March 2024 US Visa Bulletin: Progress for EB-1 Indian Green Card applicants
Following the monthly publication from the US State Department about green card applications, the latest March 2024 Visa Bulletin offers an in-depth analysis of the various immigrant visas and their application dates. The chart takes you through the country-specific details about preference categories regarding visa accessibility. The Dates for Filing Visa Applications and Final Action Dates charts mark the much-needed progression of the process.
Indian Green Card applicants have been served good news as despite the stagnant progression of the February bulletin, the March 2024 chart matches advancement in the EB-1 category. On the other hand, EB-2 and EB-3 are stuck in the slow-moving stage.
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Foreign nationals filing for EB adjustment application in the upcoming month must have a priority date earlier than the one mentioned under their country-specifc preference category. Check out the March Visa Bulletin:
Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored applications:
Family-Sponsored preferences:
First (F1): Includes unmarried sons + daughters of US citizens [23,400 + numbers left out by fourth preference].
Second: Spouse and children + unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents
- F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents - 77% of overall 2nd preference , out of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit.
- F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years or older) of Permanent Residents - 23% of overall 2nd preference
Third (F3): Married Sons + Daughters of US Citizens - 23,400 + numbers left out by first and second preferences
Fourth (F4): Brothers and Sisters of Adult US Citizens - 65,000 + surplus numbers of first three preferences.
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Family-Sponsored | India | China - mainland born | Mexico | Philippines |
F1 | February 8, 2015 | February 8, 2015 | May 1, 2001 | March 1, 2012 |
F2A | June 22, 2020 | June 22, 2020 | June 15, 2020 | June 22, 2020 |
F2B | November 22, 2015 | November 22, 2015 | October 22, 2003 | October 22, 2011 |
F3 | October 1, 2009 | October 1, 2009 | September 8, 1998 | June 8, 2002 |
F4 | June 8, 2007 | June 8, 2007 | October 15, 2000 | June 15, 2003 |
Dates for filing visa applications:
Family-Sponsored | India | China - mainland born | Mexico | Philippines |
F1 | September 1, 2017 | September 1, 2017 | April 1, 2005 | April 22, 2015 |
F2A | September 1, 2023 | September 1, 2023 | September 1, 2023 | September 1, 2023 |
F2B | January 1, 2017 | January 1, 2017 | August 1, 2004 | October 1, 2013 |
F3 | March 1, 2010 | March 1, 2010 | June 15, 2001 | November 8, 2003 |
F4 | February 22, 2006 | March 1, 2008 | April 15, 2001 | April 22, 2004 |
Employment-Based preferences
The Employment-based immigrant visas have been allotted preference classes according to the Section 203(b) of the INA as follows:
First: Marked as Priority Workers - 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level + left out numbers of fourth and fifth preferences.
Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees / Persons of Exceptional Ability - 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level + numbers left out by the first preference.
Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals and Other Workers - 28.6% of the global level + numbers left out by the first and second preferences, with 10,000 allotted to ‘Other Workers’.
Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants - 7.1% of the global level
Fifth: Employment Creation - 7.1% of the global level. 32% of this is reserved as: 20% for qualified immigrants investing in a rural area + 10% for qualified immigrants investing in a high unemployment area + 2% allocated to qualified immigrants in infrastructure projects. The rest 68%, are unreserved - allocated to other eligible immigrants.
Final Action Dates
Employment-based | India | China - mainland born | Mexico | Philippines |
1st | October 1, 2020 | July 15, 2022 | Current | Current |
2nd | March 1, 2012 | January 1, 2020 | November 22, 2022 | November 22, 2022 |
3rd | July 1, 2012 | September 1, 2020 | September 8, 2022 | September 8, 2022 |
Other Workers | July 1, 2012 | January 1, 2017 | September 8, 2020 | May 1, 2020 |
4th | December 1, 2019 | December 1, 2019 | December 1, 2019 | December 1, 2019 |
Certain Religious Workers | December 1, 2019 | December 1, 2019 | December 1, 2019 | December 1, 2019 |
5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) | December 1, 2020 | December 15, 2015 | Current | Current |
5th Set Aside - Rural (20%) | Current | Current | Current | Current |
5th Set Aside - High Unemployment (10%) | Current | Current | Current | Current |
5th Set Aside - Infrastructure (2%) | Current | Current | Current | Current |
Dates for filing
Employment-based | India | China - mainland born | Mexico | Philippines |
1st | January 1, 2021 | January 1, 2023 | Current | Current |
2nd | May 15, 2012 | June 1, 2020 | February 15, 2023 | February 15, 2023 |
3rd | August 1, 2012 | July 1, 2021 | February 1, 2023 | January 1, 2023 |
Other Workers | August 1, 2012 | June 1, 2017 | December 15, 2020 | May 15, 2020 |
4th | January 1, 2020 | January 1, 2020 | January 1, 2020 | January 1, 2020 |
Certain Religious Workers | January 1, 2020 | January 1, 2020 | January 1, 2020 | January 1, 2020 |
5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) | April 1, 2022 | January 1, 2017 | Current | Current |
5th Set Aside - Rural (20%) | Current | Current | Current | Current |
5th Set Aside - High Unemployment (10%) | Current | Current | Current | Current |
5th Set Aside - Infrastructure (2%) | Current | Current | Current | Current |
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Title:March 2024 US Visa Bulletin: Progress for EB-1 Indian Green Card applicants
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