US Visa Bulletin for February 2024: Check where you stand in the Green Card queue
The February 2024 Visa Bulletin from the US Department of State reveals no movement in the Dates for Filing in key employment-based categories for Indians, following significant progress in the January Bulletin. For the fifth consecutive month, US...
By ET Online | Updated:
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Green Card application: The February 2024 Visa Bulletin, released by the US Department of State, has shown no movement in the Dates for Filing in key employment-based categories for Indians.
This followed notable progress that was announced in the January Bulletin. For the fifth month in a row, USCIS will use the Dates for Filing to ascertain the eligibility of employment-based filings in February. Considering that the Final Action Dates chart typically contains more progressive cutoff dates than the Dates for Filing chart, this is great news.
The Visa Bulletin provides important information about the processing of adjustment of status applications for consular immigrant visa files and approvals, as well as the per-country priority date cutoffs that control immigrant visa availability.
The bulletin includes both a Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart and an Application Final Action Dates chart. The former guides intending immigrants on when to file applications for adjustments of status or immigrant visas, while the latter indicates when such applications may be approved, leading to the granting of permanent residence.
Every month, the USCIS decides on the chart to follow. In February 2024, the USCIS has chosen to utilize the Dates for Filing chart specifically for employment-based (EB) adjustment of status filings. This choice has consequences for those planning to submit adjustment of status applications in February 2024, as they need to consult the Dates for Filing chart.
The final action dates play a crucial role in deciding when an immigrant visa or green card application can be processed. Progress in your immigration process is contingent upon these dates, which vary based on your visa category and the country of chargeability.
FINAL ACTION DATES
DATES FOR FILING
Employment-based preferences
First: Priority Workers: 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level, along with any surplus numbers not utilized for fourth and fifth preferences.
Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Individuals of Exceptional Ability: 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not needed by the first preference.
Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide level, along with any numbers not required by the first and second preferences, with a cap of 10,000 allocated to "Other Workers."
Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the global level.
Fifth: Employment Creation: 7.1% of the global level, with 32% designated as follows: 20% set aside for qualified immigrants investing in rural areas; 10% reserved for qualified immigrants investing in high unemployment areas; and 2% reserved for qualified immigrants investing in infrastructure projects. The remaining 68% is unrestricted and allocated for all other eligible immigrants.
FINAL ACTION DATES
DATES FOR FILING
This followed notable progress that was announced in the January Bulletin. For the fifth month in a row, USCIS will use the Dates for Filing to ascertain the eligibility of employment-based filings in February. Considering that the Final Action Dates chart typically contains more progressive cutoff dates than the Dates for Filing chart, this is great news.
The Visa Bulletin provides important information about the processing of adjustment of status applications for consular immigrant visa files and approvals, as well as the per-country priority date cutoffs that control immigrant visa availability.
Highlights from the February 2024 Visa Bulletin
The bulletin includes both a Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart and an Application Final Action Dates chart. The former guides intending immigrants on when to file applications for adjustments of status or immigrant visas, while the latter indicates when such applications may be approved, leading to the granting of permanent residence.
Every month, the USCIS decides on the chart to follow. In February 2024, the USCIS has chosen to utilize the Dates for Filing chart specifically for employment-based (EB) adjustment of status filings. This choice has consequences for those planning to submit adjustment of status applications in February 2024, as they need to consult the Dates for Filing chart.
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To file an EB adjustment application in February 2024, foreign nationals must possess a priority date earlier than the listed date for their preference category and country. For categories with specific dates listed, only applicants with a priority date earlier than the specified date may submit their applications.The final action dates play a crucial role in deciding when an immigrant visa or green card application can be processed. Progress in your immigration process is contingent upon these dates, which vary based on your visa category and the country of chargeability.
Family-sponsored applications
FINAL ACTION DATES
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DATES FOR FILING
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Employment-based preferences
First: Priority Workers: 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level, along with any surplus numbers not utilized for fourth and fifth preferences.
Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Individuals of Exceptional Ability: 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not needed by the first preference.
Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide level, along with any numbers not required by the first and second preferences, with a cap of 10,000 allocated to "Other Workers."
Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the global level.
Fifth: Employment Creation: 7.1% of the global level, with 32% designated as follows: 20% set aside for qualified immigrants investing in rural areas; 10% reserved for qualified immigrants investing in high unemployment areas; and 2% reserved for qualified immigrants investing in infrastructure projects. The remaining 68% is unrestricted and allocated for all other eligible immigrants.
FINAL ACTION DATES
DATES FOR FILING
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