In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick discusses the latest updates in the March 2024 Visa Bulletin including slight advancements in the employment based categories and major movement in the family-sponsored preference categories in the month of March. We also discuss our predictions on what to expect from the Visa Bulletin in the coming months.
If you would like to know more about this topic, we invite you to watch our video.
Adjustment of Status Filing Chart March 2024
For the month of March 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will use the Dates for Filing chart for family-sponsored filings to determine eligibility for I-485 adjustment of status filings (green card filings inside the US).
For employment-based preference categories, USCIS will use the Final Action Dates chart to determine eligibility for I-485 adjustment of status filings (green card filings inside the US).
What Changes Can Be Seen Next Month?
Employment-based categories
Dates for Filing
- The March Dates for Filing remain the same as February 2024, with the exception of the employment-based fourth preference category, EB-4 which will advance by 4 months to January 1, 2020.
Movement in the Final Action Dates
The Final Action Dates Chart shows some modest advancements in some of the employment-based preference categories, specifically for:
- EB-1 China will advance by two weeks to July 15, 2022
- EB-1 India will advance by 1 month to October 1, 2020
- EB-2 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines will advance by 1 week to November 22, 2022
- EB-3 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines will advance by 1 week to September 8, 2022
- EB-3 Other Workers, Worldwide and Mexico will advance by 1 week to September 8, 2020
- EB-4 will advance by more than 6.5 months to December 1, 2019
Family-sponsored categories
Dates for Filing
- The March Dates for Filing remain the same as February 2024.
Movement in the Final Action Dates
The Final Action Dates Chart for the family-sponsored categories shows major advancements across almost all preference categories as follows:
- F1 Worldwide, China, and India will advance by more than 5 weeks to February 8, 2015
- F2A Worldwide, China, India, and the Philippines will advance by almost 4.5 months to June 22, 2020
- F2A Mexico will advance by almost 4.5 months to June 15, 2020
- F2B Worldwide, China, and India will advance by more than 7 weeks to November 22, 2015
- F3 Worldwide, China, and Mexico will advance by more than 5 months to October 1, 2009
- F4 Worldwide and China will advance by almost 2.5 weeks to June 8, 2007
- F4 India will advance by 1 month to December 15, 2005
- F4 Philippines will advance by 8 months to June 15, 2003
Prediction: The Department of State is still crunching numbers to determine the availability of visa numbers. We believe that we will not see significant movement in the visa categories until later this year, starting in either the late spring or by the summertime. However, it is still important for you to review the Visa Bulletin on a monthly basis to keep track of its progress.
Now let’s look at the charts.
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s March 2024 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories, and will determine when applicants in the United States can file adjustment of status:
- EB-1 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines will remain current
- EB-1 China will advance by two weeks to July 15, 2022
- EB-1 India will advance by 1 month to October 1, 2020
- EB-2 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines will advance by 1 week to November 22, 2022
- EB-2 China will remain at January 1, 2020
- EB-2 India will remain at March 1, 2012
- EB-3 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines will advance by 1 week to September 8, 2022
- EB-3 China will remain at September 1, 2020
- EB-3 India will remain at July 1, 2012
- EB-3 Other Workers, Worldwide and Mexico will advance by 1 week to September 8, 2020.
- EB-3 Other Workers China will remain at January 1, 2017
- EB-3 Other Workers India will remain at July 1, 2012
- EB-3 Other Workers Philippines will remain at May 1, 2020
- EB-4 will advance by more than 6.5 months to December 1, 2019
- EB-5 Unreserved China remains at December 15, 2015
- EB-5 Unreserved India remains at December 1, 2020
- All other EB-5 categories remain current
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 15JUL22 | 01OCT20 | C | C |
| 2nd | 22NOV22 | 01JAN20 | 01MAR12 | 22NOV22 | 22NOV22 |
| 3rd | 08SEP22 | 01SEP20 | 01JUL12 | 08SEP22 | 08SEP22 |
| Other Workers | 08SEP20 | 01JAN17 | 01JUL12 | 08SEP20 | 01MAY20 |
| 4th | 01DEC19 | 01DEC19 | 01DEC19 | 01DEC19 | 01DEC19 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01DEC19 | 01DEC19 | 01DEC19 | 01DEC19 | 01DEC19 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 15DEC15 | 01DEC20 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
Employment-Based March 2024 Final Action Dates
EB-1
- China: July 15, 2022 (Advancement)
- India: October 1, 2020 (Advancement)
- All other countries: Current
EB-2
- China: January 1, 2020
- India: March 1, 2012
- All other countries: November 22, 2022 (Advancement)
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- China: September 1, 2020
- India: July 1, 2012
- All other countries: September 8, 2022 (Advancement)
EB-3 Other Workers
- China: January 1, 2017
- India: July 1, 2012
- Philippines: May 1, 2020
- All other countries: September 8, 2020 (Advancement)
EB-4
- All countries: December 1, 2019 (Advancement)
EB-5 Unreserved (Regional Center and Non-Regional Center)
- China: December 15, 2015
- India: December 1, 2020
- All other countries: Current
EB-5 Set-Asides
- Rural: Current for all countries
- High Unemployment: Current for all countries
- Infrastructure: Current for all countries
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s March 2024 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories:
- F1 Worldwide, China, and India will advance by more than 5 weeks to February 8, 2015
- F1 Mexico will remain at May 1, 2001
- F1 Philippines will remain at March 1, 2012
- F2A Worldwide, China, India, and the Philippines will advance by almost 4.5 months to June 22, 2020
- F2A Mexico will advance by almost 4.5 months to June 15, 2020
- F2B Worldwide, China, and India will advance by more than 7 weeks to November 22, 2015
- F2B Mexico will remain at October 22, 2003
- F2B Philippines will remain at October 22, 2011
- F3 Worldwide, China, and Mexico will advance by more than 5 months to October 1, 2009
- F3 Mexico will remain at September 8, 1998
- F3 Philippines will remain at June 8, 2002
- F4 Worldwide and China will advance by almost 2.5 weeks to June 8, 2007
- F4 India will advance by 1 month to December 15, 2005
- F4 Philippines will advance by 8 months to June 15, 2003
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 08FEB15 | 08FEB15 | 08FEB15 | 01MAY01 | 01MAR12 |
| F2A | 22JUN20 | 22JUN20 | 22JUN20 | 15JUN20 | 22JUN20 |
| F2B | 22NOV15 | 22NOV15 | 22NOV15 | 22OCT03 | 22OCT11 |
| F3 | 01OCT09 | 01OCT09 | 01OCT09 | 08SEP98 | 08JUN02 |
| F4 | 08JUN07 | 08JUN07 | 15DEC05 | 15OCT00 | 15JUN03 |
Family Sponsored March 2024 Final Action Dates
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Mexico: May 1, 2001
- Philippines: March 1, 2012
- All other countries: February 8, 2015 (Advancement)
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- Mexico: June 15, 2020 (Advancement)
- All other countries: June 22, 2020 (Advancement)
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- Mexico: October 22, 2003
- Philippines: October 22, 2011
- All other countries: November 22, 2015 (Advancement)
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Mexico: September 8, 1998
- Philippines: June 8, 2002
- All other countries: October 1, 2009 (Advancement)
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- Mexico: October 15, 2000 (Advancement)
- India: December 15, 2005 (Advancement)
- Philippines: June 15, 2003 (Advancement)
- All other countries: June 8, 2007 (Advancement)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Final Action Date chart for the family-sponsored categories shows major milestones in nearly all preference categories. Additionally, the Final Action Date chart for the employment-based categories shows modest advancement, particularly for EB-1 India and EB-4. The Dates for Filing chart remains unchanged, except for the advancement of the EB-4 category to January 1, 2020.
USCIS will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart for family-sponsored adjustment of status filings, but will use the Final Action Date chart for employment-based adjustment of status filings. Family-sponsored applicants who qualify should submit their filings, while the Dates for Filing chart is still being used by USCIS.
Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-569-1768 or call 619-819-9204.
Helpful Links
- March 2024 Visa Bulletin
- February 2024 Visa Bulletin
- Adjustment of Status Filing Dates from Visa Bulletin
- USCIS Processing Times
- Immigrant Visa Backlog Report
- DOS Visa Services Operating Status Update
- ImmigrationLawyerBlog
- ImmigrationU Membership
- Success stories
- Youtube channel
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