The March 2024 Visa Bulletin was released. There were small advancements within the final action dates for many categories.
Commentary:
March 2024
Final Action Dates Update
For all countries except India, China, Philippines, and Mexico: F1 category advances 38 days to February 08, 2015; F2A category advances 135 days to June 22, 2020, F2B advances 51 days to November 22, 2015, F4 category advances 17 days to June 08, 2007; EB1 remains Current; EB2 advances 7 days to November 22, 2022; and EB3 advances 7 days September 08, 2022.
For India only: F2A category advances 135 days toJune 22, 2020; F2B advances 51 days to November 22, 2015; F4 advances 31 days to December 15, 2005; EB1 advances 30 days to October 01, 2020; EB2 remains at March 01, 2012; EB3 remains at July 01, 2012; All EB5 visas are current except for Unreserved which remains at December 01, 2020.
For China only: EB1 advances 14 days to July 15, 2022; EB2 remains at January 01, 2020; EB3 remains at September 01, 2020; All EB5 visas are current except for the Unreserved (I5 and R5) which remains at December 15, 2015.
Vietnam is not individually listed and should use all countries category.
Can file your immigrant applications if PD before:
F2A remains September 01 2023 for All Areas; F2B remains at January 01 2017 for All Areas, China, and India. Mexico advanced 3 days to August 04 2004 and Philippines remains at October 01 2013; F4 remains at March 01 2008 for All Areas and China, and 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 Areas, Mexico, and Philippines except for China and India. China’s EB-1 remains at January 01 2023. India’s EB-1 remains at January 01 2021; EB-2 PDs remains at Febuary 15 2023 for All Areas except for India and China. EB-2 India remains at May 15 2012; EB-2 China remains at June 01 2020; EB-3 PDs regressed to Febuary 01 2023 for All Areas, except for the Philippines, India, and China. The Philippines regressed to January 01 2023; EB-3 India remains at August 01 2012; EB-3 China remains at July 01 2021; 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 MARCH
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. Visa numbers made available to NACARA applicants in FY 2023 will result in reduction of the DV-2024 annual limit to approximately 54,850. Section 5104 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 amended the NACARA’s provisions on the Diversity Visa program such that the number of visas made available under the NDAA will be deducted from the 55,000 DVs annually allocated. These amendments will not impact the number of diversity visas available until FY 2025. DVs 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 March, 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 | 40,000 | Except: Algeria 35,000 Egypt 25,000 Morocco 27,500 |
| ASIA | 7,000 | Except: Iran 6,750 Nepal 5,000 |
| EUROPE | 16,000 | Except: Russia 15,500 Uzbekistan 5,750 |
| NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | 13 | |
| OCEANIA | 1,200 | |
| SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN | 2,200 |
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 APRIL
For April, 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 | 45,000 | Except: Algeria 42,000 Egypt 30,000 Morocco 35,000 |
| ASIA | 7,200 | Except: Iran 7,000 Nepal 6,000 |
| EUROPE | 17,500 | Except: Russia 17,400 Uzbekistan 7,000 |
| NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | 13 | |
| OCEANIA | 1,250 | |
| SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN | 2,400 |
D. SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT FOURTH PREFERENCE RELIGIOUS WORKERS (SR) CATEGORY
Pursuant to H.R. 6363, signed on January 19, 2024, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on March 8, 2024. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight March 7, 2024. Visas issued prior to that date will be valid only until March 7, 2024, and all individuals seeking admission in the non-minister special immigrant category must be admitted (repeat admitted) into the United States no later than midnight March 7, 2024.
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 March. In the event there is no legislative action extending the category beyond March 8, 2024, the category will immediately become “Unavailable” as of March 8, 2024. In the event there is legislative action extending the category beyond March 8, the published dates will continue to be in effect for the remainder of March.
E. U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS (SIVs)
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, signed into law on December 22, 2023, may affect certain current and former employees of the U.S. Government abroad applying for SIVs or adjustment of status, as described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the INA. This does not affect certain Iraqis and Afghans applying for SQ and SI SIVs. Applicants should contact the consular section at which they filed their Form DS‑1884 for further information on the impact of that law on their case.
F. 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: February 6, 2024