Many categories of family immigration and employment immigration have visa backlogs and waiting times that go for years and years. To give anxiously waiting immigrants an idea when they can expect their visas, the U.S. Department of State releases monthly visa bulletin reports to show what priority dates (filing dates) petitions they are reviewing and issuing visas and green cards for. It is important to stay updated on these visa bulletin updates. The page where the monthly visa bulletins are posted is https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html You can also find the latest visa bulletin by Googling “current visa bulletin.”
This week, the U.S. Department of State has released its Visa Bulletin for October 2024. This monthly report is crucial for green card applicants as it outlines potential wait times for processing. Regularly checking visa bulletin updates can help applicants stay informed.
In October, notable shifts occurred in various family- and employment-based categories. For example, the F-2A category saw a one-month advancement across all countries, the EB-2 category experienced changes ranging from four to six months, and China’s EB-3 category faced a retrogression of seven months and two weeks.
Understanding the Visa Bulletin
The Visa Bulletin provides priority dates, which act as placeholders in the green card queue. Every month, the U.S. Department of State reviews how many applications are pending in each category to estimate when applicants might progress. Staying updated on visa bulletin updates is essential for anticipating wait times.
Key Dates to Note:
– Dates for Filing: These indicate when you can proceed with the next step in the process. If your priority date matches or is earlier than the cut-off listed, you’re eligible to move forward.
– Final Action Dates: These represent an estimate of when your application will be processed and a decision made. The time between the two dates gives a rough idea of USCIS processing times. This highlights the importance of following visa bulletin updates closely.
Next Steps When Your Priority Date Becomes Current:
– Filing for Adjustment of Status: For those already living in the U.S. – we file for Adjustment of Status to get that coveted Green Card.
– Applying for an Immigrant Visa: For applicants residing outside the U.S. – you will receive a letter and/or email from the National Visa Center when they are ready to process your application for a visa and a request to upload your documents for the visa into their electronic CEAC portal.
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