Immigration

What You Can Expect — Visa Lawyer Blog — February 12, 2024

The March 2024 Visa Bulletin is finally here, and with it we have big advancements in the family sponsored preference categories, and minor advancements in the employment-based categories.

Highlights of the March 2024 Visa Bulletin

Dates for Filing Chart

The Dates for Filing Chart remains unchanged from the previous month, for both the family sponsored and employment-based categories, with the exception of the employment-based fourth preference category, EB-4 which will advance by 4 months to January 1, 2020.

Employment-based categories

Movement in the Final Action Dates

The Final Action Dates Chart shows some modest advancements in some of the employment-based preference categories, specifically:

  • EB-1 China will advance by two weeks to July 15, 2022
  • EB-1 India will advance by 1 month to October 1, 2020
  • EB-2 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines will advance by 1 week to November 22, 2022
  • EB-3 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines will advance by 1 week to September 8, 2022
  • EB-3 Other Workers, Worldwide and Mexico will advance by 1 week to September 8, 2020
  • EB-4 will advance by more than 6.5 months to December 1, 2019

Family-sponsored categories

Movement in the Final Action Dates

On the other hand, the Final Action Dates Chart for the family-sponsored categories shows major advancements across almost all preference categories.

  • F1 Worldwide, China, and India will advance by more than 5 weeks to February 8, 2015
  • F2A Worldwide, China, India, and the Philippines will advance by almost 4.5 months to June 22, 2020
  • F2A Mexico will advance by almost 4.5 months to June 15, 2020
  • F2B Worldwide, China, and India will advance by more than 7 weeks to November 22, 2015
  • F3 Worldwide, China, and Mexico will advance by more than 5 months to October 1, 2009
  • F4 Worldwide and China will advance by almost 2.5 weeks to June 8, 2007
  • F4 India will advance by 1 month to December 15, 2005
  • F4 Philippines will advance by 8 months to June 15, 2003

Adjustment of Status Filing Chart March 2024

For the month of March 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has not yet indicated whether it will continue to use the Dates for Filing Chart  to determine eligibility for I-485 adjustment of status filings (green card filings inside the US) for both employment-based and family-sponsored filings. However, we expect the announcement to occur soon on the USCIS webpage below.

Please note: Based on past performance, Charlie Oppenheim has predicted that USCIS will end the use of the Dates for Filing Chart for adjustment of status filings, beginning in the month of March, and likely by April. Therefore, those who are eligible to file their adjustment of status applications, should do so in the month of February. Please click here for Charlie Oppenheim’s Visa Bulletin predictions for fiscal year 2024.

Employment-Based Categories

FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES

According to the Department of State’s March 2024 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories:

  • EB-1 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines will remain current
  • EB-1 China will advance by two weeks to July 15, 2022
  • EB-1 India will advance by 1 month to October 1, 2020
  • EB-2 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines will advance by 1 week to November 22, 2022
  • EB-2 China will remain at January 1, 2020 as the previous month
  • EB-2 India will remain at March 1, 2012 as the previous month
  • EB-3 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines will advance by 1 week to September 8, 2022
  • EB-3 China will remain at September 1, 2020
  • EB-3 India will remain at July 1, 2012
  • EB-3 Other Workers, Worldwide and Mexico will advance by 1 week to September 8, 2020.
  • EB-3 Other Workers China will remain at January 1, 2017
  • EB-3 Other Workers India will remain at July 1, 2012
  • EB-3 Other Workers Philippines will remain at May 1, 2020
  • EB-4 will advance by more than 6.5 months to December 1, 2019
  • EB-5 Unreserved China remains at December 15, 2015
  • EB-5 Unreserved India remains at December 1, 2020
  • All other EB-5 categories remain current

The bold represents the advancement of the category.

Employment-
based
All Chargeability
Areas Except
Those Listed
CHINA-
mainland
born
INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES
1st C 15JUL22 01OCT20 C C
2nd 22NOV22 01JAN20 01MAR12 22NOV22 22NOV22
3rd 08SEP22 01SEP20 01JUL12 08SEP22 08SEP22
Other Workers 08SEP20 01JAN17 01JUL12 08SEP20 01MAY20
4th 01DEC19 01DEC19 01DEC19 01DEC19 01DEC19
Certain Religious Workers 01DEC19 01DEC19 01DEC19 01DEC19 01DEC19
5th Unreserved
(including C5, T5, I5, R5)
C 15DEC15 01DEC20 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

Employment-Based March 2024 Final Action Dates

EB-1 

  • China: July 15, 2022 (Advancement)
  • India: October 1, 2020 (Advancement)
  • All other countries: Current

EB-2

  • China: January 1, 2020
  • India: March 1, 2012
  • All other countries: November 22, 2022 (Advancement)

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers

  • China: September 1, 2020
  • India: July 1, 2012
  • All other countries: September 8, 2022 (Advancement)

EB-3 Other Workers 

  • China: January 1, 2017
  • India: July 1, 2012
  • Philippines: May 1, 2020
  • All other countries: September 8, 2020 (Advancement)

EB-4

  • All countries: December 1, 2019 (Advancement)

EB-5 Unreserved (Regional Center and Non-Regional Center)

  • China: December 15, 2015
  • India: December 1, 2020
  • All other countries: Current

EB-5 Set-Asides

  • Rural: Current for all countries
  • High Unemployment: Current for all countries
  • Infrastructure: Current for all countries

DATES FOR FILING FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES

According to the Department of State’s March 2024 Visa Bulletin, the Dates for Filing cutoff dates remain the same as the previous months, except for the employment-based fourth preference category, EB-4 which will advance by 4 months to January 1, 2020.

The bold represents the advancement of the category.

Employment-
based
All Chargeability
Areas Except
Those Listed
CHINA-
mainland
born
INDIA MEXICO  PHILIPPINES 
1st C 01JAN23 01JAN21 C C
2nd 15FEB23 01JUN20 15MAY12 15FEB23 15FEB23
3rd 01FEB23 01JUL21 01AUG12 01FEB23 01JAN23
Other Workers 15DEC20 01JUN17 01AUG12 15DEC20 15MAY20
4th 01JAN20 01JAN20 01JAN20 01JAN20 01JAN20
Certain Religious Workers 01JAN20 01JAN20 01JAN20 01JAN20 01JAN20
5th Unreserved
(including C5, T5, I5, R5)
C 01JAN17 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

Employment-Based March 2024 Dates for Filing (unchanged from previous month)

EB-1

  • China: January 1, 2023
  • India: January 1, 2021
  • All other countries: Current

EB-2

  • China: June 1, 2020
  • India: May 15, 2012
  • All other countries: February 15, 2023

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers

  • China: July 1, 2021
  • India: August 1, 2012
  • Philippines: January 1, 2023
  • All other countries: February 1, 2023

EB-3 Other Workers

  • China: June 1, 2017
  • India: August 1, 2012
  • Philippines: May 15, 2020
  • All other countries: December 15, 2020

EB-4

  • All countries: January 1, 2020 (Advancement)

EB-5 Unreserved (Regional Center and Non-Regional Center)

  • China: January 1, 2017
  • India: April 1, 2022
  • All other countries: Current

EB-5 Set-Asides

  • Rural: Current for all countries
  • High Unemployment: Current for all countries
  • Infrastructure: Current for all countries

DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES

According to the Department of State’s March 2024 Visa Bulletin, the Dates for Filing cutoff dates remain the same as in the previous month.

Family-
Sponsored 
All Chargeability
Areas Except
Those Listed
CHINA-
mainland
born
INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES 
F1 01SEP17 01SEP17 01SEP17 01APR05 22APR15
F2A 01SEP23 01SEP23 01SEP23 01SEP23 01SEP23
F2B 01JAN17 01JAN17 01JAN17 01AUG04 01OCT13
F3 01MAR10 01MAR10 01MAR10 15JUN01 08NOV03
F4 01MAR08 01MAR08 22FEB06 15APR01 22APR04

Family Sponsored March 2024 Dates for Filing (unchanged from previous month)

F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

  • Mexico: April 1, 2005
  • Philippines: April 22, 2015
  • All other countries: September 1, 2017

F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

  • All countries: September 1, 2023

F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents

  • Mexico: August 1, 2004
  • Philippines: October 1, 2013
  • All other countries: January 1, 2017

F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

  • Mexico: June 15, 2001
  • Philippines: November 8, 2003
  • All other countries: March 1, 2010

F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

  • India: February 22, 2006
  • Mexico: April 15, 2001
  • Philippines: April 22, 2004
  • All other countries: March 1, 2008

FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES

According to the Department of State’s March 2024 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories:

  • F1 Worldwide, China, and India will advance by more than 5 weeks to February 8, 2015
  • F1 Mexico will remain at May 1, 2001
  • F1 Philippines will remain at March 1, 2012
  • F2A Worldwide, China, India, and the Philippines will advance by almost 4.5 months to June 22, 2020
  • F2A Mexico will advance by almost 4.5 months to June 15, 2020
  • F2B Worldwide, China, and India will advance by more than 7 weeks to November 22, 2015
  • F2B Mexico will remain at October 22, 2003
  • F2B Philippines will remain at October 22, 2011
  • F3 Worldwide, China, and Mexico will advance by more than 5 months to October 1, 2009
  • F3 Mexico will remain at September 8, 1998
  • F3 Philippines will remain at June 8, 2002
  • F4 Worldwide and China will advance by almost 2.5 weeks to June 8, 2007
  • F4 India will advance by 1 month to December 15, 2005
  • F4 Philippines will advance by 8 months to June 15, 2003
Family-
Sponsored 
All Chargeability
Areas Except
Those Listed
CHINA-mainland
born
INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES 
F1 08FEB15 08FEB15 08FEB15 01MAY01 01MAR12
F2A 22JUN20 22JUN20 22JUN20 15JUN20 22JUN20
F2B 22NOV15 22NOV15 22NOV15 22OCT03 22OCT11
F3 01OCT09 01OCT09 01OCT09 08SEP98 08JUN02
F4 08JUN07 08JUN07 15DEC05 15OCT00 15JUN03

Family Sponsored March 2024 Final Action Dates

F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

  • Mexico: May 1, 2001
  • Philippines: March 1, 2012
  • All other countries: February 8, 2015 (Advancement)

F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

  • Mexico: June 15, 2020 (Advancement)
  • All other countries: June 22, 2020 (Advancement)

F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents

  • Mexico: October 22, 2003
  • Philippines: October 22, 2011
  • All other countries: November 22, 2015 (Advancement)

F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

  • Mexico: September 8, 1998
  • Philippines: June 8, 2002
  • All other countries: October 1, 2009 (Advancement)

F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

  • Mexico: October 15, 2000 (Advancement)
  • India: December 15, 2005 (Advancement)
  • Philippines: June 15, 2003 (Advancement)
  • All other countries: June 8, 2007 (Advancement)

Conclusion

To summarize, the Dates for Filing remain the same as the previous month for both the employment based and family sponsored categories, except the employment-based fourth preference category EB-4, which will advance by 4 months to January 1, 2020.

For the Employment-Based Final Action Dates: 

  • EB-1 China will advance by two weeks to July 15, 2022
  • EB-1 India will advance by 1 month to October 1, 2020
  • EB-2 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines will advance by 1 week to November 22, 2022
  • EB-3 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines will advance by 1 week to September 8, 2022
  • EB-3 Other Workers, Worldwide and Mexico will advance by 1 week to September 8, 2020
  • EB-4 will advance by more than 6.5 months to December 1, 2019

Family-sponsored Final Action Dates:

The March Final Action Dates show major movement for almost all family-sponsored categories as follows:

  • F1 Worldwide, China, and India will advance by more than 5 weeks to February 8, 2015
  • F2A Worldwide, China, India, and the Philippines will advance by almost 4.5 months to June 22, 2020
  • F2A Mexico will advance by almost 4.5 months to June 15, 2020
  • F2B Worldwide, China, and India will advance by more than 7 weeks to November 22, 2015
  • F3 Worldwide, China, and Mexico will advance by more than 5 months to October 1, 2009
  • F4 Worldwide and China will advance by almost 2.5 weeks to June 8, 2007.
  • F4 India will advance by 1 month to December 15, 2005.
  • F4 Philippines will advance by 8 months to June 15, 2003.

As we do every month, we will keep you updated on the upcoming movement and changes in the Visa Bulletin right here on our blog.

Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-569-1768 or call 619-819-9204.

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