The October 2024 Visa Bulletin caught many off guard with its surprisingly positive movements. After months of stagnation and even some negative shifts, we witnessed significant forward movement in several categories. Some of the shifts were as large as two years, marking some of the most substantial advancements we’ve seen in months.
This unexpected turn of events was particularly welcome news for applicants who found themselves just beyond the cutoff dates in previous months. The positive shifts affected categories that had experienced setbacks in September, providing a much-needed boost to many immigration hopefuls.
As we approach the release of the November 2024 Visa Bulletin, many are wondering what to expect following October’s unexpected positive shifts. Let’s dive into what happened last month and what it might mean for the upcoming announcement
Certain Religious Workers
One notable aspect of the October bulletin was the absence of the “Certain Religious Workers” category from the Employment-Based Final Action Dates. This category has been somewhat unpredictable, fluctuating between availability and unavailability. While it was marked as unavailable for October 2024, this may not be a permanent change, given its history of reinstatement.
Analyzing October’s Shift and Its Implications
The October bulletin’s positive movement raised several questions. Was this a one-time correction by USCIS, or the beginning of a new trend? Did the agency feel they had pulled back too far in previous months and decided to make a significant adjustment?
It’s important to approach these changes with cautious optimism. While the positive shifts were certainly welcome, they may have been an anomaly rather than a new standard. USCIS constantly balances visa demand with processing capacity, which explains the previous slowdown in priority dates during high-demand periods.
Predictions for the November 2024 Visa Bulletin
As we look ahead to the November 2024 Visa Bulletin, we need to consider several factors:
Historical Patterns: Typically, USCIS makes gradual adjustments rather than dramatic shifts. October’s large positive movement was unusual, which suggests we might see a return to more conservative changes in November.
Visa Demand: The demand for visas in various categories plays a crucial role in determining priority date movements. If October’s shifts led to a surge in applications, we might see USCIS pump the brakes in November.
Processing Capacity: USCIS’s ability to process applications is another key factor. If they’re struggling to keep up with the increased demand following October’s positive shifts, we might see slower movement or even retrogression in some categories.
Economic Factors: The overall economic climate and job market can influence immigration policies. Any significant economic changes could impact visa availability.
Given these key considerations, it is wise for us to be vigilant and expect stagnancy or even negative shifts in the future bulletin board. That being said, it would not be completely unfounded to expect some positive shifts in certain employment-based categories, seeing that they have incurred positive shifts over the past few months.
November 2024 Visa Bulletin Release Date
Based on recent trends, we expect the November 2024 Visa Bulletin to be released anywhere between October 7, 2024, and October 11, 2024.
Check back as soon as the bulletin is released for our complete breakdown of priority date changes and updates.
Additional Visa Bulletin Resources
Here are some additional resources that can help you navigate the visa bulletin and green card process.