July 2024 Visa Bulletin Analysis: Major EB-1 India Leap, But Tough EB-3 Retrogression for Many

Dear ImmiBook Community,

The release of the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin for July 2024 is here, and as always, it brings a blend of hope and challenge for immigrants worldwide. This month's bulletin presents a landscape of significant advancements for some, particularly in the EB-1 India category, but also a considerable retrogression that will impact many EB-3 applicants from "All Other" countries, Mexico, and the Philippines.

We understand that waiting for your priority date to become current can be an anxious journey, filled with anticipation and sometimes, disappointment. At ImmiBook, we are committed to providing you with clear, detailed, and empathetic analysis to help you navigate these complex updates. Let's dive into what the July 2024 Visa Bulletin means for you and your family.

Before we go further, remember that you can always track your personal priority date and stay updated with the latest visa bulletin movements using ImmiBook's dedicated Visa Bulletin Tracker.

Understanding the Visa Bulletin: Your Roadmap to a Green Card

The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State that determines when immigrants can apply for or receive their Green Cards. It's crucial for anyone navigating the family-sponsored or employment-based immigration system, as it dictates the pace of visa availability.

There are two key charts in the Visa Bulletin you need to understand:

• Final Action Dates (Chart A): This chart indicates when a Green Card (immigrant visa) can actually be *issued* or when your Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) application can be *approved*. Your priority date must be earlier than the date listed in Chart A for your category and country of chargeability for your Green Card to be finalized.
• Dates for Filing (Chart B): This chart determines when applicants can *file* their Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) application with USCIS, or when applicants abroad can submit their documents to the National Visa Center (NVC). USCIS announces monthly whether they will accept Chart A or Chart B for filing Adjustment of Status applications. Always check the USCIS website for this crucial update shortly after the Visa Bulletin is released.

What is a Priority Date? Your priority date is essentially your place in line. For family-sponsored petitions, it's the date USCIS received your Form I-130 petition. For employment-based petitions, it's generally the date your PERM Labor Certification application was filed, or the date your Form I-140 petition was filed if no PERM is required.

What does "Current" mean? If a category is listed as "C" (Current), it means that visas are immediately available for eligible applicants in that category and country, and you can proceed with your application without waiting for a priority date to become current.

Visa bulletin dates move forward (advance) when there's more visa availability than demand, and they can move backward (retrogress) when demand exceeds the annual limits. These annual limits, set by Congress, are often the reason for long waits, especially for high-demand countries like India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines.

July 2024 Visa Bulletin: Overall Highlights

The July 2024 Visa Bulletin shows a complex picture with significant movements in both directions. Here's a quick overview:

• Total Categories Advanced: 68 categories saw forward movement.
• Total Categories Retrogressed: 3 categories experienced retrogression.
• Total Categories Unchanged: 79 categories remained stagnant.
• Average Movement: The average forward movement across all advancing categories was approximately 77 days.

In terms of broad categories:

• Employment-Based: 40 categories advanced, while 3 retrogressed.
• Family-Sponsored: 28 categories advanced, with no retrogressions.

The biggest news this month is undoubtedly the substantial forward movement for EB-1 India, offering a ray of hope for many highly skilled professionals. However, this positive news is tempered by a significant retrogression for EB-3 applicants from "All Other" countries, Mexico, and the Philippines, which will undoubtedly cause frustration and uncertainty for many.

Let's break down the movements by category.

Employment-Based Categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, EB-5)

The employment-based categories are often the most dynamic, heavily influenced by global demand and the per-country visa limits. This month is no exception.

EB-1: Priority Workers (Persons of Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professors/Researchers, Multinational Executives/Managers)

EB-1 remains a beacon of hope for many, especially those from India, who have faced decades-long waits in other categories. This month, EB-1 India saw remarkable progress.

• India:
  • Final Action Dates: Leaped forward by an impressive **337 days (11 months)**, moving from March 1, 2021, to **February 1, 2022**. This is fantastic news for many applicants who can now expect their I-485 applications to be approved.
  • Dates for Filing: Also advanced significantly by **313 days (over 10 months)**, moving from April 1, 2021, to **February 8, 2022**. This opens the door for many to file their I-485s.
• All Other Countries, China, Mexico, Philippines: Remain **CURRENT** for both Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing. This means visas are immediately available for eligible applicants from these regions.

Practical Impact & Actionable Advice for EB-1 Applicants:

If you are an EB-1 applicant from India and your priority date is now before February 1, 2022 (for Final Action) or February 8, 2022 (for Dates for Filing), congratulations! This is a significant step forward.

• For those with current Final Action Dates: If your I-485 is pending, USCIS can now move forward with adjudication. Ensure all your supporting documents are up-to-date and respond promptly to any Requests for Evidence (RFEs).
• For those with current Dates for Filing: If USCIS permits the use of Chart B for July (which is highly likely given the advancement), you may now be eligible to file your I-485 application. Consult with your immigration attorney immediately to prepare and submit your application.
• For "Current" countries: If you haven't filed your I-485 yet and are eligible, do so without delay.

Here’s a summary of the EB-1 movements:

EB-2: Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability

The EB-2 category saw some modest advancements this month, but the overall picture remains challenging for India and China.

• India:
  • Final Action Dates: Advanced by **7 days**, from April 15, 2012, to **April 22, 2012**.
  • Dates for Filing: Advanced by **21 days**, from June 1, 2012, to **June 22, 2012**.
• China:
  • Final Action Dates: Advanced by **61 days**, from February 1, 2020, to **April 3, 2020**.
  • Dates for Filing: Advanced by **31 days**, from June 1, 2020, to **July 2, 2020**.
• All Other Countries, Mexico, Philippines: Remain **CURRENT** for both Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing.

Practical Impact & Actionable Advice for EB-2 Applicants:

While the movements for India and China are not as dramatic as EB-1, any forward movement is positive. If your priority date is now current for filing (Chart B) or final action (Chart A), ensure you are prepared to take the next step.

• For India and China: These incremental advancements mean you are slowly but surely moving forward. Continue to monitor the bulletin closely. If you are eligible to file I-485 under Chart B, do so.
• For "Current" countries: If you are eligible, proceed with your Green Card application without delay.

Here’s a summary of the EB-2 movements:

EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers

This is where the July 2024 Visa Bulletin delivers challenging news for a significant number of applicants. While India and China saw minor advancements, "All Other" countries, Mexico, and the Philippines experienced a substantial retrogression.

• All Other Countries, Mexico, Philippines:
  • Final Action Dates: Retrogressed by a disheartening **356 days (nearly a full year)**, moving from November 22, 2022, to **December 1, 2021**. This means many applicants who were previously current or close to it will now have a much longer wait for their Green Card approval.
  • Dates for Filing: Remained unchanged at **February 1, 2023**. This is a small silver lining, as it means those with priority dates before this date can still file their I-485 if USCIS allows Chart B for July. However, their approval will be stalled until Final Action dates catch up.
• India:
  • Final Action Dates: Advanced by **7 days**, from August 1, 2012, to **August 8, 2012**.
  • Dates for Filing: Advanced by **31 days**, from September 1, 2012, to **October 2, 2012**.
• China:
  • Final Action Dates: Advanced by **31 days**, from September 1, 2020, to **October 2, 2020**.
  • Dates for Filing: Advanced by **31 days**, from January 1, 2021, to **February 1, 2021**.
• EB-3 Other Workers (All Other Countries):
  • Final Action Dates: Advanced by **85 days**, from October 8, 2020, to **January 1, 2021**.
  • Dates for Filing: Remained unchanged at **February 1, 2023**.

Practical Impact & Actionable Advice for EB-3 Applicants:

The retrogression for "All Other" countries, Mexico, and the Philippines is a tough pill to swallow. This is often a sign that the annual visa limit for these categories is being approached or has been reached, particularly as the fiscal year (which ends on September 30th) draws to a close.

• For affected by retrogression (All Other, Mexico, Philippines - Final Action):
  • If your I-485 was filed but not yet approved: Your application will be put on hold until your new retrogressed priority date becomes current again. There's nothing specific you can do to accelerate this, but ensure all your documents are in order and your medical exam is valid.
  • If your I-485 was not yet filed: You cannot file your I-485 unless your priority date is earlier than December 1, 2021 (for Final Action) AND you meet the Dates for Filing criteria if USCIS allows Chart B for July. This means many will have to wait longer to even file.
  • Manage Expectations: This retrogression can be frustrating. Stay patient and continue to monitor the Visa Bulletin. It's possible that dates might move forward again in the new fiscal year (starting October 1st) when new visa numbers become available.
  • Consult Your Attorney: Discuss your specific situation and potential alternatives if any exist.
• For India and China: The small advancements are positive. If your priority date is now current for filing (Chart B) or final action (Chart A), prepare to act.
• For EB-3 Other Workers (All Other Countries): The advancement in Final Action is good news. If your I-485 is pending, it might move towards approval.

Here’s a summary of the EB-3 movements:

EB-4: Special Immigrants & EB-5: Immigrant Investors

These categories generally remained stable or saw minor movements this month.

• EB-4:
  • All Other Countries, Mexico, Philippines: Final Action and Dates for Filing remain **CURRENT**.
  • El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: Final Action and Dates for Filing remain at **January 1, 2019**.
• EB-5:
  • All Other Countries: Remain **CURRENT** for both Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing.
  • China (Unreserved): Final Action advanced by **7 days** to **December 15, 2015**. Dates for Filing advanced by **31 days** to **January 1, 2017**.
  • India (Unreserved): Final Action advanced by **31 days** to **December 1, 2020**. Dates for Filing advanced by **61 days** to **December 1, 2021**.

Family-Sponsored Categories (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4)

The family-sponsored categories saw generally positive, albeit sometimes modest, forward movements this month, with no retrogressions.

F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

This category saw good progress, particularly for Mexico.

• Mexico:
  • Final Action Dates: Advanced by **127 days (over 4 months)**, from January 1, 2002, to **May 8, 2002**.
  • Dates for Filing: Advanced by **91 days**, from March 1, 2003, to **May 31, 2003**.
• All Other Countries, China, India:
  • Final Action Dates: Advanced by **106 days (over 3 months)**, from July 8, 2015, to **October 22, 2015**.
  • Dates for Filing: Advanced by **61 days**, from October 1, 2016, to **December 1, 2016**.
• Philippines:
  • Final Action Dates: Advanced by **43 days**, from March 1, 2012, to **April 13, 2012**.
  • Dates for Filing: Advanced by **31 days**, from June 1, 2012, to **July 2, 2012**.

Here’s a summary of the F1 movements:

F2A: Spouses and Minor Children of Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)

This category continues to be highly favorable.

• All Countries: Both Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing remain **CURRENT**. This is excellent news, meaning immediate visa availability for eligible F2A applicants.

Practical Impact & Actionable Advice for F2A Applicants:

If you are an F2A applicant, your path to a Green Card is generally much faster than other categories. If you are eligible and have not yet filed, do so immediately!