In April 2024, significant updates to the Final Action Dates for employment-based visa categories have been announced. These changes impact various countries and categories differently, reflecting the ongoing adjustments in immigration policies and application demands. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the advancements and stagnations in the visa bulletin, followed by an analysis of the potential implications for applicants.
EB-1 Category Advances
The EB-1 category, often reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational managers or executives, sees an advancement for China by six weeks to September 1, 2022, and for India by five months to March 1, 2021. This shift indicates an opportunity for faster processing for applicants from these countries.
EB-2 and EB-3 Categories
In the EB-2 category, notable for professionals holding advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability, there’s a seven-week advancement for all countries except India and China to January 15, 2023. China moves forward by one month to February 1, 2020, while India sees a six-week progression to April 15, 2012. The EB-3 category, for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers, presents a mixed scenario with China’s dates remaining static at September 1, 2020, and India advancing by six weeks to August 15, 2012. Other countries experience a significant jump of two and a half months to November 22, 2022.
EB-4 and EB-5 Updates
The EB-4 category, including the Non-Minister Religious Worker Program, is on the brink of expiration, potentially affecting applicants if no legislative action is taken by March 22, 2024. The EB-5 category, targeting immigrant investors, maintains current dates for unreserved categories for China and India, while set-aside categories for Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure projects remain current for all countries.
Pros:
EB-1 Category Advances
The EB-1 category, often reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational managers or executives, sees an advancement for China by six weeks to September 1, 2022, and for India by five months to March 1, 2021. This shift indicates an opportunity for faster processing for applicants from these countries.
EB-2 and EB-3 Categories
In the EB-2 category, notable for professionals holding advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability, there’s a seven-week advancement for all countries except India and China to January 15, 2023. China moves forward by one month to February 1, 2020, while India sees a six-week progression to April 15, 2012. The EB-3 category, for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers, presents a mixed scenario with China’s dates remaining static at September 1, 2020, and India advancing by six weeks to August 15, 2012. Other countries experience a significant jump of two and a half months to November 22, 2022.
EB-4 and EB-5 Updates
The EB-4 category, including the Non-Minister Religious Worker Program, is on the brink of expiration, potentially affecting applicants if no legislative action is taken by March 22, 2024. The EB-5 category, targeting immigrant investors, maintains current dates for unreserved categories for China and India, while set-aside categories for Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure projects remain current for all countries.
Pros:
- Faster Processing for Some: Applicants from India and China in the EB-1 and EB-2 categories benefit from significant advancements, potentially leading to quicker visa allocations.
- Opportunities for a Broad Spectrum: The advancement in EB-2 and EB-3 categories for countries other than India and China opens up more opportunities for professionals and skilled workers worldwide.
- Stability in EB-5 Investments: The stability in the EB-5 categories, especially for set-aside projects, provides certainty for investors and their ongoing projects.
- Limited Movement in Some Categories: The stagnant Final Action Dates for certain countries and categories, particularly for China in EB-3, may prolong waiting times for applicants.
- Expiration of EB-4 Non-Minister Religious Worker Program: The potential expiration of this program could lead to uncertainties for applicants relying on it for their visa process.
- Projected Stagnation for FY 2024: The State Department’s forecast of little to no movement in the upcoming months could dampen hopes for faster processing times.
Why is India's progression in EB-2 only six weeks? Seems slow... 
Any thoughts?
