The November 2023 Visa Bulletin has been released, bringing important updates to priority dates for both family-sponsored and employment-based green card applications. These monthly updates from the Department of State determine when you can take your next steps in the immigration process — whether that's filing for adjustment of status or receiving your immigrant visa.
Understanding the Visa Bulletin and Priority Dates
The Visa Bulletin contains two key charts: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications. Your priority date is essentially your place in line — it's established when your petition is filed with USCIS. When your priority date becomes "current" (meaning it's earlier than the date shown in the bulletin), you can move forward with your green card process.
For adjustment of status applications filed with USCIS, you typically must use the Final Action Dates chart unless USCIS specifically states otherwise on their website. This means you can only file your I-485 application when your priority date is current according to that chart.
November 2023 Family-Sponsored Updates
The November bulletin shows varying movement across different family preference categories:
- F1 (Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens): Remains at January 1, 2015, for most countries, but shows significant delays for Mexico (May 1, 2001) and Philippines (March 1, 2012)
- F2A (Spouses and minor children of permanent residents): February 8, 2019, for most countries
- F2B (Unmarried adult children of permanent residents): September 22, 2015, for most countries
- F3 (Married children of U.S. citizens): January 8, 2009, for most countries
- F4 (Siblings of adult U.S. citizens): April 22, 2007, for most countries
Countries like China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines continue to face longer wait times due to high demand and per-country limits.
Employment-Based Categories and Per-Country Limits
While the provided excerpt doesn't include the complete employment-based chart, it's important to note that employment-based categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3) are also subject to similar priority date systems. Workers from India and China typically face longer waits in EB-2 and EB-3 categories due to per-country limits.
The bulletin explains that each country is limited to 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits (25,620 visas), which creates bottlenecks for countries with high demand.
What You Should Do Now
If your priority date is approaching or has become current:
- Check USCIS website at uscis.gov/visabulletininfo to confirm which chart applies for adjustment of status filings
- Gather required documents if you haven't already — medical exams, financial documents, and other supporting evidence
- Consider timing for filing your I-485 application if your date is current
- Stay informed about monthly bulletin updates as dates can advance or retrogress
If your priority date is still years away, use this time to maintain your status, keep your address updated with USCIS, and ensure all your documents remain current.
Important: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Immigration law is complex, and individual circumstances vary significantly. The visa bulletin affects everyone differently depending on their specific situation, country of birth, and immigration category.
If you have questions about how the November 2023 Visa Bulletin affects your case, contact AKT LAW, LLC at (781) 488-0315 or book a consultation at aktimmigration.com. Our experienced team can help you understand your priority date, timing, and next steps in your immigration journey.