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GMS Flash Alert 2024-018

United States � February 2024 Visa Bulletin

GMS Flash Alert 2024-018 | January 19, 2024

The February 2024ÌýVisa Bulletin1Ìýreleased by the U.S. Department of State reflects little change relative to the January 2024ÌýVisa Bulletin2.ÌýÌýNext month’sÌýVisa BulletinÌýdoes indicate slight forward movement in the Final Action Dates chart, specifically in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. ÌýU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that individuals may file a Form I-485,ÌýApplication to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, in February 2024 based on the Dates of Filing.3Ìý

WHY THIS MATTERS

Congress limits the number of immigrant visas (“green cardsâ€�) which may be issued each year. ÌýEach country receives a maximum of 7 percent of the annual quota of available employment-based immigrant visas. ÌýIntending immigrants to the U.S. are generally charged to their country of birth, although some exceptions apply. ÌýThe U.S. Department of State (DOS) releases a Visa Bulletin every month indicating the availability of statutorily-limited visas for prospective immigrants.

The cut-off dates reflected in the Visa Bulletin, coupled with USCISâ€� confirmation of which chart will apply, dictate eligibility to file a Form I-485 application in each month.Ìý In addition, the Final Action Dates chart in the applicable Visa Bulletin determines whether a pending Form I-485 or immigrant visa application may be approved.

Employment-Based Preference Category Cut-Off Dates

EB-1: All countries of chargeability except the People’s Republic of China (“Chinaâ€�) and India will remain current.Ìý The cut-off date for China remains at January 1, 2023, and the cut-off date for India remains January 1, 2021.Ìý

EB-2: The cut-off dates for all countries except China and India remain at February 15, 2023.Ìý The cut-off for China will stay at June 1, 2020, and the cut-off for India remains at May 15, 2012.

EB-3 Professional and Skilled Workers: The cut-off dates for all countries of chargeability except China, India, and the Philippines remain February 1, 2023.Ìý China’s cut-off date will stay at July 1, 2021, India’s cut-off date will remain at August 1, 2012, and the cut-off date for the Philippines will remain at January 1, 2023.

EB-3 Other Workers: All countries of chargeability except China, India, and the Philippines will have a cut-off date of December 15, 2020.Ìý China’s cut-off date will remain June 1, 2017, and India’s cut-off date remains at August 1, 2012.Ìý The cut-off date for the Philippines will stay at May 15, 2020.

EB-4: The cut-off date for all countries will remain at September 1, 2019.

Certain Religious workers: The cut-off date for all countries remains September 1, 2019.Ìý

EB-5: Cut-off dates are current for all countries, except for the C5, T5, I5, and R5 programs for China and India.Ìý The cut-off date for China remains at January 1, 2017, and the cut-off date for India remains at April 1, 2022.ÌýÌý

Cut-Off Dates for Dates of Filing Chart for February 2024

EB-1: All countries of chargeability except the People’s Republic of China (“Chinaâ€�) and India will remain current.Ìý The cut-off date for China remains at January 1, 2023, and the cut-off date for India remains January 1, 2021.Ìý

EB-2: The cut-off dates for all countries except China and India remain at February 15, 2023.Ìý The cut-off for China will stay at June 1, 2020, and the cut-off for India remains at May 15, 2012.

EB-3 Professional and Skilled Workers: The cut-off dates for all countries of chargeability except China, India, and the Philippines remain February 1, 2023.Ìý China’s cut-off date will stay at July 1, 2021, India’s cut-off date will remain at August 1, 2012, and the cut-off date for the Philippines will remain at January 1, 2023.

EB-3 Other Workers: All countries of chargeability except China, India, and the Philippines will have a cut-off date of December 15, 2020.Ìý China’s cut-off date will remain June 1, 2017, and India’s cut-off date remains at August 1, 2012.Ìý The cut-off date for the Philippines will stay at May 15, 2020.

EB-4: The cut-off date for all countries will remain at September 1, 2019.

Certain Religious workers: The cut-off date for all countries remains September 1, 2019.Ìý

EB-5: Cut-off dates are current for all countries, except for the C5, T5, I5, and R5 programs for China and India.Ìý The cut-off date for China remains at January 1, 2017, and the cut-off date for India remains at April 1, 2022.ÌýÌý

Cut-Off Dates for Dates of Final Action Chart for February 2024

The cut-off dates for the Dates of Final Action Chart for February 2024 for the noted countries of chargeability are as follows4:

EB-1: All countries of chargeability except China and India are now current.Ìý The cut-off date for China remains at July 1, 2022, and India’s cut-off date remains September 1, 2020.Ìý

EB-2: The cut-off dates for all countries except China and India move forward to November 15, 2022.Ìý The cut-off for China will remain stable at January 1, 2020, and the cut-off for India will remain March 1, 2012.Ìý

EB-3 Professional and Skilled Workers: The cut-off dates for all countries of chargeability except China and India move forward to September 1, 2022.Ìý China’s cut-off date will remain at September 1, 2020, and India’s cut-off date will progress to July 1, 2012.ÌýÌý

EB-3 Other Workers: All countries of chargeability except China, India, and the Philippines will have a cut-off date of September 1, 2020.Ìý China’s cut-off date will remain January 1, 2017, India’s cut-off date will advance to July 1, 2012, and the cut-off date for the Philippines will remain at May 1, 2020.Ìý

EB-4: The cut-off dates for all countries will remain May 15, 2019.Ìý

Certain Religious workers: The cut-off dates for all countries will remain May 15, 2019.

EB-5: Final Action Dates are current for all countries, except for the C5, T5, I5, and R5 programs for China and India.Ìý The cut-off date for China will progress to December 15, 2015, and the cut-off date for India remains December 1, 2020.ÌýÌý

Contacts

Elizabeth Nanton
Elizabeth Nanton

Partner and U.S. Immigration Practice Leader, ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø Law LLP

ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø in Canada

jashan-girn
Jashan Girn

Associate Attorney

ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø in Canada

Additional Resources

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Footnotes

1Ìý U.S. Department of StateÌý.Ìý

2Ìý For coverage of the JanuaryÌýVisa Bulletin, seeÌýGMS Flash AlertÌý2023-242, January 14, 2023.

3Ìý See the “â€� page on the USCIS website.

4 ÌýU.S. Department of StateÌý

Disclaimer

* Please note the ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labor law services. However, ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø International member firm in Canada.

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