November 2024 US Visa Bulletin Unveiled: Green Card Hope and Hurdles for Applicants Worldwide

The eagerly awaited November 2024 US Visa Bulletin has been officially released by the Department of State, bringing with it a mix of anticipation, relief, and significant challenges for thousands of green card hopefuls across the globe. This monthly publication is a critical resource, dictating the availability of immigrant visas and setting the pace for employment-based (EB) and family-sponsored (F) green card applications.

As always, applicants from high-demand countries like India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines are closely scrutinizing the latest updates for their specific categories.

For many, the bulletin is a barometer of their immigration journey, with changes in 'Final Action Dates' and 'Dates for Filing' directly impacting when they can submit their applications or expect their green cards to be issued.

The November bulletin presents a complex picture, with some categories seeing progress, while others face disheartening retrogressions.

Spotlight on India: Mixed Fortunes for Employment-Based Categories

Indian applicants, who often face the longest backlogs, are met with a nuanced reality in the employment-based categories:

• EB-1 (Priority Workers): Remaining a beacon of hope, the EB-1 category continues to be 'Current' (C) for India in both Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing.

  This means visas are immediately available for eligible applicants.

• EB-2 (Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability): This category sees a substantial retrogression in its Final Action Date, moving back by over a year to March 1, 2012.

  This is a significant setback for many waiting in line. Conversely, the Dates for Filing for EB-2 India offers a glimmer of progress, advancing to May 15, 2012.

• EB-3 (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers): A more positive trend emerges here, with the Final Action Date for EB-3 India advancing to August 1, 2012.

  The Dates for Filing also progresses, reaching May 1, 2013.

China, Mexico, and the Philippines: A Closer Look at Key Changes

• China (Employment-Based): For Chinese applicants, EB-1 remains Current. EB-2 Final Action Date holds steady at June 1, 2020, with Dates for Filing at January 1, 2021.

  EB-3 shows forward movement, with its Final Action Date advancing to October 1, 2020, while Dates for Filing remains at September 1, 2021.

• Mexico (Family-Sponsored): The F-2B category (unmarried sons and daughters of Lawful Permanent Residents) experiences a retrogression in its Final Action Date, shifting to September 1, 2002, from its previous October 15, 2002.

  Dates for Filing also sees a slight setback.

• Philippines (Employment-Based & Family-Sponsored): EB-3 for the Philippines advances to a Final Action Date of October 1, 2020, and a Dates for Filing of February 1, 2022. However, family-sponsored categories face challenges: F-1 (unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens) Final Action Date retrogresses to June 1, 2012, and F-2B also retrogresses to December 1, 2011.

Understanding Final Action Dates vs.

Dates for Filing

A critical aspect of the Visa Bulletin is distinguishing between 'Final Action Dates' and 'Dates for Filing'. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines which chart applicants must use for submitting their Adjustment of Status applications. For November, USCIS has indicated that applicants in family-sponsored categories must refer to the 'Dates for Filing' chart, while those in employment-based categories should use the 'Final Action Dates' chart.

It is imperative for all applicants to cross-reference the USCIS website for official confirmation, as this guidance can change monthly.

The November 2024 Visa Bulletin underscores the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of the US immigration system. While some applicants may celebrate forward movement, others will need to brace for extended waits.

Staying informed and consulting with immigration counsel remains paramount for navigating these complex pathways.