Your Guide to the February 2024 Visa Bulletin — Visa Lawyer Blog — January 16, 2024
The February 2024 Visa Bulletin was recently published by the Department of State.
While the Dates for Filing Chart remains unchanged from the previous month, the Final Action Dates Chart shows some modest advancements in some of the employment-based preference categories, specifically EB-1 worldwide continues to be current, EB-2 Worldwide will advance by two weeks to November 15, 2022, EB-3 Professional and Skilled Workers, India will advance by one month to July 1, 2012, and the rest of the world will advance by one month to September 1, 2022. EB-5 India will advance by one week to December 15, 2015, while the rest of the world will remain current.
For family-sponsored categories, the Final Action Dates for F2A Worldwide, F2A China, F2A India, and F2A Philippines will advance by more than 3 months to February 8, 2020, while F2A Mexico will advance to February 1, 2020. The February Dates for Filing remain the same as the previous month.
Whether you are applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate overseas or applying for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the United States, you won’t want to miss these new updates.
Highlights of the February 2024 Visa Bulletin
Employment-based categories
- The February Dates for Filing remain the same as January 2024
Final Action Dates
- EB-1 India: The EB-1 India Final Action Date will remain at September 1, 2020.
- EB-1 China: The EB-1 China Final Action Date will remain at July 1, 2022
- EB-1 Worldwide: All other countries will remain current.
- EB-2 India: The EB-2 Final Action Date for India will remain at March 1, 2012
- EB-2 China: The EB-2 China Final Action Date will remain at January 1, 2020.
- EB-2 Worldwide: Final Action Dates for the remaining countries in EB-2 will advance by two weeks, to November 15, 2022.
- EB-3 Professional/Skilled Workers: The EB-3 Professional/Skilled Worker Final Action for China, will remain at September 1, 2020. India will advance by one month to July 1, 2012. Final Action Dates for the remaining countries in the category will advance by one month to September 1, 2022.
- EB-3 Other Workers: The EB-3 Other Workers Final Action Date for China will remain at January 1, 2017. India will advance by one month to July 1, 2012. Mexico will remain at September 1, 2020. Philippines will remain at May 1, 2020. Final Action Dates for the remaining countries in the category will remain at September 1, 2020.
- EB-4: The EB-4 Final Action Date will remain at May 15, 2019 for all countries
- EB-5: The EB-5 India Unreserved Final Action Date will remain at December 1, 2020, while the EB-5 China Unreserved Final Action date will advance by one week to, to December 15, 2015. All other countries will remain current.
Family-sponsored categories
- The February Dates for Filing remain the same as January 2024
Final Action Dates:
- The Final Action Dates for all countries remain the same as January 2024 except F2A
- F2A: F2A Worldwide, China, India, and the Philippines will advance by more than 3 months to February 8, 2020. F2A Mexico will advance by more than 3 months to February 1, 2020.
Adjustment of Status Filing Chart February 2024
For the month of February 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that the Dates for Filing Chart will be used to determine eligibility for I-485 adjustment of status filings (green card filings inside the US) for both employment-based and family-sponsored filings.
Employment-Based Categories
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s February 2024 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories:
- EB-1 India: The EB-1 India Final Action Date will remain at September 1, 2020.
- EB-1 China: The EB-1 China Final Action Date will remain at July 1, 2022
- EB-1 Worldwide: All other countries will remain current.
- EB-2 India: The EB-2 Final Action Date for India will remain at March 1, 2012,
- EB-2 China: The EB-2 China Final Action Date will remain at January 1, 2020.
- EB-2 Worldwide: Final Action Dates for the remaining countries in EB-2 will advance by two weeks, to November 15, 2022.
- EB-3 Professional/Skilled Workers: The EB-3 Professional/Skilled Worker Final Action for China, will remain at September 1, 2020. India will advance by one month to July 1, 2012. Final Action Dates for the remaining countries in the category will advance by one month to September 1, 2022.
- EB-3 Other Workers: The EB-3 Other Workers Final Action Date for China will remain at January 1, 2017. India will advance by one month to July 1, 2012. Mexico will remain at September 1, 2020. Philippines will remain at May 1, 2020. Final Action Dates for the remaining countries in the category will remain at September 1, 2020.
- EB-4: The EB-4 Final Action Date will remain at May 15, 2019 for all countries
- EB-5: The EB-5 India Unreserved Final Action Date will remain at December 1, 2020, while the EB-5 China Unreserved Final Action date will advance by one week to, to December 15, 2015. The EB-5 set-aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will remain current.
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01JUL22 | 01SEP20 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15NOV22 | 01JAN20 | 01MAR12 | 15NOV22 | 15NOV22 |
| 3rd | 01SEP22 | 01SEP20 | 01JUL12 | 01SEP22 | 01SEP22 |
| Other Workers | 01SEP20 | 01JAN17 | 01JUL12 | 01SEP20 | 01MAY20 |
| 4th | 15MAY19 | 15MAY19 | 15MAY19 | 15MAY19 | 15MAY19 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 15MAY19 | 15MAY19 | 15MAY19 | 15MAY19 | 15MAY19 |
| 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 |
Final Action Dates for February 2024
EB-1
- China: July 1, 2022
- India: September 1, 2020
- All other countries: Current
EB-2
- China: January 1, 2020
- India: March 1, 2012
- All other countries: November 15, 2022 (Advancement)
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- China: September 1, 2020
- India: July 1, 2012 (Advancement)
- All other countries: September 1, 2022 (Advancement)
EB-3 Other Workers
- China: January 1, 2017
- India: July 1, 2012 (Advancement)
- Philippines: May 1, 2020
- All other countries: September 1, 2020
EB-4
- All countries: May 15, 2019
EB-5 Unreserved (Regional Center and Non-Regional Center)
- China: December 15, 2015 (Advancement)
- 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 February 2024 Visa Bulletin, the Dates for Filing cutoff dates remain the same as the previous month of January 2024.
- EB-1: EB-1 India will advance by eighteen months to January 1, 2021, while China will advance by five months to January 1, 2023. All other countries will remain current in December.
- EB-2: EB-2 China will advance by five months to June 1, 2020, while India will remain at May 15, 2012. All other countries will advance by six weeks to February 15, 2023.
- EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers: EB-3 India will remain at August 1, 2012. China will advance by ten months to July 1, 2021. EB-3 Worldwide and Mexico will remain at February 1, 2023. EB-3 Philippines will remain at January 1, 2023.
- EB-3 Other Workers: India will remain at August 1, 2012, China will remain at June 1, 2017. EB-3 Worldwide and Mexico will remain at December 15, 2020. EB-3 Philippines will remain at May 15, 2020.
- EB-4: All countries will advance by 6 months to September 1, 2019.
- EB-5: For the EB-5 Unreserved categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5), India will remain at April 1, 2022, and China will remain at January 1, 2017. All other countries will remain current. The EB-5 “Set-Aside” categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will remain current.
| 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 | 01SEP19 | 01SEP19 | 01SEP19 | 01SEP19 | 01SEP19 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01SEP19 | 01SEP19 | 01SEP19 | 01SEP19 | 01SEP19 |
| 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 |
Dates for Filing for February 2024 (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: September 1, 2019
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
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s February 2024 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories:
- The Final Action Dates for all countries remain the same as January 2024 except F2A
- F2A: F2A Worldwide, China, India, and the Philippines will advance by more than 3 months to February 8, 2020. F2A Mexico will advance by more than 3 months to February 1, 2020.
*Please note: these dates are unchanged from the January 2024 Visa Bulletin, except for F2A
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01JAN15 | 01JAN15 | 01JAN15 | 01MAY01 | 01MAR12 |
| F2A | 08FEB20 | 08FEB20 | 08FEB20 | 01FEB20 | 08FEB20 |
| F2B | 01OCT15 | 01OCT15 | 01OCT15 | 22OCT03 | 22OCT11 |
| F3 | 22APR09 | 22APR09 | 22APR09 | 08SEP98 | 08JUN02 |
| F4 | 22MAY07 | 22MAY07 | 15NOV05 | 15SEP00 | 15OCT02 |
Final Action Dates February 2024 (unchanged from previous month except F2A)
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Mexico: May 1, 2001
- Philippines: March 1, 2012
- All other countries: January 1, 2015
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- Mexico: October February 1, 2020 (Advancement)
- All other countries: February 8, 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: October 1, 2015
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Mexico: September 8, 1998
- Philippines: June 8, 2002
- All other countries: April 22, 2009
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- Mexico: September 15, 2000
- India: November 15, 2005
- Philippines: October 15, 2002
- All other countries: May 22, 2007
DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s February 2024 Visa Bulletin, the following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply for adjustment of status filings for family-sponsored categories:
*Please note: these dates are unchanged from the January 2024 Visa Bulletin
| 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 |
Dates for Filing February 2024 (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
Conclusion
Employment-based Advancements
To summarize, the February Dates for Filing remain the same as the previous month.
For the Final Action Dates, EB-1 Worldwide will remain current, EB-2 Worldwide will advance by two weeks to November 15, 2022, EB-3 Professional/Skilled Workers will advance by one month for India to July 1, 2012, and the rest of the world will advance by one month to September 1, 2022. EB-3 Other Workers, India will advance by one month to July 1, 2012, and the EB-5 unreserved category will advance by one week for China to December 15, 2015.
Family-sponsored Advancements
The February Dates for Filing remain the same as the previous month, as well as the Final Action Dates with the exception of F2A. F2A Worldwide, China, India, and the Philippines will advance by more than 3 months to February 8, 2020, and F2A Mexico will advance by more than 3 months to February 1, 2020.
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