Visa Bulletin - January 2024
A continuation, you will find an analysis of the Visa Bulletin issued by the Department of State, corresponding to month de January 2024, which determines which is the availability of visas of immigrant for the different categories of requests for family and work, plus information general to help youá to understand how it works.
REQUEST PER FAMILY |
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| FOR MOST COUNTRIES (except: China, India, Mexico and the Philippines) | ||||
| CAT. | PRIORITY DATE | WAIT TIME | DIFFERENCE FROM THE PREVIOUS MONTH | |
| F1 | Children over 21 years of Citizen | January 1, 2015 | 9 years | 0 days |
| F2A | Spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21 of Legal Permanent Resident | November 1, 2019 | 4 years, 2 months | 8 months and 21 days |
| F2B | Unmarried children over 21 years of Legal Permanent Resident | October 1, 2015 | 8 years and 3 months | 9 days |
| F3 | Married children of Citizen | 22 April, 2009 | 14 years, 8 months and 9 days | 3 months and 14 days |
| F4 | Citizen Brothers | May 22, 2007 | 16 years, 7 months and 10 days | 1 month |
| MEXICO | ||||
| F1 | Children over 21 years of Citizen | May 1, 2001 | 22 years, 8 months | 0 days |
| F2A | Spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21 of Legal Permanent Resident | October 22, 2019 | 4 years, 2 months and 10 days | 8 months and 21 days |
| F2B | Unmarried children over 21 years of Legal Permanent Resident | October 22, 2003 | 20 years, 2 months and 10 days | 1 year, 5 months and 21 days |
| F3 | Married children of Citizen | September 8, 1998 | 25 years, 3 months and 23 days | 5 months and 17 days |
| F4 | Citizen Brothers | September 15, 2000 | 23 years, 3 months and 16 days | 0 days |
PETITION FOR JOB |
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| FOR MOST COUNTRIES INCLUDING MEXICO | ||||
| E1 | Priority Workers | January 1, 2024 | 0 days | 1 month |
| E2 | People of exceptional ability | November 1, 2022 | 1 year, 2 months | 3 months and 17 days |
| E3 | Experienced and professional workers | August 1, 2022 | 1 year and 5 months | 8 months |
| E3 | Other workers | September 1, 2020 | 3 years and 4 months | 1 month |
What is the Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin (BV) is a guide that the Citizenship and Immigration Services and the United States Department of State have to define who can or cannot receive an immigrant visa, depending on the date the person submitted their application. That date is called Priority date and this determines the beneficiary's place on the waiting list.
The reason for the Visa Bulletin is that immigration law limits the number of people per category who can immigrate to the United States each year. When the number of applicants is greater than the number of available visas, a delay is generated.
Each month the Visa Bulletin announces the priority or cut-off date, which means that in order for an immigrant to adjust status, in other words, obtain residency, the immigrant must have a priority date prior to the closing date of the category in the Newsletter.
In a family petition-based immigration case, the priority date is the date that the USCIS receives the petition. In an employment-based case, the priority date is the date the Department of Labor receives the request to certify that the worker is eligible for permanent residence. When the law does not require a labor certification, it is the day the USCIS receives the petition.
Generally, the Visa Bulletin date works forward, but if the State Department determines that visas for a certain category or country are being used faster than expected, the cut-off date may be delayed or stalled.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is only intended to provide general information, therefore it does not establish an attorney-client relationship and should not be considered as legal advice. Any decision you make based on this information is at your own risk and responsibility.