The results of the October 2022 Visa Bulletin were not only frustrating for potential green card applicants, but also shocking. Visa Bulletin Application Final Action Dates March 2023 Shown below are the visa bulletin cutoff dates for the last 12 months from today. 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. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date. Back to Green Card Discussion Forum (I-140) Ask a Lawyer. H.R. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2023 cannot be taken for granted. 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.) 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 B.DIVERSITYIMMIGRANT(DV)CATEGORY FOR THE MONTHOF OCTOBER. 5. 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. 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. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year. Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets an annual minimum family-sponsored preference limit of 226,000. ForNovember, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. 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. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2022 applicants after that date. DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASEDVISAAPPLICATIONS. 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 In the November 2022 Visa Bulletin, there were no changes seen to the priority dates for both India EB2 and EB3. 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. ), B. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly. 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. 7 eleven store locations; E. VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT FIRST CATEGORY FOR CHINA AND INDIA * Note: Dates in red indicate that priority went backwards instead of forwards which is known as retrogression. This will result in reduction of the DV-2023 annual limit to approximately 54,850. The situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments made accordingly. "Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. 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. 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. (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. 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? This month, we'll go over the March 2023 visa bulletin. Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences. The situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments made accordingly. The Department of State has determined the Family and Employment preference numerical limits for FY-2022 in accordance with the terms of Section 201 of the INA. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below. Each FB and EB categories has sub categories (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4, EB1, EB2, EB3, EB4, EB5) which has its own quota. 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. *NOTE: For September, F2A numbersEXEMPT from per-country limitare authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority datesearlierthan 22APR19. DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASEDVISAAPPLICATIONS. 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 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. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, enacted on March 15, 2022, extended the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until September 30, 2022. 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. 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 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. Based on litigation filed to prevent green . F2A numbersSUBJECT to per-country limitare authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countriesEXCEPT MEXICOwith priority dates beginning 22APR19. "In the October 2022 Visa Bulletin, a final action date and application filing date were established in the Employment Fifth Preference Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, and R5) category for India to keep number use within the maximum allowed under the FY2023 annual limit. 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. 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. For Employment-Based Preference Filings: For all employment-based preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for February 2023. 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. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly. 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. K. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATESDURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITEAT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV. If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. October 2022 Visa Bulletin Predictions. According to the Department of State's March 2022 Visa Bulletin, the following final action cutoff dates will apply for the issuance of an immigrant visa for employment-based categories: EB-1: All countries, including India and China, will remain current. 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. Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences. The SR category is listed as Unavailable for all countries for October. DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASEDVISAAPPLICATIONS. 4. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight September 29, 2022. H.R. 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. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. June 2023 Visa Bulletin Predictions. If there is legislative action extending this category, the December dates would be applied for the entire month. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. Preliminary consolidated number use by State and USCIS for all of FY-2022 shows there were approximately 57,000 unused family-sponsored visa numbers. August 2022 Visa Bulletin Predicted Priority Dates for India EB3. Predictions for Start of FY22 Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets an annual minimum family-sponsored preference limit of 226,000. You can leave the options as default. 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). E.VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT SECOND CATEGORY. ), B. 1. USCIS August 2022 Adjustment of Status Filing Charts Family Based Sponsorship Final Action Dates August 2022 Trends in comparison to last month (July 2022) F1 China: December 1, 2014 A. 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. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date. Employment Family . 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 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. 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. 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. ForJanuary, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2022 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. (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. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 4. Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. The SR category is subject to the same final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability. Visa Bulletin Range * to Categories to Graph Category 1 * Category 2 * Category 3 Category 4 Fields marked as * are required. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date. 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. CA/VO:October 3, 2022. 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. The results are estimates and for your informational use only, and we specifically disclaim the accuracy of the information provided. 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 remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants. B.DIVERSITYIMMIGRANT(DV)CATEGORY FOR THE MONTHOF DECEMBER. 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. H.ESTABLISHMENT OF EMPLOYMENT FOURTH CATEGORY FINAL ACTION AND APPLICATION FILING DATES FOR DECEMBER. 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.) 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. 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. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. 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. 6833, enacted on September 30, 2022, extended the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until December 16, 2022. 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. 4. 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. 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.) 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. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. Fifth: Employment Creation: 7.1% of the worldwide level, not less than 3,000 of which reserved for investors in a targeted rural or high-unemployment area, and 3,000 set aside for investors in regional centers by Sec. 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. ForSeptember, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2022 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2022 program ends as of September 30, 2022. *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. As a result, the estimated employment-based annual limit will be 197,000 for FY-2023. 1. Nepal 1,450. Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets an annual minimum family-sponsored preference limit of 226,000. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly. The situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments made accordingly. 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.