April 2024 Visa Bulletin Predictions: Family & Employment-Based Green Card News

With its insights into the timing of application processes, the Visa Bulletin is an indispensable tool for millions of people waiting impatiently for green cards in the complex world of immigration.

An overview of the availability of Green Cards for both family- and employment-based categories can be found in the State Department’s March 2024 Visa Bulletin. The employment categories are expected to have 165,000 green cards available for the fiscal year 2024.

This update clarifies the anticipated delays and backlogs in the family and employment-based categories by outlining the major forecasts and projections for April 2024.

1. Visa Bulletin Predictions: Family-based Categories

F1: Unmarried adult sons and daughters of US citizens

• Mexico: anticipated advancement of 2 to 4 weeks
• Philippines: expected progression of 7 to 8 weeks
• All other countries: estimated advancement of 8 to 9 weeks

F2a: Spouses and minor unmarried Sons and Daughters of LPRs

• Mexico: anticipated progression of 7 to 8 weeks
• All other countries: expected advancement of 3 to 4 weeks

F2b: unmarried adult sons and daughters of LPRs

• Mexico: estimated advancement of 9 to 10 weeks
• Philippines: anticipated progression of 5 to 6 weeks
• All other countries: expected advancement of 4 to 5 weeks

F3: married adult sons and daughters of US citizens

• Mexico: expected progression of 4 to 5 weeks
• Philippines: anticipated advancement of 3 to 4 weeks
• All other countries: estimated advancement of 4 to 5 weeks

F4: brothers and sisters of US citizens

• Mexico: expected progression of 3 to 4 weeks
• India: anticipated advancement of 1 to 2 weeks
• Philippines: expected progression of 3 to 4 weeks
• All other countries: anticipated advancement of 1 to 2 weeks

2. Visa Bulletin Predictions: Employment-based Categories

As of right now, the employment-based category estimates for the Visa Bulletin are not accessible. Future releases and updates are expected.

1. Family-based preference categories, numbers, and predictions

It is essential for those who are waiting to be reunited with their loved ones to comprehend the numerical allocations for the family-based preference groups. The allotments and forecasts for every category are listed below.

F1: unmarried adult sons and daughters of US citizens

Allocations: No number greater than 23,400 is needed to make fourth preference forecasts. According to the Visa Bulletin, Mexico will advance in two to four weeks, the Philippines in seven to eight weeks, and all other nations in eight to nine weeks.

F2: spouses and children and unmarried Sons and Daughters of permanent residents

Allocations: 11 14,200 plus further figures when projections are required. Improvements are expected in 7 to 8 weeks for Mexico and 3 to 4 weeks for every other nation.

F2b: unmarried adult sons and daughters of permanent residents

Anticipated progress is 9 to 10 weeks for Mexico, 5 to 6 weeks for the Philippines, and 4 to 5 weeks for all other countries

F3: Married Sons and Daughters of US citizens

Allocations: 23,400 plus any excess figures from the first and second choices. Four to five weeks are predicted to pass for Mexico, three to four weeks for the Philippines, and four to five weeks for all other nations.

F4: brothers and sisters of adult US citizens

Allocations: 65,000 plus any further figures from the initial three choices. Forecasts indicate that advances should be expected in three to four weeks for Mexico, one to two weeks for India, three to four weeks for the Philippines, and one to two weeks for all other nations.

2. Employment-based Preference Categories Predictions for April 2024

Forecasts for employment-based categories provide vital information for people looking to start lives and careers in the US. The expected timelines for each preferred employment are listed below.

EB-1: priority workers

• India: 4 to 5 weeks
• China: 2 to 3 weeks
• All other countries remain current

EB-2: members of the professions holding Advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability predictions

• India: 5 to 6 weeks
• China: 3 to 4 weeks
• All other countries: 3 to 4 weeks

EB-3: professionals and skilled workers

• India: 3 to 4 weeks
• China: 8 to 9 weeks
• All other countries: 4 to 5 weeks

3. Numerical Allocations for Employment-based Preference Categories

Determining the availability and competitiveness of green cards requires an understanding of the numerical allotments for employment-based preferences. The distributions for each employment preference are shown below.

EB-1: priority workers

Allocations: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level with additional numbers as needed

EB-2: members of the professions holding Advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability

Allocations: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level with additional numbers as needed

EB-3: skilled workers, professionals, and other workers

Allocations: 28.6% of the worldwide level with additional numbers as needed

EB-4: certain special immigrants

Allocations: 7.1% of the worldwide level

EB-5: employment creation

Allocations: 7.1 % of the worldwide level with reserved percentages for specific immigrant investors

4. The 7% per country cap

Green card caps of 7% per nation are enforced by legislation, impacting both employment and family preference categories. This cap affects wait times and causes variances in the way people from various nations are processed.

5. Implications and Challenges

Those applying for green cards face difficulties due to the numerical caps and country-specific limits, which have a greater impact on some nations than others and result in lengthy wait times for some categories. In most regions of the world, US citizens must wait more than 15 years to sponsor their siblings; for siblings from the Philippines, it can take up to 20 years, and for those from Mexico, it can take up to 22 years.

Addressing Backlogs and the Impact on Families

With more than 1.2 million employment-based immigrants stalled in Green Card backlogs as of June 2023, comprehensive immigration reform is desperately needed. The extended waiting periods, especially for kids who outgrow their parents’ immigration status, emphasize how urgently these issues need to be resolved to avoid family splits.

Conclusion

An extensive synopsis of the numerical distribution, forecasts, and consequences for the employment- and family-based preference groups is given by this in-depth analysis. A comprehensive comprehension of these elements is necessary to navigate the intricacies of the immigration system, enabling individuals to make well-informed decisions and policymakers to effectively address the urgent concerns within the immigration landscape.