Visa Bulletin for November 2024
Department of State Bulletin Number 95 Washington, D.C.
This bulletin provides an overview of the availability of immigrant numbers in November, covering “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications.” It assists applicants in determining when to prepare and submit their required documents to the National Visa Center (NVC).
Unless otherwise noted on the USCIS website, applicants looking to adjust their status must use the “Final Action Dates” chart below. USCIS may also allow applicants to use the “Dates for Filing Applications” if it determines that there are more available visas than known applicants.
Determining Visa Dates
- Process Overview: Consular officers and USCIS are responsible for reporting documentarily qualified applicants. Visa allocations are based on priority dates, processed as per demand received by October 3rd. When demand exceeds supply, oversubscription leads to a “final action date” cutoff. In some cases, dates may retrogress, impacting final action dates for specific applicants.
- Fiscal Year Limits: The family-sponsored immigrant cap for fiscal year 2025 is 226,000, while employment-based immigrant preferences have a minimum of 140,000. The per-country cap is 7% of the total, while dependent area limits are set at 2%.
- Preference Category: Under INA, family-sponsored and employment-based visas are prioritized based on filing order, with certain visa prorating applicable for oversubscribed regions, including China (mainland-born), India, Mexico, and the Philippines.
- Family-Sponsored Preference Classes:
- First Preference (F1): Unmarried children of U.S. citizens (23,400+)
- Second Preference (F2): Spouses, children, and unmarried adult children of permanent residents, divided into F2A and F2B subcategories.
- Third Preference (F3): Married children of U.S. citizens (23,400+)
- Fourth Preference (F4): Siblings of adult U.S. citizens (65,000+)
- Employment-Based Preference Classes:
- First Preference: Priority workers
- Second Preference: Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities
- Third Preference: Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers (with a separate “Other Workers” category)
- Fourth Preference: Special immigrants, including religious workers
- Fifth Preference: Investors under the Employment Creation category, including reserved numbers for specific investments
Visa Availability
Family-Sponsored Visa Availability
- Final Action Dates: Chart indicates oversubscription with listed cutoff dates.
- Filing Dates: Applicants with priority dates earlier than charted dates may proceed with document submission.
Employment-Based Visa Availability
- Final Action Dates: Dates indicate when visas are available to applicants in each category.
- Filing Dates: Priority dates earlier than the dates listed below permit applicants to submit required documentation.
Diversity Visa Program
The DV program, under Section 203(c) of the INA, provides up to 55,000 visas annually, with specific limits set under NACARA and NDAA. These visas are allocated across six geographic regions, with a seven percent cap per country.
Employment Fourth Preference Religious Workers (SR) Category Extension
The SR category has been extended until December 20, 2024. No SR visas will be issued after December 19, 2024.
Special Immigrant Visas for U.S. Government Employees (SIVs)
The Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA may impact certain current or former U.S. Government employees applying for SIVs. For further assistance, applicants should consult the consular section handling their Form DS-1884.
For further details on current visa processing, visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.