and all individuals seeking admission in the non-minister special immigrant category must be admitted (repeat admitted) into the United States no later than midnight December 15, 2022. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart 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. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which is earlier than the listed date may file their application. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which is earlier than the listed date may file their application. The situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments made accordingly. 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. Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. Higher than expected demand in the Employment Fourth category for El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras may necessitate corrective action to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the Fiscal Year 2023 annual limit. 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. Visa Bulletin Application Final Action Dates March 2023 Shown below are the visa bulletin cutoff dates for the last 12 months from today. 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 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. November 2022 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from November 1 to November 30 only). The fiscal year 2022 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants determined in accordance with Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is 226,000. 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. Final Action Date - Feb 8, 2012. High demand in the Employment Fourth category may necessitate the establishment of a worldwide final action date in the coming months to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the Fiscal Year 2023 annual limit. On August 2nd, USCIS provided the required data to the VO. 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. When USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for the fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, USCIS will state on its website that applicants may instead use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications charts in this Bulletin. 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. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website atwww.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo,individuals seeking to file applications for adjustment of status with USCIS in the Department of Homeland Security must use the Final Action Dates charts below for determining when they can file such applications. 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. As a result, the estimated employment-based annual limit will be 197,000 for FY-2023. USCIS Visa Bulletin for India, China employment, family - EB2 to EB3 downgrade decisions. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date. 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.SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF EMPLOYMENT FOURTH PREFERENCE (SR) RELIGIOUS WORKERSCATEGORY. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2023 applicants after that date. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Preliminary consolidated number use by State and USCIS for all of FY-2022 shows there were approximately 57,000 unused family-sponsored visa numbers. Visas issued prior to that date will be valid only until September 29, 2022, and all individuals seeking admission in the non-minister special immigrant category must be admitted (repeat admitted) into the United States no later than midnight September 29, 2022. Therefore, it has become necessary to establish a final . 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. Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference. C.THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANTCATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFSWHICH WILL APPLY IN FEBRUARY. It was necessary to retrogress the final action date for the China-mainland born Employment-Based Fifth Preference unreserved categories due to heavy demand for numbers, primarily for visa issuances abroad. Nepal 1,700. Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2023 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2023. 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.) These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. The NACARA stipulates that beginning with DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program. For October, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2023 program ends as of September 30, 2023. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. 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. This will result in reduction of the DV-2023 annual limit to approximately 54,850. Your priority date should be before . 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. 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. Due to heavy applicant demand and significantly lower visa number availability for India E2 for FY-2023, corrective action was taken in October to keep number use within the maximum allowed under the FY-2023 annual limits. Procedures for determining dates. A. ), B. ), B. Nepal 1,450. 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. G.RETROGRESSION OF INDIA EMPLOYMENT SECOND PREFERENCE FINAL ACTION ANDAPPLICATION FILING DATES FOR DECEMBER. Please see below for more details or click here to view in PDF format. If there is legislative action extending this category for January, the final action dates would immediately become Current for January for all countries except China-mainland born I5 and R5, which would be subject to a November 22, 2015 final action date. As readers were warned may happen in Item G of the October 2022 Visa Bulletin, high demand in the Employment Fourth category has necessitated the establishment of a worldwide final action date and application filing date for December to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the FY-2023 annual limit. 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 4.A.) C.THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANTCATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFSWHICH WILL APPLY IN OCTOBER. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSOREDVISA APPLICATIONS. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart 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. 2. Based on litigation filed to prevent green . DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. L. 105-139, provides that once the Employment Third Preference Other Worker (EW) cut-off date has reached the priority date of the latest EW petition approved prior to November 19, 1997, the 10,000 EW numbers available for a fiscal year are to be reduced by up to 5,000 annually beginning in the following fiscal year.