April 2024 US Visa Bulletin: Details On Green Card Progress For Indian Applicants & Immigration Categories

The United States Department of State has released its eagerly awaited April 2024 Visa Bulletin. This bulletin brings significant advancements in the Final Action Dates and Filing Dates for Indian applicants across various Green Card categories, indicating opportunities for those seeking lawful permanent residency in the United States.

The visa bulletin serves as a roadmap for immigrants, detailing the availability of immigrant numbers for both "Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing Applications." These dates are crucial for immigrant visa applicants as they determine when individuals can submit relevant evidence to the National Visa Center and proceed with their applications.

One notable improvement in the April 2024 Visa Bulletin is the progression in the Final Action Dates for the Second Preference (F2A) category, which caters to spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age of lawful permanent residents. The Final Action Date for the F2A visa has advanced from June 2020 to September 2020, offering a more expedited pathway for eligible applicants.

Similarly, under the Fourth Preference (F4) category, which includes brothers and sisters of US citizens, the date for filing has moved up to April 2006 from February 2006. This adjustment provides renewed hope for individuals in this category awaiting their chance for a Green Card.

For Indian applicants in the EB-5 Unreserved categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5), the April 2024 Visa Bulletin maintains the Final Action Date at December 1, 2020, signifying stability in this immigration pathway. However, there are no changes to the EB-5 set-aside categories, including High Unemployment, Infrastructure, and Rural areas, indicating a consistent approach in these sectors.

To streamline the application process, individuals seeking adjustment of status (AOS) with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must refer to the Final Action Dates charts provided in the visa bulletin. This ensures that applicants file their AOS applications within the designated timeframe based on their preference category and country of origin.

The fiscal year 2024 imposes a limit of 2,26,000 for family-sponsored preference immigrants and at least 1,40,000 for employment-based preference immigrants worldwide. Moreover, the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 25,620, with an additional dependent area limit of 7,320, representing 2% of the total allocation.

Under the employment-based fifth preference, also known as EB-5, employment creation accounts for 7.1% of the worldwide level. Within this category, 32% of visas are reserved for qualified immigrants investing in rural areas, 10% for those investing in high unemployment areas, and 2% for infrastructure projects. The remaining 68% are unreserved and available for all other qualified immigrants seeking employment-based visas.

It's important to note that eligible immigrants receive priority in the application process based on the order in which their petitions are filed. Additionally, spouses and children of principal preference immigrants are entitled to the same status and priority, facilitating family unity throughout the immigration journey.

Overall, the April 2024 Visa Bulletin brings positive developments for Indian applicants and provides clarity on immigration pathways for individuals across various preference categories. Aspiring immigrants are encouraged to stay informed and take the necessary steps to pursue their dreams of lawful permanent residency in the United States.

For more information and updates on immigration policies and procedures, applicants can visit the official USCIS website and refer to the latest visa bulletins issued by the Department of State.