June 2024 US Visa Bulletin: Updates and Implications Explained

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has unveiled the June 2024 Visa Bulletin, maintaining final action dates and filing dates across all countries of chargeability in the EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and EB-5 categories. Notably, for China and India, the EB-1 dates remain steady at September 1, 2022, and March 1, 2021, respectively.

Understanding the Visa Bulletin:

The Visa Bulletin serves as a roadmap for the Green Card journey, delineating two crucial sections: Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates. These sections aid applicants in discerning when to proceed with their filing and estimating the wait time for application approval, respectively.

Critical Points for Employment-Based Green Cards:

To file in June 2024, applicants must ensure their priority date precedes the specific date listed for their category and country in the bulletin.

Updates in Family-Based Preference Categories:

Unlike employment-based categories, USCIS will accept cases based on the Date of Filing Chart for most family-based preference categories.

Breakdown of Employment-Based Preferences:

The employment-based preferences, including EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5, cater to diverse skills and investment criteria. Each category is allocated specific percentages of the global preference level.

Annual Limits and Per-Country Restrictions:

For the fiscal year 2024, the family-sponsored preference limit is set at 226,000, with each country facing a cap of 7% of these totals to ensure equitable distribution.

Application Process and Final Action Dates (India):

Applicants need to track the Final Action Dates to understand when they might proceed with their applications. Final Action Dates for employment-based preferences in India range from March 1, 2021 (EB-1) to November 1, 2020 (EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers).

Conclusion:

The June 2024 Visa Bulletin provides crucial insights into the Green Card application process. It guides applicants on when to file and what to expect in terms of processing times. Understanding the nuances of the bulletin is essential for individuals navigating the US immigration system.