March 13th, 2024 at 05:27 am

USCIS May 2024 Visa Bulletin Predictions | US Immigration 2024

There have been notable changes to the priority dates for several visa categories since the April 2024 Visa Bulletin was released. This continues a trend of improvement seen in recent months, suggesting a conscious attempt by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to expedite the issuance of visas and resolve systemic problems.

This in-depth piece will explore the major adjustments mentioned in the April 2024 Visa Bulletin, investigate the causes of the steady improvements, and offer forecasts for the subsequent May 2024 Visa Bulletin.

April 2024 Visa Bulletin Results

Positive adjustments in priority dates are seen in the April 2024 Visa Bulletin for several employment- and family-based categories. Although not as significant as those made the previous month, these modifications show the USCIS’s ongoing commitment to enabling easier visa processing.

Notably, a major legislative change has occurred with the official declaration of illegal status for a certain category of religious workers. Let’s examine the particular alterations noted in the categories depending on employment and family.

Family-Based Categories – Final Action Date

• F2a All Other Chargeable Areas – June 22, 2020, to September 8, 2020, plus 2 months and 17 days
• F2a China – June 22, 2020, to September 8, 2020, plus 2 months and 17 days
• F2a India – June 22, 2020, to September 8, 2020, plus 2 months and 17 days
• F2a Mexico – June 15, 2020, to August 15, 2020, plus 1 month
• F2a Philippines – June 22, 2020, to September 8, 2020, plus 2 months and 17 days
• Date of filing application – no changes observed

Employment-Based Categories – Final Action Date

• EB-1 China – July 15, 2022, to September 1, 2022, plus 1 month and 17 days
• EB-1 India – October 1, 2020, to March 1, 2021, plus 5 months
• EB-2 All Other Chargeable Areas – November 22, 2022, to January 1, 2023, plus 1 month and 10 days
• EB-2 China – January 1, 2020, to February 1, 2020, plus 1 month
• EB-2 India – March 1, 2012, to April 1, 2012, plus 1 month
• EB-2 Mexico – November 22, 2022, to January 1, 2023, plus 1 month and 10 days
• EB-2 Philippines – November 22, 2022, to January 1, 2023, plus 1 month and 10 days
• EB-3 All Other Chargeable Areas – September 8, 2022, to November 22, 2022, plus 2 months and 21 days
• EB-3 India – July 1, 2012, to August 15, 2012, plus 1 month and 14 days
• EB-3 Mexico – September 8, 2022, to November 22, 2022, plus 2 months and 21 days
• EB-3 Philippines – September 8, 2022, to November 22, 2022, plus 2 months and 21 days

Other Workers

• All other chargeable areas – September 8, 2020, to October 8, 2020, plus 1 month
• Other workers India – July 1, 2012, to August 15, 2012, plus 1 month and 14 days
• Other workers Mexico – September 8, 2020, to October 8, 2020, plus 1 month
• EB4 All Other Categories – December 1, 2019, to November 1, 2020, plus 11 months
• EB4 China – December 1, 2019, to November 1, 2020, plus 11 months
• EB4 India – December 1, 2019, to November 1, 2020, plus 11 months
• EB4 Mexico – December 1, 2019, to November 1, 2012, plus 11 months
• EB4 Philippines – December 1, 2019, to November 1, 2020, plus 11 months

Date of Filing Application

• EB-1 India – January 1, 2021, to April 1, 2021, plus 3 months
• EB-3 India – August 1, 2012, to September 15, 2012, plus 1 month and 14 days
• Other Workers India – August 1, 2012, to September 15, 2012, plus 1 month and 14 days
• EB4 All Other Chargeable Areas – January 1, 2020, to December 1, 2020, plus 11 months
• EB4 China – January 1, 2020, to December 1, 2020, plus 11 months
• EB4 India – January 1, 2020, to December 1, 2020, plus 11 months
• EB4 Mexico – January 1, 2020, to December 1, 2020, plus 11 months
• EB4 Philippines – January 1, 2020, to December 1, 2020, plus 11 months

Certain Religious Workers

• All other chargeable areas – January 1, 2020, to December 1, 2020, plus 11 months
• Certain Religious Workers China – January 1, 2020, to December 1, 2020, plus 11 months
• Certain Religious Workers India – January 1, 2020, to December 1, 2020, plus 11 months
• Certain Religious Workers Mexico – January 1, 2020, to December 1, 2020, plus 11 months
• Certain Religious Workers Philippines – January 1, 2020, to December 1, 2020, plus 11 months

Why has the USCIS only announced positive shifts and priority dates in 2024?

The USCIS’s fundamental intentions and strategies were called into doubt by the continual favorable swings in priority dates that occurred throughout 2024. The USCIS has not retrogressed priority dates this year, in contrast to earlier years when it was not uncommon. There could be several reasons behind this extraordinary tendency.

H-1B F 2025 Lottery Season

The USCIS Strategic Strategy is made clear by the timing of the H-1B F 2025 Lottery Season opening and the April 2024 Visa Bulletin publication. The department appears to have made systemic problems a top priority after realizing how dishonest and unjust tactics have harmed the system.

This mentality change is consistent with US efforts to promote a fairer and more effective visa processing system.

USCIS Reforms and System Upgrades

The proactive steps taken by USCIS to implement new systems and processing capabilities show a sincere desire to improve the effectiveness of awarding visas. This dedication to change points to a larger effort to address the problems caused by an antiquated and inefficient immigration system.

Increased Visa Processing Capacity

Positive changes in priority dates might also be a result of the US’s effective attempts to boost its capacity for processing visas. To better efficiently handle the growing demand for visas, the USCIS plans to streamline processes and embrace technological innovations.

May 2024 Visa Bulletin Predictions

Another bulletin announcement this year that only revealed positive date shifts was announced in the April 2024 Visa bulletin. Each Visa bulletin announcement of 2024 adds a fourth member to the increasing Trend, giving us all greater faith that the following one will bring even more good adjustments.

But every year, the demand for visas only increases. As a result of the ongoing good news, there may be a significant surge in the number of visa applications submitted by hopeful candidates who believe that their chances of getting approved will rise.

Should we be concerned that, in its next statement, the USCIS will rescind priority dates in light of increased Visa applications?

There may be a rationale for the USCIS to scale back on its efforts, even while it is obvious that they are working nonstop behind the scenes to enhance its capacity for processing visa applications. It is advisable to exercise caution and anticipate that the upcoming month may bring news of either retrogression or stagnant priority dates.

We cannot rule out the potential that, after considering the outcomes of the first quarter of the year, the USCIS has sufficient justification to reduce its resolute efforts, even if we have only seen positive shifts in the last few months. Having said that, we cannot give up on the possibility that the US will find their efforts worthwhile and find a place for more.

Let’s hope that the May 2024 Visa Bulletin announces additional beneficial changes to priority dates, following in the footsteps of its predecessors.