The November 2023 Visa Bulletin was released. There were no significant movements in this month’s Visa Bulletin. See below for more details
Commentary:
November 2023
Final Action Dates Update
For all countries except India, China, Philippines, and Mexico: F1 category remains at January 01 2015; F2A category remains at February 08 2019, F2B remains at September 22 2015, F4 category remains at April 22 2007; EB1 remains Current; EB2 advanced 7 days to July 15 2022; and EB3 remains at December 01 2021.
For India only: F2A category remains at February 08 2019, F2B remains at September 22 2015, F4 remains at October 08 2005; EB1 remains at January 01 2017; EB2 remains at January 01 2012; EB3 remains at May 01 2012; All EB5 visas are current except for Unreserved which remains at December 15 2018.
For China only: EB1 remains at February 15 2022; EB2 remains at October 01 2019; EB3 remains at January 01 2020; All EB5 visas are current except for the Unreserved (I5 and R5) which remains at October 01 2015.
Vietnam is not individually listed and should use all countries category.
Can file your immigrant applications if PD before:
F2A remains at September 01 2023; F2B remains at January 01 2017 for All Areas, China, and India except Mexico which remains at August 01 2004 and Philippines remains at October 01 2013; F4 remains at March 01 2008 for All Areas and China except India remains at February 22 2006, Mexico remains at April 15 2001, and Philippines remains April 22 2004.
EB-1 PDs remain current for all countries, Mexico, and Philippines except for China and India. China’s EB-1 remains at August 01, 2022. India’s EB-1 remains at July 01, 2019; EB-2 PDs remain at January 01 2023 for all countries, Mexico, and Philippines except for India whose PD remains at May 15 2012 and China whose PD remains at January 01 2020; EB-3 PDs remain at February 01 2023 for all countries and Mexico, except for India whose PD remains at August 01 2012, China whose PD remains at September 01 2020, and Philippines whose PD remains at 120 days to January 01 2023; EB-2 India remains at May 15 2012; EB-3 India remains at August 01 2012; EB-2 China remains at January 01 2020; EB-3 China remains at September 01 2020; EB-5 China (C5, T5, I5, R5) remains at January 01 2017; All other EB-5 China remain Current; Vietnam is not individually listed and should use the all countries category.
“B. DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT (DV) CATEGORY FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
Section 203(c) of the INA provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year to permit additional immigration opportunities for persons from countries with low admissions during the previous five years. The NACARA stipulates that beginning with DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program. This will result in reduction of the DV-2024 annual limit to approximately 54,850. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year.
For November, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2024 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers BELOW the specified allocation cut-off number:
| Region | All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately | |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICA | 10,000 | Except: Algeria 7,500 Egypt 5,500 Morocco 5,600 |
| ASIA | 2,300 | Except: Iran 2,200 Nepal 1,300 |
| EUROPE | 5,000 | Except: Russia 4,750 Uzbekistan 1,250 |
| NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | 2 | |
| OCEANIA | 300 | |
| SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN | 500 |
Entitlement to immigrant status in the DV category lasts only through the end of the fiscal (visa) year for which the applicant is selected in the lottery. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2024 program ends as of September 30, 2024. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2024 applicants after that date. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2024 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2024. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2024 cannot be taken for granted. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30.
C. THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANT CATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFS WHICH WILL APPLY IN DECEMBER
For December, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2024 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers BELOW the specified allocation cut-off number:
| Region | All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately | |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICA | 11,000 | Except: Algeria 10,500 Egypt 10,000 Morocco 10,000 |
| ASIA | 3,000 | Except: Iran 2,800 Nepal 2,500 |
| EUROPE | 6,000 | Except: Russia 5,900 Uzbekistan 3,000 |
| NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | 5 | |
| OCEANIA | 450 | |
| SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN | 600 |
D. SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF ONE EMPLOYMENT VISA CATEGORY
Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR):
Pursuant to H.R. 5860, signed on September 30, 2023, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on November 17, 2023. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight November 16, 2023. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of November 16, 2023, and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted (repeat, admitted) into the U.S. no later than midnight November 16, 2023.
The SR category is available and subject to the same final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability for November. In the event there is no legislative action extending the category beyond November 17, 2023, the category will immediately become “Unavailable” as of November 17, 2023. In the event there is legislative action extending the category beyond November 17, the published dates will continue to be in effect for the remainder of November.
E. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV
Department of State Publication 9514
CA/VO: October 3, 2023″