), B. October 2022 Visa Bulletin Predictions. Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSOREDVISA APPLICATIONS. Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level. If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. August 2023 Visa Bulletin Predictions. To keep track of activity around your priority date, subscribe to the Green Card Dashboard. I.VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT FOURTH CATEGORY FOR EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, AND HONDURAS. Open App in new Window > Visit the My Green Card Estimate App here. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date. Upcoming Visa Bulletin March 2023 USCIS, in coordination with Department of State (State), is revising the procedures for determining visa availability for applicants waiting to file for employment-based or family-sponsored preference adjustment of status. DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASEDVISAAPPLICATIONS. B. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. Employment-Based Visa Bulletin Cutoff Dates for Last 12 Months Visa Bulletin February 2023 Visa Bulletin January 2023 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. 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.EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE ANNUAL LIMIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. October 2022 Visa Bulletin Predictions. As readers were warned may happen in Item E of the November 2022 Visa Bulletin, it has become necessary to establish a worldwide Employment Second Preference final action and application filing dates effective in December to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the FY-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. 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. 3. Preliminary consolidated number use by State and USCIS for all of FY-2022 shows there were approximately 57,000 unused family-sponsored visa numbers. E. VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT FIRST CATEGORY FOR CHINA AND INDIA There has been a steady increase in both USCIS and Department of State demand patterns for employment-based visas during the fiscal year. 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. Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences. If it becomes necessary during the monthly allocation process to retrogress a final action date, supplemental requests for numbers will be honored only if the priority date falls within the new final action date announced in this bulletin. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2023 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2023. Procedures for determining dates. 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. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year. 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. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 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. ), B. 6833, enacted on September 30, 2022, extended the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until December 16, 2022. The remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants. 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.) If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date. 4. 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. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSOREDVISA APPLICATIONS. Nepal 1,450. Let's take a deeper dive into the results of the bulletin and what this means for green card hopefuls. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date. 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. Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences. 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. 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. F2A numbersSUBJECT to per-country limitare authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countriesEXCEPT MEXICOwith priority dates beginning 22APR19. You can leave the options as default. EB-2: India will advance by 4 months to May 1, 2013, and China will remain at March 1, 2019. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers duringJanuaryfor: 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. 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. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2023 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2023. 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., 25,620. 5. USCIS Visa Bulletin for India, China employment, family - EB2 to EB3 downgrade decisions. 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(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. E.RETROGRESSION OF CHINA-MAINLAND BORN FINAL ACTION DATE AND IMPOSITION OF INDIAFINAL ACTION DATE IN THE EMPLOYMENT-BASED FIFTH PREFERENCE UNRESERVED CATEGORIES(INCLUDING C5, T5, I5, AND R5). As a result, the estimated employment-based annual limit will be 197,000 for FY-2023. The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000. 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. 4. F1: Family-Sponsored First Preference (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens) F2A: Family-Sponsored Second Preference, Subcategory A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) F2B: Family-Sponsored Second Preference, Subcategory B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents) The most notable change is with India EB2's Final Action Date, which has regressed more than 2 years and 8 months. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2023 program ends as of September 30, 2023. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASEDVISAAPPLICATIONS. A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets an annual minimum family-sponsored preference limit of 226,000. 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. 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.) 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. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during January 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. 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. B. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year. 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. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation. 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. com/visa-bulletin/2022/visa . 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. 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. With FY23 starting in a few weeks, Mr. Parker also provided predictions on what to expect in the October 2022 Visa Bulletin. US Dept of State Work-Sponsored Visa Bulletin Predictions for September 2022 All Charge-ability Areas Except Those Listed Mainland China India Mexico Philippines Need help? Under INA Section 202(a), the per-country limit is fixed at 7% of the family and employment annual limits. 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. 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. 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". In the November 2022 Visa Bulletin, there were no changes seen to the priority dates for both India EB2 and EB3. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS. 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. Nepal 1,450. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. Get Your Timeline or Message Us Immigration Planner: Results in Minutes not Months FAQ 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: Except: Iran 3,000 Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30. 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. Back to Green Card Discussion Forum (I-140) Ask a Lawyer. For FY-2022 the per-country limit is 35,525. 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. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2023 applicants after that date. ForDecember, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSOREDVISA APPLICATIONS. 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". For all family-sponsored preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for February 2023. 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. 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. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2022 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2022. 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. A. Each FB and EB categories has sub categories (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4, EB1, EB2, EB3, EB4, EB5) which has its own quota.