Understanding the U.S. Visa Bulletin is crucial for individuals seeking to immigrate to the United States, particularly through employment-based preferences and the Diversity Visa (DV) program. Each month, the Department of State releases this bulletin, providing updates on visa availability and application dates. For those wondering, What Number Is October in the fiscal year for U.S. immigration, it marks the beginning of the new fiscal year. This article breaks down the key information from a recent Visa Bulletin, focusing on October and the months ahead, to help you navigate the complexities of the U.S. immigration system.
Employment-Based Visa Application Dates for October
The Employment-Based visa categories are divided into several preferences, each with its own set of rules and availability. A significant factor impacting the Employment Third Preference Other Workers (EW) category is the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA). Due to NACARA, the annual limit of 10,000 EW visas is reduced by up to 5,000 each fiscal year, starting from Fiscal Year 2002. For Fiscal Year 2025, this reduction will be approximately 150.
To understand when you can file your visa application, it’s essential to refer to the Dates for Filing chart. This chart indicates the priority date you must have reached to assemble and submit your documents to the National Visa Center (NVC). The “application date” signifies the priority date of the earliest applicant who cannot yet submit their documentation. If a category is marked “current” (C), all applicants in that category can file, regardless of their priority date. Conversely, a listed date means only applicants with a priority date earlier than the specified date can file.
Here’s a breakdown of the Dates for Filing for Employment-Based Visa Applications:
| Employment- based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA- mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | C | 01JAN23 | 15APR22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01AUG23 | 01OCT20 | 01JAN13 | 01AUG23 | 01AUG23 |
| 3rd | 01MAR23 | 15NOV20 | 08JUN13 | 01MAR23 | 01MAR23 |
| Other Workers | 22MAY21 | 01JAN18 | 08JUN13 | 22MAY21 | 22MAY21 |
| 4th | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) | C | 01OCT16 | 01APR22 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Rural – 20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment – 10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure – 2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
It’s important to check www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo to confirm if USCIS will use this chart for filing adjustment of status applications.
Alt text: Employment-based visa application dates for October, categorized by preference and country of chargeability, detailing cut-off dates for China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines.
Diversity Immigrant (DV) Category for October and November
The Diversity Visa program, authorized under Section 203(c) of the INA, offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. However, NACARA also impacts the DV program, reducing the available visas by up to 5,000 each year. Further reductions are due to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. For DV-2025, the annual limit is approximately 51,350 visas. These visas are distributed across six geographic regions, with no single country receiving more than 7% of the total.
For October, DV numbers are available to qualified DV-2025 applicants from all regions and eligible countries, subject to certain cut-off numbers. These cut-off numbers represent the DV regional lottery rank below which visas are currently available.
Here are the Diversity Visa Category Rank Cut-offs for October:
| Region | All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately | |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICA | 15,000 | Except: Algeria 6,500 Egypt 8,250 Morocco 8,250 |
| ASIA | 3,000 | Except: Iran 2,950 Nepal 2,950 |
| EUROPE | 6,000 | Except: Russia 5,950 Uzbekistan 4,900 |
| NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | 2 | |
| OCEANIA | 500 | |
| SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN | 825 |
Alt text: Diversity Visa (DV) category rank cut-offs for October, specifying limits for Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, and the Caribbean, with exceptions for certain countries.
Looking ahead to November, the DV category rank cut-offs remain the same as in October:
| Region | All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately | |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICA | 15,000 | Except: Algeria 6,500 Egypt 8,250 Morocco 8,250 |
| ASIA | 3,000 | Except: Iran 2,950 Nepal 2,950 |
| EUROPE | 6,000 | Except: Russia 5,950 Uzbekistan 4,900 |
| NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | 2 | |
| OCEANIA | 500 | |
| SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN | 825 |
It is crucial to note that DV-2025 entitlement is valid only until September 30, 2025. Visa availability can change, and numbers may be exhausted before this date.
Scheduled Expiration of the Employment Fourth Preference Religious Workers (SR) Category
The Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category was extended until September 30, 2024, by H.R. 2882. As of October, the SR category is listed as “Unavailable” for all countries. Unless there is legislative action to extend this category, no SR visas can be issued, and final action on adjustment of status cases is halted after September 29, 2024. However, if extended, the category is expected to become available immediately with the same final action dates as other Employment Fourth Preference categories.
U.S. Government Employee Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 may impact certain U.S. Government employees abroad applying for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). This does not affect Iraqi and Afghan SQ and SI SIV applicants. Affected applicants should contact the relevant consular section for more information.
Stay Updated
For the most up-to-date information on visa processing, always refer to the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at travel.state.gov. The Visa Bulletin is a dynamic document, and staying informed is key to navigating your U.S. immigration journey.
In conclusion, October is the first number, or the first month, of the U.S. fiscal year, and the Visa Bulletin for October sets the stage for visa availability in the coming months. Understanding these numbers and dates is vital for anyone pursuing U.S. immigration through employment or the Diversity Visa program.
Alt text: The official seal of the United States Department of State, representing authority and trustworthiness of the source of visa bulletin information.
