The US Department of State has issued its May 2024 Visa Bulletin, which delineates the per-country priority date cutoffs governing immigrant visa availability and the processing of adjustment of status and consular immigrant visa applications.
Key Points from the May 2024 Visa Bulletin:
The bulletin comprises two main charts: the Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart and the Application Final Action Dates chart. The former indicates when prospective immigrants can submit their applications for adjustment of status or immigrant visas, while the latter specifies when such applications may be approved, leading to the granting of permanent residence.
For the month of May 2024, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will adhere to the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based (EB) adjustment of status filings. This means that individuals seeking to file adjustment of status applications with the USCIS in May 2024 must refer to the Final Action Dates chart provided.
Final Action Cutoff Dates:
The chart outlines specific cutoff dates for each employment-based preference category and country. These dates determine the eligibility of foreign nationals to file EB adjustment applications in May 2024. Notably, a “C” listing indicates that the category is current, allowing applications to be filed irrespective of the applicant’s priority date.
Highlights by Preference Category:
Employment-Based First Preference (EB-1):
Cutoff dates for All Chargeability Areas, Mexico, and the Philippines will remain current, enabling eligible applicants to file their I-485 applications with the USCIS.
For China, the cutoff date remains September 1, 2022.
For India, the cutoff date remains March 1, 2021.
Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2):
Cutoff dates for All Chargeability Areas, Mexico, and the Philippines will remain January 15, 2023.
For China, the cutoff date remains February 1, 2020.
For India, the cutoff date remains April 15, 2012.
Employment-Based Third Preference (EB-3):
Cutoff dates for All Chargeability Areas, Mexico, and the Philippines will remain November 22, 2022.
For China, the cutoff date remains September 1, 2020.
For India, the cutoff date remains August 15, 2012.
Other Workers:
Cutoff dates for All Chargeability Areas and Mexico will remain October 8, 2020.
For China, the cutoff date remains January 1, 2017.
For India, the cutoff date remains August 15, 2012.
For the Philippines, the cutoff date remains May 1, 2020.
Significant Developments:
As anticipated, the Final Action Dates chart in the May 2024 Visa Bulletin reflects no advancement, aligning with the Department of State’s prediction of “very little to no forward movement in the coming months,” as indicated in its April 2024 assessment.