The November 2024 Visa Bulletin shows no changes from the October 2024 Visa Bulletin in the Dates for Filing or Final Action Dates in any listed category, with the exception of the fourth preference category for Certain Religious Workers. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept applications for adjustment of status based on the Dates for Filing chart in November.
Quick Hits
USCIS has announced that it will accept Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the dates for filing listed. The dates for filing chart from the U.S. Department of State’s November 2024 Visa Bulletin is available below:
Dates for Filing of Employment-Based Visa Applications
| Employment-based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01JAN23 | 15APR22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01AUG23 | 01OCT20 | 01JAN13 | 01AUG23 | 01AUG23 |
| 3rd | 01MAR23 | 15NOV20 | 08JUN13 | 01MAR23 | 01MAR23 |
| Other Workers | 22MAY21 | 01JAN18 | 08JUN13 | 22MAY21 | 22MAY21 |
| 4th | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) | C | 01OCT16 | 01APR22 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Rural – 20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment – 10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure – 2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
USCIS recently confirmed the employment-based annual limit for fiscal year (FY) 2025 will be higher than was typical before the pandemic, though lower than in FY 2021-2024.
The bulletin also notes that federal government appropriations legislation enacted last month extended the employment fourth preference category for Certain Religious Workers until December 20, 2024.
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