Are you applying for an immigrant visa and want to know when your priority date will become current? Then you won’t want to miss our analysis of the December 2024 Visa Bulletin.
In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick explains what you can expect to see in terms of the movement of the family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories in the month of December.
USCIS Adjustment of Status
For employment-based and family-sponsored preference categories, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of December.
Highlights of the December 2024 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of December?
Employment-Based Categories
- The Final Action Date for India EB-2 will advance by two weeks to August 1, 2012
- The Final Action Date for India EB-3 will advance by one week to November 8, 2012
- All other employment-based Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing will remain the same in December as the previous month
Family-Sponsored Categories
- All family-sponsored Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing will remain the same in December as the previous month
For more details, please see our analysis of the December 2024 Visa bulletin below.
Employment-Based Categories
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s December 2024 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories in the month of December.
- No change from previous month, except for EB-2 India and EB-3 India
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will remain at February 1, 2022
- EB-1 China will remain at November 8, 2022
- EB-1 All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will advance by two weeks to August 1, 2012
- EB-2 China will remain at March 22, 2020
- EB-2 All other countries will remain at March 15, 2023
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by one week to November 8, 2012
- EB-3 China will remain at April 1, 2020
- EB-3 All other countries will remain at November 15, 2022
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by one week to November 8, 2012
- EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2017
- EB-3 Philippines will remain at December 1, 2020
- EB-3 All other countries will remain at December 1, 2020
EB-4 Religious Workers
- EB-4 All countries will remain at January 1, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- India will remain at January 1, 2022
- China will remain at July 15, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 08NOV22 | 01FEB22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15MAR23 | 22MAR20 | 01AUG12 | 15MAR23 | 15MAR23 |
| 3rd | 15NOV22 | 01APR20 | 08NOV12 | 15NOV22 | 15NOV22 |
| Other Workers | 01DEC20 | 01JAN17 | 08NOV12 | 01DEC20 | 01DEC20 |
| 4th | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 15JUL16 | 01JAN22 | 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 |
DATES FOR FILING FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s December 2024 Visa Bulletin, the Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply for adjustment of status applications filed with USCIS in December:
- No change from previous month
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will remain at April 15, 2022
- EB-1 China will remain at January 1, 2023
- EB-1 All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will remain at January 1, 2013
- EB-2 China will remain at October 1, 2020
- EB-2 All other countries will remain at August 1, 2023
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at June 8, 2013
- EB-3 China will remain at November 15, 2020
- EB-3 All other countries will remain at March 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at June 8, 2013
- EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2018
- EB-3 All other countries will remain at May 22, 2021
EB-4 Religious Workers
- EB-4 Religious Workers will remain at February 1, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- India will remain at April 1, 2022
- China will remain at October 1, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01JAN23 | 15APR22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01AUG23 | 01OCT20 | 01JAN13 | 01AUG23 | 01AUG23 |
| 3rd | 01MAR23 | 15NOV20 | 08JUN13 | 01MAR23 | 01MAR23 |
| Other Workers | 22MAY21 | 01JAN18 | 08JUN13 | 22MAY21 | 22MAY21 |
| 4th | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 01OCT16 | 01APR22 | 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 |
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s December 2024 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of December.
- No change from previous month
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will remain at November 22, 2004
- F1 Philippines will remain at March 1, 2012
- F1 All other countries will remain at October 22, 2015
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A Mexico will remain at April 15, 2021
- F2A All other countries will remain at January 1, 2022
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will remain at July 1, 2005
- F2B Philippines will remain at October 22, 2011
- F2B All other countries will remain at May 1, 2016
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at October 22, 2000
- F3 Philippines will remain at September 8, 2002
- F3 All other countries will remain at April 15, 2010
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at March 1, 2001
- F4 Philippines will remain at February 1, 2004
- F4 India will remain at March 8, 2006
- F4 All other countries will remain at August 1, 2007
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 22OCT15 | 22OCT15 | 22OCT15 | 22NOV04 | 01MAR12 |
| F2A | 01JAN22 | 01JAN22 | 01JAN22 | 15APR21 | 01JAN22 |
| F2B | 01MAY16 | 01MAY16 | 01MAY16 | 01JUL05 | 22OCT11 |
| F3 | 15APR10 | 15APR10 | 15APR10 | 22OCT00 | 08SEP02 |
| F4 | 01AUG07 | 01AUG07 | 08MAR06 | 01MAR01 | 01FEB04 |
DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s December 2024 Visa Bulletin, the Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply for adjustment of status applications filed with USCIS in the month of December.
- No change from previous month
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will remain at October 1, 2005
- F1 Philippines will remain at April 22, 2015
- F1 All other countries will remain at September 1, 2017
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A All countries will remain at July 15, 2024
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will remain at July 1, 2006
- F2B Philippines will remain at October 1, 2013
- F2B All other countries will remain at January 1, 2017
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at June 15, 2001
- F3 Philippines will remain at May 8, 2004
- F3 All other countries will remain at April 22, 2012
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 30, 2001
- F4 Philippines will remain at July 22, 2007
- F4 India will remain at August 1, 2006
- F4 All other countries will remain at March 1, 2008
Conclusion
In the months ahead, we expect to see some retrogression in the EB-3 category, and minimal movement for all other categories until the spring/summer months. Depending on policy measures or executive orders issued by the Trump administration, visa backlogs may intensify at U.S. Consulates and Embassies overseas.
To avoid delays, take action on your case now. Remain in regular contact with the National Visa Center to ensure your case is documentarily qualified. If your priority date is current and you have been waiting for interview scheduling for an unreasonable period of time, speak with an immigration attorney to discuss your options.
If you found this information helpful, please share it with your friends and family members to help them keep track of the Visa Bulletin.
Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-569-1768 or call 619-819-9204.
Helpful Links
- December Visa Bulletin
- October Visa Bulletin
- Adjustment of Status Filing Dates from Visa Bulletin
- USCIS Processing Times
- Immigrant Visa Backlog Report
- ImmigrationLawyerBlog
- ImmigrationU Membership
- Success stories
- Youtube channel
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