Stability In The Horizon: An Analysis Of The May 2024 U.S. Visa Bulletin For Employment-Based Categories

[Editor2]

Overview

The U.S. Department of State's Visa Bulletin for May 2024 reveals a stable outlook for the main employment-based (EB) immigration categories. This announcement holds significant implications for foreign nationals seeking U.S. permanent residency through employment. The following provides a detailed breakdown of the Final Action dates for various EB categories and discusses the extended validity of the EB-4 Non-Minister Religious Worker Program.

Details of the May 2024 Visa Bulletin

The Visa Bulletin for May 2024 highlights a continuation in the Final Action dates across most EB categories, reflecting no progress in the queue for immigrant visas or adjustment of status applications for foreign workers. The specifics are as follows:

• EB-1: The cutoff dates for China remain at September 1, 2022, and for India at March 1, 2021, with all other countries remaining current.
• EB-2: Dates for China are steady at February 1, 2020, and for India at April 15, 2012. Other nations are unchanged at January 15, 2023.
• EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers: For China, the date stays at September 1, 2020, and for India, it remains at August 15, 2012, with other countries holding at November 22, 2022.
• EB-5: The Unreserved categories for China are static at December 15, 2015, and for India at December 1, 2020, while all other nations remain current. The set-aside categories for Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure investments also continue to be current.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that it will honor the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based adjustment of status applications in May, ensuring predictability for applicants.

Additional Developments

A noteworthy development is the extension of the EB-4 Non-Minister Religious Worker Program through September 30, 2024. This extension aligns this category with the general EB-4 category, which has a Final Action Date of November 1, 2020, for May.

Pros:

• Stability: The lack of movement in Final Action dates ensures predictability for applicants and employers, allowing for better planning and preparation.
• Extended Opportunities: The extension of the EB-4 Non-Minister Religious Worker Program allows more religious workers to apply for permanent residency under stable conditions.

Cons:

• No Progress: The static nature of the Visa Bulletin may be disheartening for those awaiting advancements in their priority dates, particularly from backlogged countries like India and China.
• Long Waits: Particularly for EB-2 and EB-3 categories for Indian and Chinese nationals, the long-standing backlog continues to pose significant delays in obtaining U.S. permanent residency.

Conclusion

The May 2024 Visa Bulletin presents a steady state for U.S. employment-based immigrant visa applicants, with no changes in the priority cutoff dates. While stability is beneficial for planning purposes, the persistent backlogs, especially for Chinese and Indian nationals in certain categories, continue to challenge applicants and complicate long-term career and life planning.

 

[greg_philips]

The May 2024 Visa Bulletin appears to sustain a 'status quo' approach to the Final Action dates. While this may facilitate planning for those already in queue, doesn't it also mean a prolonged waiting period without any clear respite in sight for new applicants from backlogged countries?

 

[jennifer.javier]

Can someone explain why there’s no movement at all, especially for EB-2 and EB-3 from India and China? It’s so frustrating!

 

[mattm]

Can someone explain why there’s no movement at all, especially for EB-2 and EB-3 from India and China? It’s so frustrating!

Having been through the EB-2 process myself, it’s clear that the system is overwhelmed. The U.S. needs to either increase visa numbers or implement more efficient processing strategies. It’s tough seeing so many skilled individuals stuck in limbo.

 

[adamhholmes]

Can someone explain why there’s no movement at all, especially for EB-2 and EB-3 from India and China? It’s so frustrating!

The main reason for the stagnation is the per-country visa cap which hasn't been updated in decades. This cap creates a significant backlog for countries with high demand. There's been some legislative push to address this, but nothing substantial has passed yet.

 

[williamson1996]

Imagine waiting years to get a green light on your visa, only to find out it’s the same old story. Maybe they should start handing out 'Waiting Awards'!

 

[sarah_esteve]

It’s reassuring to see some stability in the visa bulletin. At least employers and applicants can have a somewhat predictable timeline to work with. It’s not perfect, but predictability is crucial in these processes.

 

[leonard_shelby]

Didn’t they say something about an extension for the EB-4 Non-Minister Religious Worker Program? Or am I mixing it up with something else?

 

[steven.harrington]

Didn’t they say something about an extension for the EB-4 Non-Minister Religious Worker Program? Or am I mixing it up with something else?

Yes, you’re correct. The EB-4 Non-Minister Religious Worker Program has been extended through September 30, 2024. It aligns with the general EB-4 category now, which is a significant relief for those involved in religious work seeking residency.

 

[vivienne]

So, what’s the best approach for someone just starting to consider applying under EB-3?

 

[zara_k]

So, what’s the best approach for someone just starting to consider applying under EB-3?

The key is to ensure all your documentation is impeccable and to stay updated on the monthly bulletins. Consult with an immigration attorney to strategize based on the latest trends and policies. It’s a waiting game, but being proactive is your best bet.