4. No I5 or R5 visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases after June 30, 2021. 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. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. A. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. 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. Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets an annual minimum family-sponsored preference limit of 226,000. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. The fiscal year 2022 limit for employment-based preference immigrants calculated under INA 201 is 281,507. There has been a steady increase in both USCIS and Department of State demand patterns for employment-based visas during the fiscal year. 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. Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences. Your priority date should be before this date. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2023 applicants after that date. If this pattern continues, we likely will see no movement in dates for EB2 India, and a slight movement for EB3 India of 1 to 3 months. 5. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year. 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. Refresh . This will result in reduction of the DV-2023 annual limit to approximately 54,850. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date. (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. 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. 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. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. 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. Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level. EB-2: China will remain at July 1, 2018, and India will remain at September 1, 2011. 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. 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. *NOTE: For September, F2A numbersEXEMPT from per-country limitare authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority datesearlierthan 22APR19. C.THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANTCATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFSWHICH WILL APPLY IN FEBRUARY. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation. 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. Please see below for more details or click here to view in PDF format. For November, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. 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. Please see June 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. 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. J. DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASEDVISAAPPLICATIONS. H.ESTABLISHMENT OF EMPLOYMENT FOURTH CATEGORY FINAL ACTION AND APPLICATION FILING DATES FOR DECEMBER. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below. 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 SR category is subject to the same final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability. 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. Procedures for determining dates. 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. 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. B. ForOctober, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 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. 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". Your priority date should be before this date. 2. Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences. Worldwide Employment-Based preference limit: 281,507. 4. The remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants. 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. To keep track of activity around your priority date, subscribe to the Green Card Dashboard. Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences. ForDecember, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. Nepal 1,450. CA/VO:December 8, 2021. FINAL ACTION DATES FOREMPLOYMENT-BASEDPREFERENCE CASES. Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences. 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. Allocations in the charts below were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates, for demand received by September1st. 3. 4. 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. Nepal 3,200. ForNovember, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2023 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. Predictions Custom . Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2023 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2023. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2023 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2023. 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. 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. 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. *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. Allocations in the charts below were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates, for demand received by August3rd. As a result, the estimated employment-based annual limit will be 197,000 for FY-2023. Date of Filing Application - Feb 15, 2012. 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 C listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicants priority date. The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 10,150. If there is legislative action extending this category, the December dates would be applied for the entire month. The final action dates for the I5 and R5 categories have been listed as Unavailable for January. 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). B. H.R. Final Action Date - Feb 8, 2012. Please see below for more details or click here to view in PDF format. 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 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, enacted on March 15, 2022, extended the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until September 30, 2022. "Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Allocations in the charts below were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates, for demand received by December8th. 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. 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. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. 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. Number use has remained steady and is estimated to reach 75% of the overall F2A category limit in August. During the program, Mr. Oppenheim provided updated predictions for fiscal year 2022 (FY22), which begins on October 1, 2021. 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. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30. H. 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 This will result in reduction of the DV-2023 annual limit to approximately 54,850. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date. 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. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2023 cannot be taken for granted. 1. 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. Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets an annual minimum family-sponsored preference limit of 226,000. 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. 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. For Fiscal Year 2022 this reduction will be limited to approximately 150. FINAL ACTION DATES FOREMPLOYMENT-BASEDPREFERENCE CASES. 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. 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.) 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. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. 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. Date of Filing (DOF) Filing Action (FA) Predictions . 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. We estimate that both the final action date and the date of filing application will . 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. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation. 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. 5. 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. com/visa-bulletin/2022/visa . 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. 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. AVAILABILITY OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISAS DURING SEPTEMBER. 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. 6119, Further Extending Government Funding Act extended the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until February 18, 2022. If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. 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. E.VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT FIRST CATEGORY FOR CHINA AND INDIA. Employment-based visas In 2021 there are approximately 262,000 employment-based visas. All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit. 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 FOURTH PREFERENCE (SR) RELIGIOUS WORKERS CATEGORY EXTENDED. This is a change from recent predictions. In the November 2022 Visa Bulletin, there were no changes seen to the priority dates for both India EB2 and EB3. 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. Procedures for determining dates. For Fiscal Year 2022 this reduction will be limited to approximately 150. (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. Beyond the detailed analysis that we shared, this has been stated numerous times by Charlie Oppenheim, who is the head of the 'Visa . If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date. The SR category is subject to the same final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight December 15, 2022. Supply is fixed at 226,000 per year for family based (FB) categories. If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. 2. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2022 cannot be taken for granted. Division O, Title 1, Section 104 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 extended the immigrant investor pilot program until June 30, 2021. USCIS Visa Bulletin for India, China employment, family - EB2 to EB3 downgrade decisions. Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30. Beyond the detailed analysis that we shared, this has been stated numerous times by Charlie Oppenheim, who is the head of . this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. "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. 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. 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. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2023 applicants after that date. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date. DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASEDVISAAPPLICATIONS. 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. Open App in new Window > Visit the My Green Card Estimate App here. Employment-Based Visa Bulletin Cutoff Dates for Last 12 Months Visa Bulletin February 2023 Visa Bulletin January 2023 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. Disclaimer: In order to estimate dates, this Site uses the Visa Bulletin data from previous fiscal years and the current fiscal year, and make calculations about possible future dates. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. 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. We provide regular monthly updates on the most recent visa bulletin, analyze the date movements, and predict upcoming months to help answer these questions.