The December 2024 Visa Bulletin has arrived, and with it, new insights into the landscape of employment-based immigration. This month’s bulletin reveals modest, but notable changes in priority dates, especially for Indian applicants in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. If you’re navigating the U.S. immigration system and keeping a close eye on priority dates, this analysis will help you understand the latest shifts and what they mean for applicants from various countries.

We break down the data below, highlighting any forward movements and providing insights into what to expect as we head into the new year. Read on to stay informed and plan your next steps with confidence.

Final Action Dates Movement: November 2024 to December 2024

Category	Chargeability Area	November 2024	December 2024	Change
EB-1	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	Current	Current	No change
	China	08NOV22	08NOV22	No change
	India	01FEB22	01FEB22	No change
EB-2	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	15MAR23	15MAR23	No change
	China	22MAR20	22MAR20	No change
	India	15JUL12	01AUG12	Minor forward movement
EB-3	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	15NOV22	15NOV22	No change
	China	01APR20	01APR20	No change
	India	01NOV12	08NOV12	Minor forward movement
EB-3 Other Workers	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	01DEC20	01DEC20	No change
	China	01JAN17	01JAN17	No change
	India	01NOV12	08NOV12	Minor forward movement
EB-5	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	Current	Current	No change
	China	15JUL16	15JUL16	No change
	India	01JAN22	01JAN22	No change

 

Dates for Filing Movement: November 2024 to December 2024

Category	Chargeability Area	November 2024	December 2024	Change
EB-1	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	Current	Current	No change
	China	01JAN23	01JAN23	No change
	India	15APR22	15APR22	No change
EB-2	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	01AUG23	01AUG23	No change
	China	01OCT20	01OCT20	No change
	India	01JAN13	01JAN13	No change
EB-3	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	01MAR23	01MAR23	No change
	China	15NOV20	15NOV20	No change
	India	08JUN13	08JUN13	No change
EB-3 Other Workers	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	22MAY21	22MAY21	No change
	China	01JAN18	01JAN18	No change
	India	01JUN13	01JUN13	No change
EB-5	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	Current	Current	No change
	China	01OCT16	01OCT16	No change
	India	01APR22	01APR22	No change

 

Key Takeaways from the Visa Bulletin Movement (November 2024 to December 2024)

• Minor Advancements in EB-2 and EB-3 for India. In December, the final action dates for India in EB-2 and EB-3 moved slightly forward. The EB-2 final action date advanced by approximately two weeks to 01AUG12, and EB-3 moved forward by a week to 08NOV12. While these shifts are minor, they offer incremental progress for Indian nationals facing long wait times in these categories.
• No Change for All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed and China. For applicants from All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed and China, both final action dates and dates for filing have not changed across most categories. This stability suggests that demand in these regions remains steady, without a significant increase or decrease in visa availability.
• Stable EB-5 Priority Dates. There was no change in EB-5 priority dates for India, China, or other chargeability areas. This category continues to provide a relatively stable pathway for eligible applicants, with little fluctuation in filing or final action dates.

What This Means for Employment-Based Applicants

• Limited Progress for India in EB-2 and EB-3. While the minor forward movement in India EB-2 and EB-3 categories is a positive sign, it underscores the significant backlog these applicants face. The incremental progress in priority dates means that Indian nationals should anticipate extended wait times, and those looking for faster options may consider alternative categories, if eligible.
• Consistent Filing Dates for Other Regions. Applicants in All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed and China should note that dates for filing have remained unchanged, providing a steady timeline for those gathering documentation and preparing their cases. This stability can be advantageous for applicants in planning their submission processes without the risk of sudden retrogressions.
• Long-Term Strategies for Backlogged Applicants. Given the slow progress in EB-2 and EB-3 for India and China, applicants should consider long-term strategies, such as exploring eligibility under EB-1 or EB-5 categories if feasible, or pursuing non-immigrant visa extensions to maintain status in the United States while waiting for priority dates to become current.

The December 2024 Visa Bulletin maintains much of the stability seen in previous months, with only slight advancements in India EB-2 and EB-3. Applicants should continue to monitor the bulletin monthly, particularly those from oversubscribed countries, to stay informed of.