To avoid delays in processing while waiting for the USCIS data, the Visa Office (VO) bases allocations on reasonable estimates of the anticipated amount of visa numbers to be available under the annual limits, in accordance with Section 203(g) of the INA. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS. Talk to thousands of members on our discussion forums. F.RETROGRESSION OF INDIA EMPLOYMENT SECOND PREFERENCE (E2) FINAL ACTION ANDAPPLICATION FILING DATES FOR OCTOBER. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight December 15, 2022. A. 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.EXPIRATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT-BASED FIFTH PREFERENCE I5 AND R5 REGIONAL CENTERVISA CATEGORIES. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. A. This will result in reduction of the DV-2023 annual limit to approximately 54,850. ForSeptember, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2022 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. F.ESTABLISHMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECOND PREFERENCE FINAL ACTION AND APPLICATION FILING DATES. Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; USCIS reports applicants for adjustment of status. Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 35,525 for FY-2022. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year. E. VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT FIRST CATEGORY FOR CHINA AND INDIA For December, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. ), B. We estimate that both the final action date and the date of filing application will . Nepal 1,450. The final action dates for the I5 and R5 categories have been listed as Unavailable for January. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences. 4. 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.) If there is legislative action extending the category, it will become available effective immediately and will be subject to the same final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability. 1. (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. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly. 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. 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.) 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. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 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(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. October 2022 Visa Bulletin Predictions. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. *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. 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. Visa Bulletin Login Add another account . Based on litigation filed to prevent green . A. Visa Bulletin dates are based on supply and demand. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date. 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. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. It does not include future demand (which can increase or decrease anytime). A closer look According to the State Department's October Visa Bulletin, final action cutoff dates for issuance of an immigrant visa will be as follows: EB-1: All countries, including China and India, will remain current. (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. E.EXTENSION OF EMPLOYMENT FOURTH PREFERENCE CERTAIN RELIGIOUS WORKERS (SR) CATEGORY. If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. If there is legislative action extending this category, the December dates would be applied for the entire month. India EB2. Fifth:Employment Creation: 7.1% of the worldwide level, of which 32% are reserved as follows: 20% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a rural area; 10% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a high unemployment area; and 2% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in infrastructure projects. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during Decemberfor: 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. Without this information, it is impossible to make an official determination of the annual limits. If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000. 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. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. (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. 610 of Pub. Predictions Custom . 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. 2. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level. 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. 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. 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. Your priority date should be before this date. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. 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. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during Octoberfor: 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. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. Country Filters . 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. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. ForNovember, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. 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. The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320. For November, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. 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. ForOctober, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. Employment-based visas In 2021 there are approximately 262,000 employment-based visas. 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. 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. CA/VO:September 1, 2022. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. Beyond the detailed analysis that we shared, this has been stated numerous times by Charlie Oppenheim, who is the head of . 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. In the November 2022 Visa Bulletin, there were no changes seen to the priority dates for both India EB2 and EB3. 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. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2023 cannot be taken for granted. October 2022 Visa Bulletin Predictions. FINAL ACTION DATES FOREMPLOYMENT-BASEDPREFERENCE CASES. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30. 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.) This will result in reduction of the DV-2022 annual limit to approximately 54,850. 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. 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. 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. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. 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 4,000 USCIS Visa Bulletin for India, China employment, family - EB2 to EB3 downgrade decisions. 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.) If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. Preliminary consolidated number use by State and USCIS for all of FY-2022 shows there were approximately 57,000 unused family-sponsored visa numbers. 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. 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. 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. All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit. C.THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANTCATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFSWHICH WILL APPLY IN OCTOBER. Therefore, further corrective action has been necessary to ensure that the limited supply of visa numbers is allocated by priority date in accordance with INA 203(e). The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320. ForJanuary, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2022 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. 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. 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. The C listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicants priority date. 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. Refresh . 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. 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. 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.