US Advances Dates For Several Visa Categories
Dates Of Several US Visa Categories Advanced: Reports
HYDERABAD: After months of visa retrogression, the US department of state (DoS) has advanced the final action dates for several Indian family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories, bringing relief to thousands of applicants.
In its July Visa Bulletin, the department announced significant forward movement for five family-sponsored visa categories—F1, F2A, F2B, F3 and F4—benefiting Indian nationals awaiting green cards.
The F1 visa category, for unmarried sons and daughters (21 years or older) of US citizens, moved ahead by 37 days— from June 8, 2016, to July 15, 2016.
The F2A category, for spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of US green card holders, saw the largest jump—243 days forward—from January 1, 2022, to September 1, 2022.
The F2B category, for unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of green card holders, was advanced by 23 days—from September 22, 2016, to October 15, 2016.
For the F3 category, which covers married sons and daughters of US citizens, the date moved forward by 40 days—from June 22, 2011, to August 1, 2011.
The F4 category, for brothers and sisters of US citizens (including their spouses and minor children), advanced from June 15, 2016, to July 8, 2016.
In the employment-based category, the EB-3 visa—which covers both skilled workers with at least two years of experience and unskilled labourers under the "other workers" category—advanced by seven days, from April 15, 2023, to April 22, 2023.
No changes were announced for the EB-1, EB-2, EB-4, and EB-5 categories.