India Makes Significant Advances in EB-1 and EB-2 Categories, While EB-3 Preference for Other Countries Faces Retrogression

After months of minimal changes in employment-based Green Card categories, the July Visa Bulletin shows significant progress. India has advanced by 11 months in the EB-1 category and two months in the EB-2 category. However, the EB-3 preference for Other Countries has faced retrogression.

While Indian applicants celebrate the unexpected advancements, other categories experience either retrogression or minimal movement.

Key Takeaways from the July 2024 US Visa Bulletin

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) July Bulletin continues to use official terminology to differentiate between ‘dates for filing’ and ‘final action dates.’

– Dates for Filing : This timeline determines when an application is eligible. To proceed with the next steps in the application process, your priority date must be on or before the cut-off date listed for your visa category and country.

– Final Action Dates : These dates indicate the estimated time when your application will be approved.

Employment-Based Preferences

1. Priority Workers (EB-1) : 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level, plus surplus numbers from the fourth and fifth preferences.
2. Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees / Persons of Exceptional Ability (EB-2) : 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers left over by the first preference.
3. Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers (EB-3) : 28.6% of the global level, plus any numbers left over by the first and second preferences, with 10,000 visas allotted to ‘Other Workers.’
4. Certain Special Immigrants (EB-4) : 7.1% of the global level, with 32% allocated as follows:

   – 20% for qualified immigrants investing in rural areas

   – 10% for qualified immigrants investing in high unemployment areas

   – 2% for qualified immigrants in infrastructure projects

   The remaining 68% is unreserved and available for all eligible immigrants.

5. Employment Creation (EB-5) : 7.1% of the worldwide level.

Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Cases : 

Dates for Filing Employment-Based Visa Applications :

Family-Based Applications

– F1 : Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (23,400 plus any numbers left over from the fourth preference).
– Second Preference :
– F2A : Spouses and children of permanent residents (77% of the overall second preference, with 75% exempt from the per-country limit).
– F2B : Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years or older) of permanent residents (23% of the overall second preference).
– F3 : Married sons and daughters of US citizens (23,400 plus any numbers left over from the first and second preferences).
– F4 : Brothers and sisters of adult US citizens (65,000 plus any surplus numbers from the first three preferences).

Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Applications :