June 2024 Visa Bulletin Analysis: Major Strides for Family-Based Visas, Steady Pace for Employment Categories

Waiting for your green card can feel like an eternity, a journey filled with hope, anxiety, and the constant checking of official updates. At ImmiBook, we understand this deeply. That’s why we meticulously analyze each month's Visa Bulletin, translating complex legal jargon into clear, actionable insights for you and your family.

The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for June 2024, and it brings a mixed but generally positive outlook, especially for family-sponsored visa applicants. This month, we're seeing significant forward movement in several family-based categories, offering a beacon of hope for thousands. While most employment-based categories hold steady, the lack of retrogressions across the board is a welcome sign.

Let's dive into the details of the June 2024 Visa Bulletin and understand what these changes mean for your immigration journey.

Understanding the Visa Bulletin: Final Action Dates vs. Dates for Filing

Before we break down the specifics, it's crucial to understand the two main charts in the Visa Bulletin:

• Final Action Dates (Chart A): This chart indicates when a green card can finally be issued. If your priority date is earlier than the date listed for your category and country of chargeability, you are eligible to receive an immigrant visa or adjust your status (file Form I-485) if you are already in the U.S.
• Dates for Filing (Chart B): This chart allows certain applicants to submit their adjustment of status applications (Form I-485) to USCIS earlier than they could under the Final Action Dates chart. USCIS decides each month whether applicants can use Chart B. For June 2024, USCIS has indicated that all family-sponsored preference categories must use the Dates for Filing Chart B for filing adjustment of status applications. For employment-based preference categories, applicants must use the Final Action Dates Chart A for filing adjustment of status applications.

Always remember to check the USCIS website for their specific guidance on which chart to use for adjustment of status applications each month.

June 2024 Visa Bulletin: The Big Picture

The June 2024 Visa Bulletin shows a generally optimistic trend, particularly for family-based categories:

• Total Categories Advanced: 21
• Total Categories Retrogressed: 0 (Excellent news!)
• Total Categories Unchanged: 129
• Average Movement Days (for advanced categories): Approximately 83 days
• Employment-Based: 2 categories advanced, 0 retrogressed. Most remained unchanged.
• Family-Sponsored: 19 categories advanced, 0 retrogressed. Significant forward movement for F2A, and notable progress for F2B Mexico and F3 across several areas.

The absence of any retrogressions this month is a huge relief for many and reflects careful management of visa numbers by the State Department. Let's delve into the specifics for each category.

Detailed Analysis: Family-Sponsored Preference Categories

Family-sponsored categories saw the most dynamic movements this month, offering renewed hope for many families awaiting reunification.

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

This category is for unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 or older) of U.S. citizens.

• Final Action Dates:
  • All Other Areas: Unchanged at January 1, 2018
  • China: Unchanged at January 1, 2018
  • India: Unchanged at January 1, 2018
  • Mexico: Unchanged at April 22, 2005
  • Philippines: Unchanged at April 22, 2012
• Dates for Filing:
  • All Other Areas: Unchanged at September 1, 2018
  • China: Unchanged at September 1, 2018
  • India: Unchanged at September 1, 2018
  • Mexico: Unchanged at April 1, 2006
  • Philippines: Unchanged at April 22, 2014

Practical Impact & Advice: F1 remains largely stagnant this month. Applicants in this category, particularly from Mexico and the Philippines, continue to face very long waits. It’s crucial to maintain your petition, ensure all contact information is up to date with USCIS/NVC, and patiently monitor future bulletins. If your priority date is nearing the listed dates, start preparing your documents for the next steps.

F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

This category is for spouses and unmarried children (under 21 years old) of U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders).

• Final Action Dates: This category saw significant forward movement across the board!
  • All Other Areas: Advanced by 167 days to November 15, 2021 (from June 1, 2021)
  • China: Advanced by 167 days to November 15, 2021 (from June 1, 2021)
  • India: Advanced by 167 days to November 15, 2021 (from June 1, 2021)
  • Philippines: Advanced by 167 days to November 15, 2021 (from June 1, 2021)
  • Mexico: Advanced by 85 days to February 1, 2021 (from November 8, 2020)
• Dates for Filing:
  • All Other Areas: Unchanged at September 1, 2023
  • China: Unchanged at September 1, 2023
  • India: Unchanged at September 1, 2023
  • Philippines: Unchanged at September 1, 2023
  • Mexico: Unchanged at September 1, 2023

Practical Impact & Advice: This is a fantastic development for F2A applicants! The 167-day jump for most countries and 85-day jump for Mexico means that thousands of spouses and children of green card holders are now eligible to move forward with their applications. If your priority date is now earlier than the listed Final Action Date, you may be eligible for your immigrant visa interview or to file your I-485 Adjustment of Status application. This is a crucial window of opportunity.

Actionable Steps:

• Check your Priority Date immediately! If it's current, contact your attorney or begin preparing your I-485 application (if in the U.S.) or prepare for your interview at a U.S. Consulate abroad.
• Gather all necessary supporting documents: birth certificates, marriage certificates, medical exam results, affidavits of support, etc.
• Don't delay! While this movement is positive, future bulletins can always change.

F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents

This category is for unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 or older) of U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents.

• Final Action Dates:
  • All Other Areas: Unchanged at September 22, 2016
  • China: Unchanged at September 22, 2016
  • India: Unchanged at September 22, 2016
  • Mexico: Advanced by 129 days to July 8, 2004 (from March 1, 2004)
  • Philippines: Unchanged at October 22, 2011
• Dates for Filing:
  • All Other Areas: Unchanged at January 1, 2017
  • China: Unchanged at January 1, 2017
  • India: Unchanged at January 1, 2017
  • Mexico: Unchanged at October 1, 2004
  • Philippines: Unchanged at October 1, 2013

Practical Impact & Advice: Another positive move for Mexico! F2B Mexico applicants saw a significant 129-day advancement in Final Action Dates. For other countries, the category remains unchanged. If you are an F2B applicant from Mexico and your priority date is now current, follow the same actionable steps as F2A applicants: prepare documents, consult your attorney, and proceed with your application as swiftly as possible.

F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

This category is for married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.

• Final Action Dates:
  • All Other Areas: Unchanged at April 1, 2010
  • China: Unchanged at April 1, 2010
  • India: Unchanged at April 1, 2010
  • Mexico: Advanced by 132 days to December 1, 1999 (from July 22, 1999)
  • Philippines: Unchanged at June 8, 2002
• Dates for Filing:
  • All Other Areas: Advanced by 92 days to September 1, 2010 (from June 1, 2010)
  • China: Advanced by 92 days to September 1, 2010 (from June 1, 2010)
  • India: Advanced by 92 days to September 1, 2010 (from June 1, 2010)
  • Mexico: Unchanged at January 1, 2001
  • Philippines: Unchanged at November 8, 2003

Practical Impact & Advice: F3 Mexico saw a healthy 132-day jump in Final Action Dates, which is great news for those with very old priority dates. Additionally, "All Other Areas," China, and India saw a 92-day advancement in Dates for Filing. This means many F3 applicants from these regions can now prepare and potentially file their I-485 applications, even if their final action date isn't current yet. Take advantage of this window to get your paperwork in order.

F4: Brothers and Sisters of U.S. Citizens

This category is for brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.

• Final Action Dates:
  • All Other Areas: Unchanged at March 15, 2008
  • China: Unchanged at March 15, 2008
  • India: Unchanged at December 15, 2005
  • Mexico: Unchanged at April 15, 2001
  • Philippines: Unchanged at August 22, 2002
• Dates for Filing:
  • All Other Areas: Unchanged at March 1, 2009
  • China: Unchanged at March 1, 2009
  • India: Unchanged at December 15, 2006
  • Mexico: Unchanged at October 1, 2001
  • Philippines: Unchanged at April 22, 2004

Practical Impact & Advice: F4 remains one of the longest waiting categories, and there was no movement this month. While frustrating, it's important to remember that these categories do eventually move. Continue to monitor the bulletin and ensure your contact information with NVC/USCIS is current. Patience and preparation are key.

Summary of Key Family-Sponsored Movements (June 2024)

Here's a quick overview of the most significant family-sponsored advancements:

Final Action Dates (Family-Sponsored)

Dates for Filing (Family-Sponsored)

Detailed Analysis: Employment-Based Preference Categories

The employment-based categories saw minimal movement this month, with most remaining unchanged. This is consistent with recent trends, where high-demand countries like India and China face significant backlogs.

Important Note: For employment-based preference categories, USCIS has announced that applicants must use the Final Action Dates (Chart A) for filing adjustment of status applications in June 2024.

EB-1: Priority Workers

This category includes persons of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational managers or executives.

• Final Action Dates:
  • All Other Areas: Current (C)
  • China: Current (C)
  • India: Current (C)
  • Mexico: Current (C)
  • Philippines: Current (C)
• Dates for Filing: All areas remain Current (C).

Practical Impact & Advice: EB-1 remains "Current" for all countries. This is excellent news for highly qualified individuals, meaning there is no backlog for immigrant visa numbers in this category. If you qualify for EB-1, you can file your I-485 or proceed with consular processing without delay due to visa availability.

EB-2: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability

This category is for professionals with advanced degrees or persons with exceptional ability in their fields.

• Final Action Dates:
  • All Other Areas: Unchanged at January 1, 2023
  • China: Unchanged at February 1, 2020
  • India: Unchanged at April 15, 2012
  • Mexico: Unchanged at January 1, 2023
  • Philippines: Unchanged at January 1, 2023
• Dates for Filing:
  • All Other Areas: Unchanged at July 1, 2023
  • China: Unchanged at June 1, 2020
  • India: Unchanged at May 15, 2012
  • Mexico: Unchanged at July 1, 2023
  • Philippines: Unchanged at July 1, 2023

Practical Impact & Advice: EB-2 saw no movement this month. India continues to face a significant backlog, with a priority date stuck in 2012. China also has a considerable wait. Applicants from these countries should continue to monitor the bulletin closely and prepare for potentially long waits. For "All Other Areas," Mexico, and the Philippines, the dates are relatively recent, but still not current, indicating some demand. Keep your documentation ready and stay in touch with your employer and attorney.

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

This category includes skilled workers, professionals (with bachelor's degrees), and other workers (requiring less than two years of training or experience).

• Final Action Dates:
  • All Other Areas: Unchanged at November 1, 2022
  • China: Unchanged at September 1, 2020
  • India: Advanced by 7 days to September 22, 2012 (from September 15, 2012)
  • Mexico: Unchanged at November 1, 2022
  • Philippines: Unchanged at November 1, 2022
• Dates for Filing:
  • All Other Areas: Unchanged at February 1, 2023
  • China: Unchanged at January 1, 2021
  • India: Advanced by 7 days to November 1, 2012 (from October 22, 2012)
  • Mexico: Unchanged at February 1, 2023
  • Philippines: Unchanged at February 1, 2023

Practical Impact & Advice: India EB-3 saw a minor 7-day advancement in both Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing. While small, any forward movement is positive for applicants who have been waiting for over a decade. For other countries, the dates remain unchanged. The backlog for India and China remains substantial. If your priority date is close to the listed dates, ensure all your documents are ready. For those with much earlier priority dates, this small movement offers a glimmer of hope, but continued patience is required.

EB-4: Certain Special Immigrants

This category includes religious workers, certain broadcasters, Iraqi and Afghan translators, and others.

• Final Action Dates:
  • All Other Areas: Unchanged at July 1, 2020
  • China: Unchanged at July 1, 2020
  • India: Unchanged at September 1, 2019
  • Mexico: Unchanged at July 1, 2020
  • Philippines: Unchanged at July 1, 2020
• Dates for Filing:
  • All Other Areas: Unchanged at August 1, 2020
  • China: Unchanged at August 1, 2020
  • India: Unchanged at October 1, 2019
  • Mexico: Unchanged at August 1, 2020
  • Philippines: Unchanged at August 1, 2020

Practical Impact & Advice: EB-4 saw no movement this month. All areas continue to face backlogs, with India having the earliest priority date. Applicants should continue to monitor the bulletin. The dates are not as far back as some other categories, but still require patience.

EB-5: Immigrant Investors

This category is for investors who make a significant capital investment in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S.

• Final Action Dates:
  • All Other Areas: Current (C)
  • China (Set-Aside): Current (C)
  • China (Non-Regional Center): Unchanged at January 1, 2017
  • India: Current (C)
  • Mexico: Current (C)
  • Philippines: Current (C)
• Dates for Filing: All areas remain Current (C), except China (Non-Regional Center) which is Unchanged at January 1, 2017.

Practical Impact & Advice: Most EB-5 categories remain Current, which is excellent for investors from "All Other Areas," India, Mexico, and the Philippines, including those from China using the Set-Aside categories. China's Non-Regional Center category remains backlogged at January 2017. If you are an EB-5 investor and your category is current, you can proceed with your application without delay.

Summary of Key Employment-Based Movements (June 2024)

Here's a quick overview of the minimal employment-based advancements:

Final Action Dates (Employment-Based)

Dates for Filing (Employment-Based)

Historical Context and Trends

Comparing the June 2024 Visa Bulletin to previous months reveals a consistent pattern: significant movement in family-based categories, especially F2A, and general stagnation for employment-based categories, particularly for India and China. The last few months have seen positive, albeit sometimes incremental, shifts for family-sponsored visas, reflecting the State Department's efforts to process these cases.

The employment-based categories, especially for high-demand countries, continue to face the challenge of per-country limits and high demand exceeding available visa numbers. While small forward movements like those seen in EB-3 India are welcome, they highlight the long waiting times. We are now well into the second half of the fiscal year (FY2024), and often, the State Department will attempt to use as many available visa numbers as possible before the fiscal year ends on September 30th. This sometimes leads to more aggressive movements in the summer months, but also potential retrogressions if demand outstrips supply.

Actionable Advice for All Applicants

Regardless of your category, here's what you should be doing:

1. Know Your Priority Date: This is the most critical piece of information. It's the date your petition (I-130 or I-140) was properly filed and accepted by USCIS.
2. Check the Bulletin Monthly: The Visa Bulletin is released around the second week of each month. Always check the latest update.
3. Consult an Immigration Attorney: The information provided here is for general guidance. Your specific situation may require tailored advice. An experienced immigration attorney can help you understand your eligibility, prepare documents, and navigate the process.
4. Prepare Your Documents: Even if your priority date isn't current yet, start gathering all necessary documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances, financial documents, medical exam records, etc.). This will save you valuable time when your date finally becomes current.
5. Stay Informed with ImmiBook: We simplify the complex world of immigration for you. Track your case, get personalized updates, and access our comprehensive resources at ImmiBook Visa Bulletin Tracker.
6. Maintain Current Contact Information: Ensure USCIS and the National Visa Center (NVC) have your up-to-date mailing address and contact details to avoid missing crucial notifications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a "priority date"?

Your priority date is essentially your place in the visa queue. For family-sponsored preferences, it's the date the I-130 petition was filed. For employment-based preferences, it's usually the date the PERM labor certification was filed or, if no PERM is required, the date the I-140 petition was filed.

Q2: What does "Current (C)" mean?

"Current" means that visa numbers are immediately available for all eligible applicants in that category and country of chargeability. There is no backlog or waiting period beyond standard processing times.

Q3: What should I do if my priority date is current?

If your priority date is current under the appropriate chart (Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing, as indicated by USCIS), you should take immediate action! If you are in the U.S., you may be eligible to file Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status). If you are outside the U.S., the National Visa Center (NVC) should begin or continue