This will result in reduction of the DV-2022 annual limit to approximately 54,850. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. 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. 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. There has been a steady increase in both USCIS and Department of State demand patterns for employment-based visas during the fiscal year. 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. 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. ForDecember, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. *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. 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. DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASEDVISAAPPLICATIONS. Allocations in the charts below were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates, for demand received by August3rd. Talk to thousands of members on our discussion forums. A. 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? Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2022 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2022. Your priority date should be before this date. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2022 cannot be taken for granted. The remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants. 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 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. A. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 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. Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. 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. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2023 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2023. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets an annual minimum family-sponsored preference limit of 226,000. 2. November 2022 Visa Bulletin Predictions. B. In the November 2022 Visa Bulletin, there were no changes seen to the priority dates for both India EB2 and EB3. Please see below for more details or click here to view in PDF format. 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.) 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. 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. 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. Nepal 1,450. 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. 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. Back to Green Card Discussion Forum (I-140) Ask a Lawyer. 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. *NOTE: For September, F2A numbersEXEMPT from per-country limitare authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority datesearlierthan 22APR19. 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. H.R. 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. 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. 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 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. Employment-based visas In 2021 there are approximately 262,000 employment-based visas. 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 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. For November, 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. 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. (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 C listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicants priority date. Back to Green Card Discussion Forum (I-140) Ask a Lawyer. 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. Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. Allocations in the charts below were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates, for demand received by November 10th. Let's take a deeper dive into the results of the bulletin and what this means for green card hopefuls. Except for El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, all countries are subject to a final action date of 22JUN22 and an application filing date of 22JUL22. This is a change from recent predictions. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year. The remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. 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. 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. 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. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation. A. The remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants. A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year. "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. The situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments made accordingly. H.R. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly. 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. 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). 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. 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". It is 140,000 per year for employment based (EB) categories + any unused visas in FB categories. FINAL ACTION DATES FOREMPLOYMENT-BASEDPREFERENCE CASES. 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. These calculations are based in part on data provided by U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding the number of immediate relative adjustments in the preceding year and the number of aliens paroled into the United States under Section 212(d)(5) in the second preceding year. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below. If there is no legislative action extending this category, the category will become Unavailable effective December 16, 2022. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation. 610 of Pub. Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences. 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.) For January, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. The results are estimates and for your informational use only, and we specifically disclaim the accuracy of the information provided. Your priority date should be before this date. 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.) 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. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. C.THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANTCATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFSWHICH WILL APPLY IN JANUARY. 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. B. 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. Procedures for determining dates. No I5 or R5 visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases after June 30, 2021. C.THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANTCATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFSWHICH WILL APPLY IN OCTOBER. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during Septemberfor: 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. As a result, the estimated employment-based annual limit will be 197,000 for FY-2023. Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences. 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. Please see below for more details or click here to view in PDF format. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2022 cannot be taken for granted. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2023 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2023. Employment Family . 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. 6119, Further Extending Government Funding Act extended the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until February 18, 2022. Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets an annual minimum family-sponsored preference limit of 226,000. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30. 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 situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments made accordingly. For Fiscal Year 2022 this reduction will be limited to approximately 150. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSOREDVISA APPLICATIONS. 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. 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. 1. 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 Based on litigation filed to prevent green . The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. You can estimate your own green card date based on the same AI algorithm which we use for predicting visa bulletins. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. B.DIVERSITYIMMIGRANT(DV)CATEGORY FOR THE MONTHOF NOVEMBER. ForJanuary, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2022 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. 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. 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. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2023 program ends as of September 30, 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.SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF EMPLOYMENT FOURTH PREFERENCE (SR) RELIGIOUS WORKERSCATEGORY. If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. For FY-2022 the per-country limit is 35,525. 5. 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. 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. 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. 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. Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second 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. 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. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSOREDVISA APPLICATIONS. The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. 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. Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. This will result in reduction of the DV-2023 annual limit to approximately 54,850. Under INA Section 202(a), the per-country limit is fixed at 7% of the family and employment annual limits. 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. The final action dates for the I5 and R5 categories have been listed as Unavailable for January. On August 2nd, USCIS provided the required data to the VO. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. Visa Bulletin Range * to Categories to Graph Category 1 * Category 2 * Category 3 Category 4 Fields marked as * are required. January 2022 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from January 1 to January 31 only). 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. 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 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 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. C.THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANTCATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFSWHICH WILL APPLY IN FEBRUARY. Nepal 3,200. 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. 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. 5. 5. USCIS Visa Bulletin for India, China employment, family - EB2 to EB3 downgrade decisions. 1. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. 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. All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit. 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. Increased demand in the Employment Second 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. Nepal 1,700. 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. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during October 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. A. ForNovember, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. Register Now Login Sign Up Login Back to Green Card Discussion Forum (I-140) Ask a Lawyer Show decent postsShow all posts 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: D.EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE ANNUAL LIMIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023. 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. 4. 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. 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. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. 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 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. Open App in new Window > Visit the My Green Card Estimate App here. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. Due to patterns we have seen in the past, the USCIS typically tries to narrow the gap between India EB2 and EB3 priority dates. Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level. 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. 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. 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. 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.