Introduction

The United States Department of State (State Department) has released the August 2024 Visa Bulletin. Given the continued high demand and usage in the EB-3 category, the State Department projects that this category will likely retrogress or become unavailable in September 2024.

Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases

Based on the August 2024 Visa Bulletin from the State Department, the Final Action cutoff dates for the issuance of an employment-based immigrant visa or approval of an adjustment of status application are as follows:

• EB-1: All other countries will remain unchanged as Current. India will remain at February 1, 2022. China will advance to November 1, 2022.
• EB-2: China will remain at March 1, 2020. India will advance to July 15, 2012. All other countries will remain at March 15, 2023.
• EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers: India will advance to October 22, 2012, while China will remain at September 1, 2020. All other countries will be at December 01, 2021.
• EB-3 Other Workers: India will advance to October 22, 2012 and China will remain at January 1, 2017. Philippines will be at May 1, 2010. All other countries will be at January 1, 2021.
• EB-5 Unreserved categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5): India will remain at December 1, 2020 and China will remain at December 15, 2015. Other countries will remain current.
• EB-5 set-aside categories such as Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure will remain current for all countries. 

Dates for Filing for Employment-Based Visa Applications

EB-1:
China: January 01, 2023
India: February 8, 2022
All other countries: Current

EB-2:
China: June 01, 2020
India: July 22, 2012
All other countries: March 22, 2023

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers:
China: July 01, 2021
India: November 01, 2012
Philippines: January 01, 2023
All other countries: February 01, 2023

EB-3 Other Workers:
China: June 1, 2017
India: November 1, 2012
Philippines: May 15, 2020
All other countries: January 8, 2021

EB-4:
All countries: February 1, 2021

EB-5 Unreserved:
China: January 01, 2017
India: April 01, 2022
All other countries: Current

EB-5 Set-Asides (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure):
Current for all countries.

USCIS announced that they will accept adjustment of status applications based on the Final Action Dates chart in August 2024. 

Conclusion            

For any questions or assistance regarding the August 2024 Visa Bulletin, contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration professional.