Current Visa Bulletin May 2024: Immigration Update

The US Visa Bulletin for May 2024 offers a comprehensive overview of immigration trends, highlighting notable obstacles in employment-based categories in contrast to progress in family-sponsored visas. One essential resource for negotiating the intricacies of the US immigration system is this bulletin.

May 2024 US Visa Bulletin

A Comprehensive Examination of Work and Family-Based Immigration Types

The May 2024 Visa Bulletin, which was just released by US Citizenship and Immigration Services, offers important information about the status of immigration for both family-sponsored and employment-based (EB) categories. For people and immigration professionals negotiating the complexities of the US immigration system, this bulletin is an essential resource.

Let’s examine the modifications and ramifications of the May 2024 Visa Bulletin in more detail for each of the different Visa categories.

Overview: Employment-Based Categories

The employment-based categories are essential in drawing professionals, experts, and those with extraordinary capacity to support the US economy. The May 2024 Visa Bulletin, however, shows restricted movement in several EB categories, indicating persistent difficulties and backlogs in the processing of immigrant visas for these groups.

Priority Workers (EB1)

According to the May 2024 Visa Bulletin, the priority workers category (EB1) is reserved for those with exceptional talent, distinguished professors and researchers, and multinational executives and managers.

• India: The final action date for EB1 India has advanced to March 1, 2021, indicating moderate progress compared to previous months
• China-Mainland-born: The final action date for EB1 China-Mainland-born has moved to September 1, 2022, reflecting a significant backlog for this category
• Mexico and Philippines: Both Mexico and the Philippines are currently in the EB-1 category, meaning, there is no backlog for immigrant visas for these countries

The EB1 preference category for those born in China presents difficulties for those pursuing permanent residency under it, even with considerable progress made.

Persons of Exceptional Ability (EB2)

Professionals with advanced degrees or extraordinary ability are eligible for the EB2 categories. Important developments from the Visa Bulletin for May 2024 comprise:

• India: The final action date for EB2 India stands at April 15, 2012, indicating slow progress and a significant backlog
• China-Mainland-born: EB2 China-Mainland-born has a final action date of February 1, 2020, reflecting a limited movement
• Mexico and Philippines: Both Mexico and the Philippines have a final action date of January 15, 2023, showing slight advancement compared to previous months

There are still significant backlogs in the EB2 category for applicants who were born in China and India, which highlights the difficulties these communities experience in acquiring immigrant visas.

Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers (EB3)

Professionals, skilled laborers, and other workers fall under the EB3 category. The following updates are from the May 2024 Visa Bulletin:

• India: The final action date for EB3 India is August 15, 2012, indicating slow progress and a significant backlog
• China-Mainland-born: EB3 China-Mainland-born has a final action date of September 1, 2020, reflecting the limited movement
• Mexico and Philippines: Both Mexico and the Philippines have a final action date of November 22, 2022, showing moderate advancement compared to previous months

Although there has been some progress, the EB3 category still has a backlog of applicants who were born in China and India, highlighting the continued difficulties these people face in acquiring immigrant visas.

Other Workers EB3

Unskilled laborers are included in the EB3 Other Workers category. Important developments from the Visa Bulletin for May 2024 comprise:

• India: the final action date for EB3 Other Workers from India is August 15, 2012
• China-Mainland-born: EB3 Other Workers from China-Mainland-born have a final action date of January 1, 2017
• Mexico and Philippines: Both Mexico and the Philippines have a final action date of May 1, 2020

The EB3 Other Workers category shows substantial backlogs and restricted movement for candidates who were born in China’s mainland or India.

Certain Special Immigrants (EB4) and Religious Workers

Certain particular immigrants and religious workers fall under the EB4 category. The following updates are from the May 2024 Visa Bulletin:

All countries: the final action date for EB4 and certain religious workers is November 1, 2020, indicating no significant change or movement in this category. The EB4 category remains stable with no notable advancements or backlogs across countries

Employment Creation EB5

EB5 investors are those who fall under this category. Important developments from the Visa Bulletin for May 2024 comprise:

• India: the final action date for EB5 India is December 1, 2020
• China-Mainland-born: the final action date for EB5 China-Mainland-born is December 15, 2015, indicating limited movement
• Mexico and Philippines: Both Mexico and the Philippines are currently in the EB5 category

While Mexico and the Philippines continue to be current with no backlog, the EB5 category shows minimal movement for applicants who were born on the Chinese mainland.

Overview: Family-Sponsored Categories

The family-sponsored categories in the May 2024 Visa Bulletin represent notable improvements over the employment-based categories, providing optimism to those who want to reunite with their family in the United States.

Unmarried Sons and Daughters of US citizens (F1)

Sons and daughters of US citizens who are single may enter the F1 category. The following updates are from the May 2024 Visa Bulletin:

• India and China-Mainland-born: the final action date for F1 India and F1 China-Mainland-born is July 8, 2015, reflecting substantial progress
• Mexico: the final action date for F1 Mexico is October 15, 2001
• Philippines: the final action date for F1 Philippines is March 1, 2012

There have been notable developments in the F1 category, especially for China and India.-Applicants who were born in the United States

Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents (F2a)

Spouses and children of permanent residents fall under the F2a category. The following updates are from the May 2024 Visa Bulletin:

All countries: the final action date for F2a across all countries is June 1, 2021, reflecting substantial progress and limited backlogs. The F2a category demonstrates significant advancements and minimal backlogs across all countries

Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of permanent residents (F2b)

Sons and daughters of permanent residents who are single and at least 21 years old fall under the F2b category. The following updates are from the May 2024 Visa Bulletin:

• India and China-Mainland-born: the final action date for F2b India and F2b China-Mainland-born is April 1, 2016, reflecting substantial progress
• Mexico: the final action date for F2b Mexico is March 1, 2004
• Philippines: the final action date for F2b Philippines is October 22, 2011

There have been notable developments in the F2b category, especially for China and India.-Applicants who were born in the United States

Married Sons and Daughters of US citizens (F3)

Married sons and daughters of US citizens are eligible for the F3 category. The following updates are from the May 2024 Visa Bulletin:

• India and China-Mainland-born: the final action date for F3 India and F3 China-Mainland-born is January 1, 2010, reflecting substantial progress
• Mexico: the final action date for F3 Mexico is July 22, 1999
• Philippines: the final action date for F3 Philippines is August 1, 2002

There have been notable developments in the F3 category, especially for China and India.-Applicants who were born in the United States

Brothers and Sisters of Adult US Citizens (F4)

For brothers and sisters of adult US citizens, there is a category called F4. The following updates are from the May 2024 Visa Bulletin:

• India: the final action date for F4 India is January 15, 2006
• China-Mainland-born: the final action date for F4 China-Mainland-born is July 22, 2007
• Mexico: the final action date for F4 Mexico is January 22, 2001
• Philippines: the final action date for F4 Philippines is September 8, 2003

There have been notable developments in the F4 category, especially for Mexico and the Philippines.

Analysis of Visa Bulletin Trends and Implications

The differences in the dynamics between the family-sponsored and employment-based (EB) visa categories in the May 2024 Visa Bulletin highlight the difficulties and complexities present in the US immigration system. Families-based categories have made great strides, but employment-based categories are severely backlogged and have little movement, which affects people as well as companies that depend on foreign labor for skilled labor.

Challenges in Employment-based Categories

Backlogs and delayed processing

The ongoing backlogs and restricted progress in employment-based categories, especially for applicants born in India and China, present difficulties for professionals, skilled workers, and those of extraordinary talent hoping to become permanent residents of the United States. Career plans may be thrown off, and both employers and employees may become uncertain as a result of these delays.

Impact on businesses and industries

The backlog of employment-based visa categories may make it more difficult for US companies to draw in and keep international talent, which could result in a shortage of specialized knowledge and abilities that are essential for fostering innovation and economic expansion. To fill vital positions, industries like technology, healthcare, and finance significantly rely on immigrants.

Navigating Visa Bulletin Updates

Immigration practitioners are essential in helping people and companies understand the intricate changes to the Visa Bulletin, offering tactical counsel and alternate routes through the constantly changing immigration environment.

Conclusion

When navigating the intricate US immigration system, individuals and stakeholders can use the May 2024 Visa Bulletin as a crucial benchmark. Family-sponsored categories provide optimism for social cohesion and family reunion, while employment-based categories struggle with backlogs and restricted movement.

To effectively manage the changing landscape of US immigration rules and goals, people and businesses must communicate with immigration specialists, plan strategically, and make well-informed decisions.

Proactive interaction with legislators, ongoing reform advocacy, and thoughtful immigration planning will be essential in the coming years to advance a just and effective immigration system that serves the interests of individuals, families, companies, and the economy as a whole. Stakeholders may help create an immigration framework in the US that is more responsive and inclusive by working together and taking well-informed actions.

The May 2024 Visa Bulletin emphasizes that to overcome the differences between employment-based and family-sponsored categories, effective immigration planning and policy engagement are necessary. Stakeholders may help shape a more responsive and inclusive immigration framework in the US by supporting comprehensive reform and encouraging informed decision-making.