Visa Bulletin for September 2004
Compared with August 2004: 1 lines moved forward, 2 retrogressed, current for all countries: EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-3 Other Workers, EB-4, EB-4 Religious Workers.
Final action dates
| Family | All countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Oct 22, 2000 | – | Oct 22, 2000 | Jan 1, 1992 | Jul 15, 1990 |
| F2A | Apr 15, 2000 | – | Apr 15, 2000 | Sep 15, 1997 | Apr 15, 2000 |
| F2B | Jul 1, 1995 | – | Jul 1, 1995 | Sep 1, 1991−3.0 mo | Jul 1, 1995 |
| F3 | Oct 15, 1997 | – | Oct 15, 1997 | May 1, 1992 | Aug 22, 1987−12.4 mo |
| F4 | Aug 15, 1992 | – | Sep 22, 1991+52 d | Aug 15, 1992 | Mar 22, 1982 |
| Employment | All countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | – | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | Current | – | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-3 | Current | – | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Current | – | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-4 | Current | – | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-4 Religious Workers | Current | – | Current | Current | Current |
What moved
What the State Department said
Retrogression of cut-off dates for septemberVisa Bulletin number 72, advised readers that continued heavy applicant demand for numbers could require additional retrogressions during September. It has been necessary to retrogress the Mexico F2B and Philippines F3 cut-off dates for September to keep issuances within the annual numerical limits.
With the start of the new fiscal year in October, an attempt will be made to return the cut-off dates to the latest dates established during FY-2004.
Determination of the numerical limits on immigrant required under the terms of the immigration and nationality act (INA)The State Department is required to make a determination of the worldwide numerical limitations, as outlined in Section 201(c) and (d) of the INA, on an annual basis. These calculations are based in part on data provided by the Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) regarding the number of immediate relative adjustments in the preceding year and the number of aliens paroled into the United States under Section 212(d)(5) in the second preceding year. Without this information, it is impossible to make an official determination of the annual limits. To avoid delays in processing while waiting for the CIS data, the Visa Office (VO) bases allocation on the minimum annual limits outlined in Section 201 of the INA. On July 29 th , CIS provided the required data to VO.
The Department of State has determined the family and employment preference numerical limits for FY-2004 in accordance with the terms of Section 201 of the INA. These numerical limitations for FY-2004 are as follows:
Worldwide Family-Sponsored preference limit: 226,000
Worldwide Employment-Based preference limit: 204,422
Under INA Section 202(A), the per-country limit is fixed at 7% of the family and employment annual limits. For FY-2004 the per-country limit is 30,130. The dependent area annual limit is 2%, or 8,608.
Released Aug 11, 2004. Official text: travel.state.gov.
Archive
Source: U.S. Department of State, Visa Bulletin (travel.state.gov), every monthly bulletin since 2003, parsed by 77.today. A bulletin can be revised after release; the State Department's page is the binding text. Not legal advice.