tourist visa wait time

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

How to apply for or renew a U.S. tourist visa

If you visit the U.S. for tourism or business, you may need a visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa. Learn how to get and renew this type of nonimmigrant visa.

To enter the U.S., you must bring a passport issued by your country of citizenship along with your visa. Officials at your port of entry into the U.S. will also issue you a Form I-94, which electronically records your arrival and departure dates. Learn more about Form I-94 and how to apply .

Find out if you need a visa to visit the U.S.

Check to see if your country participates in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) . If it does, you can get a waiver and will not need a visa. If you do not see your country listed, you will need a visitor visa.

Visitor (tourist) visa

The visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa, is a type of nonimmigrant visa for people who wish to temporarily enter the U.S. There are two categories:

• B-1 for business travel
• B-2 for tourism and medical treatment

Learn about B-1 and B-2 visas , including:

• Reasons you would need each type of visitor visa
• How to apply
• What documents you will need
• Application fees
• How to prepare for your interview at your U.S. embassy or consulate

How to renew a visitor visa

You must renew your visitor visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Only diplomatic visa holders and their dependents can renew their visas within the U.S.

The process to renew a visitor visa is the same as getting one for the first time. Follow the process to apply for a visitor visa from the Department of State.

Find the contact information for your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and contact them for visa renewal information.

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

Have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

Indians face up to 3-year waits for U.S. tourist visas as consulates on the subcontinent are in disarray

In a Facebook group filled with almost 25,000 South Asians looking to travel to the U.S., daily anonymous posts fly in by the hundreds. 

“I am looking for B1/ B2 visa appointment in the next year,” one person wrote. 

Dozens of commenters underneath the appeal affirm its message: “Me too,” “Looking for my parents,” “The earliest one I’m seeing is for 2025.” 

The mass scramble is the result of record-long wait times for Indian nationals trying to get a tourist visa to the U.S., according to experts.

Waiting periods at American consulates in India range from a few months to several years just to secure an interview. A simple visit for the holiday season would sometimes require almost three years of advanced planning for someone who doesn’t already hold a visa.

Immigration economists say beyond the personal damage this is causing to families, the inaccessibility has the potential to stymie Indian immigration to the United States overall. 

“This is clearly a broken system,” said Gaurav Khanna, an assistant professor of economics at the University of California at San Diego, whose research focuses on immigration. “Grandparents haven’t seen grandkids in four years because of Covid, and now they can’t get visas. That affects how welcome the Indian diaspora themselves feel in the U.S. ‘If my family can’t come visit us, I don’t think my life in the U.S. is as rewarding as I was promised.’”

In some Indian cities, like Chennai and Hyderabad, the wait time for a tourist visa interview is 999 days, according to numbers released by the U.S. State Department, which far exceeds the global median wait time of two months. In Kolkata, the wait is 959 days. Other consulates are only taking appointments for emergency tourist visas, which experts suspect have a shorter backlog of their own. 

“Just from a pure management, organizational point of view, it seems like a completely dysfunctional system,” Khanna said. 

NBC News reached out to the State Department and has not received a response. In a statement released last month , they acknowledged prolonged wait times across the globe.

“The Department of State is successfully lowering visa interview wait times worldwide,” the statement said. “We have doubled our hiring of U.S. Foreign Service personnel to do this important work, visa processing is rebounding faster than projected, and in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 we expect to reach pre‑pandemic visa processing levels.”

According to Julia Gelatt, a senior analyst with the Migration Policy Institute, the disarray stems from travel moratoriums and hiring freezes during the height of the pandemic that left thousands of visas backlogged. The State Department cites staffing issues which it is trying to remedy, but Gelatt says it won't be a quick process.

“The State Department says that they’re doubling their hiring and they’re training up staff,” Gelatt said. “But it takes a while to staff consulates because they’re teaching Americans new languages and giving them lots of training before they’re put in their posts.”

But the Covid explanation isn’t satisfactory for Khanna.

“Most countries have had Covid-related backlogs and staffing issues,” he said. “At some point staffing issues are a sign of dysfunction…It’s fairly easy to get a visa to come to India from the U.S. People just have to wait a few weeks. But the other way around it takes a very long time. It shows that efficient systems can exist to grant visas.”

As the consulates’ backlogs continue to grow and available appointments stretch years into the future, some are taking matters into their own hands. On Facebook and WhatsApp, some South Asian organizations are offering people a back channel to earlier interview times, Khanna has observed. 

Dozens of social media groups dedicated to solving visa issues have cropped up this year alone , with admins flaunting successful early interview appointment bookings and encouraging members to direct-message them for help. Often marketed as "visa consulting," or "interview early date help," they reserve upcoming appointments in large numbers, then cancel and sell the slots to desperate travelers willing to spend the money, Khanna said. 

“That’s, again, a sign that there’s something wrong with the system here,” he said. “People who get in touch with these groups can pay a lot of money to get a quicker appointment. That’s really exacerbating the problem. But people are willing to pay.”

Khanna says they’re capitalizing off a lack of clarity behind the processes and complications that often arise when trying to get even a short-term U.S. visa. 

It adds another financial barrier to entry for lower-income South Asians trying to visit the United States, Khanna said. 

“It’s not equitable,” he said. “The consulates are saying it’s a staffing issue. Essentially, that’s another way of saying, ‘we haven’t gotten our act together.’ It’s not an excuse in any way.”

Khanna said families will continue to go years without seeing each other and America’s image as a haven for Indian immigrants has the potential to deteriorate. 

“As it is, they’re leaving their family on the other side of the world and now it’s difficult for their family to come visit,” he said. “That has impacts that are not just related to tourism. It has impacts on where the diaspora are willing to settle down. Do we want to be in a place like the U.S. where our family finds it so difficult to visit?”

Sakshi Venkatraman is a reporter for NBC Asian America.

Update May 10, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Tourism & Visit

Study & Exchange

Other Visa Categories

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Visa Information & Resources

Share this page:

Global Visa Wait Times

Last updated: 5-16-2024

The estimated wait time to receive an interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate can change weekly and is based on actual incoming workload and staffing. These are estimates only and do not guarantee the availability of an appointment.

Note: Embassies and Consulates may have a separate process for visa cases where the in-person interview requirement is waived.  In general wait times for those cases are shorter, but they are not reflected in the table below.  Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview. 

Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times.

Back to top

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Japanese

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Turkish

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Hebrew

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Albanian

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Tagalog

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Russian

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Polish

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Ukranian

Visa Wizard

Visa Denials

Fraud Warning

What the Visa Expiration Date Means

Lost and Stolen Passports, Visas, and Arrival/Departure Records (Form I-94)

Directory of Visa Categories

Straight Facts on U.S. Visas

Customer Service Statement

Photo Requirements

Administrative Processing Information

Visa Appointment Wait Times

Nonimmigrants in the United States–Applying for Visas in Canada or Mexico

Frequently Asked Questions

Rights and Protections for Foreign-Citizen Fiancé(e)s and Spouses of U.S. Citizens and Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents

Your Rights and Protections

Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers

Advisory Opinions

Safety & Security of U.S. Borders: Biometrics

National Visa Center Customer Service Pledge

Americans Traveling Abroad

The United States and China Agree to Extending Visas for Short-term Business Travelers, Tourists, and Students

Special Visa Processing Procedures Pursuant to Section 306

Capitalizing on Visa Demand to Spur Economic Growth in the United States

Congressional Testimony

Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CRFP) Program Appointments

List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates - K1-K3 Visas

U.S. Government Fact Sheet on Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C)

Skill List by Country

Public Inquiry Form

List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates

Immigrant Visa Interview-Ready Backlog Report

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - English

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - French

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Spanish

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Portuguese

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Mandarin

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Arabic

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Italian

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - German

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Vietnamese

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Romanian

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Korean

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Armenian

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Bulgarian

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Czech

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Hungarian

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Indonesian

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Lithuanian

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Serbian

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Thai

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Mongolian

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Kurdish

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

Language selection

• Français fr

Check processing times

Select an application type.

Which temporary residence application?

Where are you applying from?

• Afghanistan
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• British Virgin Islands
• Burkina Faso
• Burma (Myanmar)
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• China (People’s Republic of)
• Comoros Island
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Czech Republic
• Democractic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Hong Kong SAR
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia (Federated States of)
• Netherlands
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• North Korea
• Palestinian Authority (Gaza)
• Palestinian Authority (West Bank)
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• South Sudan
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Switzerland
• Timor-Leste (Timor oriental)
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• US Virgin Islands
• Visitor visa (from inside Canada)
• Visitor extension (Visitor record)

Where do your parents or grandparents live?

• Study permit (from outside Canada)
• Study permit (from inside Canada)
• Study permit extension
• Work permit (from inside Canada)
• Work permit from inside Canada (initial and extension)
• Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)

What season did you apply for?

• Last season
• Current season
• Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Which economic class application?

• Atlantic Immigration Pilot
• Atlantic Immigration Program
• Canadian Experience Class

Which caregiver program?

When did you apply?

How much work experience did you have?

• Less than 24 months
• 24 months or more
• Less than 12 months
• 12 months or more

How much work experience will you have when you apply?

Online via Express Entry?

• Self-employed persons (Federal)
• Quebec Business Class
• Skilled workers (Federal)
• Skilled trades (Federal)
• Skilled workers (Quebec)
• Start-up visa

Who are you sponsoring?

Where in Canada will you be living?

If you’ll be living in Quebec, due to the Canada–Quebec Accord, the Government of Quebec also needs to process your application. Because of this, we show a separate processing time for this province.

• Outside Quebec

Where does the child live?

Where does the adopted child or relative live?

Which refugee program?

• Protected persons and convention refugees (in Canada)
• Dependents of protected persons
• Humanitarian and Compassionate cases

Which type of citizenship application?

• Citizenship grant
• Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship)
• Resumption of citizenship
• Renunciation of citizenship
• Search of citizenship records

Did you submit a PR card application or solemn declaration?

• Yes, I am renewing or replacing my card, or I sent a solemn declaration
• No, I am waiting for my first card

Which type of document?

• Verification of Status
• Replacement of valid temporary resident documents
• Amendments of immigration documents
• Amendments of valid temporary resident documents

Last update: Error loading date. Try again. Updated weekly

Processing times service

We are committed to processing most complete applications within this time.

Processing times will vary based on:

• the type of application submitted
• if the application is complete
• how quickly we expect to process applications we’ve already received
• how easily we can verify your information
• how long you take to respond to any requests or concerns
• other factors

Problem with the online application

Some people applying for a study permit may have trouble using the online application. For example, if you’re currently a visitor in Canada and your spouse or common-law partner is a low-skilled worker, you may need to apply on paper.

Acknowledgment of receipt

You’ll get an acknowledgement of receipt letter or email  after  we receive your application  and  check that it’s  complete .

Processing times for applications outside Canada and the United States

Add 3 to 4 months to account for mailing time if you

• live outside Canada and the U.S. and
• are applying through a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate

Add 6 to 8 months to processing time if you

• are applying for a minor (under 18) who lives outside Canada and the U.S. and
• sent the application directly to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia

Processing times TR

Processing times will vary based on

• the type of application

Learn how processing times are calculated .

Processing times PR

Your processing time may also be affected if more people apply to immigrate to Canada than we can bring in each year.

Page details

International Students & Scholars

Apply for/renew your visa.

After receipt of your immigration documentation from UMD, and payment of the required SEVIS fee (F1/J1 only) , you can apply for your visa. An in-person interview is usually required. You should schedule your appointment as soon as possible. Some U.S. Embassies may have wait times for visa interviews and delays in visa processing.

To make your appointment and check wait times, visit the U.S. Visas - Department of State .

Note: You may not receive a U.S. visa more than 120 days before the reporting date on your I-20/DS-2019.

Attend the visa appointment and bring the application required documents listed below with you.

General Visa Application Required Documents

• U.S. Government Application form DS-160
• Payment of the U.S. Government Visa Application Fee
• U.S. passport-style photos for each visa applicant
• Passport(s) valid for at least 6 months into the future for each visa applicant 

Additional Requirements by Visa Category

• Dependent Visas
• Signed original I-20 or DS-2019 Form
• SEVIS Fee Receipt
• Proof of ties to your home country: F and J visas are non-immigrant visas. As such, you will need to show that you plan to return after your studies. You can do this by showing strong ties to your home country with evidence such as proof of property ownership, a job offer letter, or letters from family.
• Proof of financial support : You will need to present the financial documents you submitted for your I-20/DS-2019 checklist.
• Newly Admitted Student (F-1/J-1) – Admission Letter
• Any standardized test scores  you submitted to UMD
• Current Student (F-1/J-1) – Official Transcript and the Confirmation of visa status letter from iTerp
• Professors, research scholars, short-term scholars and interns (J-1) - Invitation letter from your sponsoring department
• OPT/STEM OPT (F-1) – Current OPT EAD Card and offer letter or proof of employment. If your STEM OPT application is still pending, ISSS does not recommend traveling abroad.
• Post-Completion Academic Training (J-1) – Offer letter or proof of employment

Note: Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not require visas to enter the United States as students. However, you must pay the SEVIS fee and present a valid Form I-20 at the time of admission. For more information see U.S. Department of State information for Citizens of Canada and Bermuda

Original bottom portion and a copy of the original I-797 H-1B Approval Notice and travel packet.   Appointment letter or job offer letter on university letterhead stating:

• Your position title and salary
• Academic Department
• Dates of Employment
• Brief job description  

Note: individuals in H-1B status are viewed as having a dual intent when entering the U.S. Dual intent means that the H-1B holder may intend either to return home at the end of the H-1B program or to apply for immigrant status.

• Original certified and signed Labor Condition Application
• Proof of payment of the visa fee.

Important: A person in initial E-3 status can enter the U.S. up to 10 days before the E-3 start date

Mexican Citizens do need to apply for a visa using their original and signed TN letter provided by the department, or they may present the original bottom portion and a copy of the original I-797 TN Approval Notice.

Canadian Citizens do not need to apply for a visa. You can enter the U.S. using your original and signed TN letter provided by the department.  

Important: A person in initial TN status can enter the U.S. up to 10 days before the TN start date.

Immediate family members (spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21) who will come with you to the U.S. may apply for dependent visas. You need to bring documents that prove your relationship. These can include a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or official family registry.

If your dependents go to the visa interview alone, they will need to bring copies of all the documents listed above for your visa category.  

If all goes according to plan, you will receive a visa stamp in your passport. Congratulations! Check your visa for errors before you leave the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

You may not enter the U.S. on your F-1 or J-1 visa more than 30 days prior to the report date on your I-20/DS-2019. Keep in mind the visa itself does not guarantee admission into the U.S.; all other documents must be in order as well . 

Individuals entering the U.S. in H-1B/O-1/E-3/TN status may enter the U.S. no more than 10 days before their start date.

Please contact ISSS if you received a late visa appointment and will not be able to enter the U.S. by the report date on your I-20/DS-2019, or if your visa application has been denied.

Note: For J-1 visa holders, the U.S. Embassies may put your DS-2019 in a sealed envelope and staple it to your passport. We recommended that you do not open this envelope. The Immigration officer at the U.S. port-of-entry will open it and check your documents when you arrive.   

If you have difficulty scheduling your visa appointment due to an unforeseen situation, such as a funeral or medical emergency, you may request an Expedited Visa Interview . Check the instructions posted on your U.S. Embassy website to schedule visa interviews. You will have to provide proof of your need for an early appointment.

Your I-20/DS2019 start date provides the necessary information you need to demonstrate your start date at UMD. Feel free to use our visa expedition letter if you feel it will assist your immigration case.

• Administrative Processing    The U.S. Embassy may inform you your visa requires Administrative Processing. This means the consular officer needs more information before deciding to issue you a visa. Administrative processing can result in significant delays in visa issuance. Contact us and your UMD department if you will be unable to arrive for the start of your program.    
• Visa Denial    Contact us if your visa application has been denied

You only need the visa stamp in your passport to enter into the United States. Once you are in the U.S. the visa stamp may expire as long as you have:

• A passport that is valid for at least six months into the future
• An unexpired I-20 (for F-1s) or DS-2019 (for J-1s)
• An I-94 that indicates D/S (F-1 and J-1 only) or a date into the future
• A valid I-797 Approval Notice or valid I-94 for H-1B, O-1, E-3 or TN

If you leave the country, you will need to apply for a new visa before returning to the United States.

Arrival to U.S. - U.S. Customs and I-94

Arriving on Campus

This website uses cookies to measure traffic and improve your experience. View our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Create Account

When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: June 2024

Are you seeking to adjust your status and become a U.S. permanent resident under a family-sponsored or employment-based preference immigrant visa? If you have not yet had a relative or employer file an immigrant visa petition on your behalf, please learn more about the Adjustment of Status Filing Process . If you already have a petition filed or approved on your behalf, you may have to wait for an available visa in your category (if applicable) before you can file your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status . This page will help you determine when to file your adjustment of status application.

When to File

Use the Visa Bulletin charts below to determine when to file your adjustment of status application.

To use the charts:

• Find your visa type in the first column (on the left) of the appropriate chart (Family-sponsored or Employment-based).
• Stay in that row and move directly to the right to find the corresponding date under the country of your birth (as listed in the boldface columns across the top).
• If the date on the chart is current (“C”), or your priority date is earlier than the date on the chart, you may file your adjustment of status application, if otherwise eligible to do so.
• “U” means unauthorized; for example, numbers are not authorized for issuance.

Your priority date is generally the date when your relative or employer properly filed the immigrant visa petition on your behalf with USCIS. If a labor certification is required to be filed with your immigrant visa petition, the priority date is the date the labor certification application was accepted for processing by the Department of Labor.

About the Visa Bulletin

DOS publishes current immigrant visa availability information in a monthly Visa Bulletin . The Visa Bulletin indicates when statutorily limited visas are available for issuance to prospective immigrants based on their individual priority date.

On Nov. 20, 2014, the Secretary of Homeland Security directed USCIS to work with DOS to:

• Ensure that all immigrant visas authorized by Congress are issued to eligible individuals when there is sufficient demand for such visas, and
• Improve the Visa Bulletin system for determining when immigrant visas are available to applicants during the fiscal year.

Additionally, in July 2015, the Administration issued its report on Modernizing and Streamlining Our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century (PDF) . This report included detailed recommendations to revise and update the monthly Visa Bulletin to better estimate immigrant visa availability and provide needed predictability to nonimmigrant workers seeking permanent residency.

USCIS, in coordination with DOS, revised the procedures for determining visa availability for applicants waiting to file for adjustment of status. The revised process will better align with procedures DOS uses for noncitizens who seek to become U.S. permanent residents by applying for immigrant visas at U.S. consulates and embassies abroad.

This revised process will enhance DOS’s ability to more accurately predict overall immigrant visa demand in determining the cut-off dates for the Visa Bulletin. This will help ensure that the maximum number of immigrant visas are issued annually as intended by Congress, and minimize month-to-month fluctuations in Visa Bulletin final action dates. Additional goals are outlined in the White House report, Modernizing and Streamlining Our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century (PDF) .

New Visa Bulletin Charts

The Visa Bulletin will now have two different charts because of the revised procedures. DOS will post two charts per visa preference category in the DOS Visa Bulletin. The charts are:

• Application Final Action Dates (dates when visas may finally be issued); and
• Dates for Filing Applications (earliest dates when applicants may be able to apply).

When USCIS determines there are immigrant visas available for the filing of additional adjustment of status applications, the Dates for Filing Applications chart may be used to determine when to file an adjustment of status application with USCIS. Otherwise, the Application Final Action Dates chart must be used to determine when to file an adjustment of status application with USCIS.

In coordination with the DOS, USCIS will monitor visa numbers each month and post the relevant chart on this page under When to File.

Determining Visa Availability

USCIS considers several factors to determine if there is a greater supply of visas than the demand for those visas. To determine visa availability, USCIS will compare the number of visas available for the remainder of the fiscal year with:

• Documentarily qualified visa applications reported by DOS;
• Pending adjustment of status applications reported by USCIS; and
• Historical drop off rate of applicants for adjustment of status (for example, denials, withdrawals and abandonments)

Money blog: 'Extremely worrying' mortgage trend revealed in new report; a third of people make this mistake when booking their holiday - and how to avoid it

A third of travellers are making the same mistake when going on holiday, figures show. Read about this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news in the Money blog - and leave a comment or your money problem in the box below.

Friday 17 May 2024 06:33, UK

• 'Seismic shift' as number of bank branch closures passes 6,000
• Drivers hit by 'unfairly high margins' on fuel

Essential reads

• Is more expensive steak better for you?
• Basically...  What is PIP - and what could government changes mean?
• How to make sure your car passes its MOT
• Cheap Eats:  Michelin-star chef reveals his top steals in London - including an unbeatable sub sandwich
• Money Problem: My workplace wants to pay us by the minute - what can I do?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

Drivers are suffering from "unfairly high margins" on fuel sales, Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho has been warned.

In a letter to the cabinet minister, the RAC said the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) must be given the power to take "meaningful action" against companies charging too much for petrol and diesel.

The average retailer margin - the difference between the amount they pay for fuel and the pump price - has been above 18p per litre for diesel since 7 May and is nearly 12p per litre for petrol, RAC head of policy Simon Williams wrote.

The long-term average for both fuels is 8p.

The RAC believes if retailers charged "fairer" margins, the average price of a litre of petrol and diesel would be around 145p, down from the current prices of 150p per litre for petrol and 157p per litre for diesel.

Mr Williams said the current margins being charged by larger retailers in particular were "extremely unfair on drivers struggling to get by in the cost of living crisis". 

"It's very concerning to see fuel margins at such high levels, particularly as this is happening under the close eye of the CMA and while retailers are voluntarily sharing their forecourt prices with the intention of increasing competition," he said.

The RAC spokesman added that the situation would only be improved in the long-term if the CMA took "meaningful action against retailers whose margins are deemed not to be mirroring significant reductions in the cost of wholesale fuel".

It can be hard to balance the demands of eating well without spending a lot.

In this series, we try to find the healthiest options in the supermarket for the best value - and have enlisted the help of  Sunna Van Kampen , founder of Tonic Health, who went viral on social media for reviewing food in the search of healthier choices.

In this series we don't try to find the outright healthiest option, but help you get better nutritional value for as little money as possible.

This time we're looking at meat. 

"When it comes to which type of meat you buy, there's a common misconception the more expensive the cut the healthier it is," Sunna says.

"But fatty meat stores more nutrients than their lean counterparts - vitamins like A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble and stored in animal fat - so, a fillet steak may contain less nutrients than its fatty cousin," he adds. 

The science

We typically turn towards leaner cuts of meat due to the common belief that saturated fat from animals is something to be avoided. 

"Yet, the latest science suggests that saturated fat and cholesterol may not be as harmful as researchers once thought they were," Sunna says.

He points to a  2020 review  in the National Library of Medicine that looked at several studies on saturated fat and heart disease - and found that the association between the two appeared to be weak.

That being said, a large amount of fat in your diet is in no way advisable - but don't be afraid to introduce fattier cuts. 

Sunna swears by mincemeat - preferring it to steak if choosing the fattier kind. 

Most supermarkets sell somewhere between 5-20% versions - and Sunna urges shoppers to put the higher percentages in their baskets. 

"Mince beef with higher fat content isn’t just about the added fat-soluble vitamins; it's also about what comes with it," he says.

"The added tendons, ligaments and connective tissue in mince beef provides collagen."

Collagen is a protein - full of amino acids that supports the structure of your skin, hair, and nails. 

It also plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of your joints and connective tissues. 

"By choosing mince beef with 20% fat, you're getting a broader nutritional profile, including those collagen benefits," he says. 

Using prices from major supermarkets, Sunna compares his the money and the health for major beef products... 

• Fillet steak: Around £35/kg, it's the most expensive cut and doesn't provide as many health upsides as other, cheaper options
• Ribeye steak : Around £24/kg, with added fat that offers more fat-soluble vitamins.
• Rump steak: Around £15/kg, it’s one of the most economical ways to steak and that nice rind of fat will give you the added nutrition.
• Steak mince beef 5% fat: Around £7/ kg, it's premium mince but at over half the price of steak, making a great affordable option, but the lower fat content is only really good for reducing the calories.
• Mince beef 20% fat: Priced at about £5/kg, it's one of the most affordable options that gives you the most health upside - with all the added fat-soluble vitamins, omega 3s and collagen. 

"Swapping a fillet steak a week to 20% mince could save you £182.52 a year and you'd be increasing your nutrition intake considerably," Sunna says.

"Not only does mince beef save you money, but it also provides a versatile base for countless dishes - burgers, meatballs, bolognese, tacos -the possibilities are endless."

Organics and grass-feds

"Whilst all unprocessed meat is healthy, there are benefits to the quality of your meat," Sunna continues. 

"Typically, a local grass-fed cut of meat has higher omega-3 fatty acids which are beneficial for heart and brain health - up to 6x more  in fact than feed-lot cattle," he adds. 

These can often be far more expensive, however. 

"Choosing between fillet steak and mince beef doesn't have to be a battle of indulgence versus health - both have their unique nutritional benefits, but when it comes to a cost-effective, nutritious option, mince beef with 20% fat takes the win," he says.

The nutritionist's view, from Dr Claire Shortt, lead scientist at  FoodMarble ...

While it's fine to consider cheaper cuts of beef over say filet mignon, it's best to moderate red meat intake given potential links to certain cancers. 

Processed meats are more problematic again, especially from a bowel or stomach cancer perspective. In fact, the World Health Organisation classifies them as a Class I carcinogen (i.e. "known to cause cancer"). 

Read more from this series... 

The number of UK bank branches that have closed forever passes 6,000 today, according to the consumer group Which?

Which? said eight Barclays branches were shutting their doors today, taking the total by the end of the day to 6,005.

This equates to more 60% of the bank branch network since Which? began tracking closures in 2015.

The eight Barclays closures relate to branches in Alperton in Wembley, Andover in Hampshire, Bangor in County Down, Bracknell in Berkshire, Hornchurch in Essex, Inverness in the Highlands in Scotland, Liverpool and Streatham in London.

Barclays has closed 1,216 branches, according to Which?

NatWest Group, which comprises NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank, has closed 1,360 branches and Lloyds Banking Group, made up of Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, has shut 1,146 sites, the consumer group said.

Which? said 200 closures by various banks were already scheduled for the rest of 2024.

Currently, 24 more bank branch closures have been scheduled for 2025, although more are expected to be announced later this year and next, it added.

While millions of consumers have made the switch to banking digitally, there remains a significant number of people who are not yet ready or willing to make that jump, underscoring the need for accessible alternatives, Which? said.

Sam Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money, said the closures showed a "seismic shift" had taken place in terms of our banking habits and the character of the British high street.

"While some may hardly notice the closure of their local branch as they seamlessly switch to online banking, for others reliant on face-to-face services, the impact can be disastrous," he said.

Landlords selling properties "represent the single biggest threat to renters", according to the UK's landlord association.

Government data shows 5,790 households were threatened with homelessness between October to December last year due to receiving a notice to end an assured shorthold tenancy (this ends a person's tenancy).

And the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has said 45% have been left needing help because their landlord planned to sell the property in the second half of 2023.

Separately, data from Rightmove found that 50,000 rental properties were needed to bring the supply of rental homes back to pre-pandemic levels.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, said the only answer was to "ensure responsible landlords have the confidence to stay in the market and sustain tenancies".

He said it was "vital" the Renters Reform Bill, which is currently being debated in the House of Lords, "worked for landlords as well as tenants".

"Landlords selling up is the single biggest challenge renters face," Mr Beadle said.

Around 16% of high net worth shoppers have cut spending on luxury goods, research shows - with Burberry among the companies seemingly taking a hit.

Data from wealth management firm Saltus , which surveyed 2,000 Britons who had assets of more than £250,000, found 16.29% of respondents had cut down on their personal spending in response to the current high interest rate environment and/or the impact of the rising cost of living.

And 15.78%, said they had cut down on luxury items and designer clothes. 

Meanwhile, just 9.42% of respondents said the current environment had not impacted their lifestyle.

The figures follow data this week from designer store Burberry - which reported a 34% drop in annual operating profit.

Mike Stimpson, partner at Saltus, said high net worth individuals were having to "prioritise spending on essential costs including mortgages and supporting their families". 

"While this reduction is not limited entirely to personal spending on luxury items, it is inevitable that brands like Burberry feel the impact, although different businesses will clearly respond differently to these pressures," he said.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is hiring 2,500 "external agents" to crackdown on "benefit cheats".

The extra staff will check millions of Universal Credit claims for accuracy as part of the government's new fraud plan.

Combined with the DWP's own internal agents tackling fraud, this will take the headcount to nearly 6,000 people.

In addition to this, the DWP is introducing a new civil penalty to punish fraudsters, and investing £70m into advanced data analytics to catch those who "exploit the natural compassion and generosity of the British people".

Work and pensions secretary Mel Stride, said: "We are scaling up the fight against those stealing from the taxpayer, building on our success in stopping £18bn going into the wrong hands in 2022-23.

"With new legal powers, better data and thousands of additional staff, our comprehensive plan ensures we have the necessary tools to tackle the scourge of benefit fraud."

With the new 15 hours a week free childcare funding coming into effect this week for children aged between 9-23 months, research shows grandparents still play a key role in helping with costs.

In April, all two-year-olds from eligible working families became entitled to 15 hours free childcare each week. 

And as of this week, eligible working parents of children aged between 9-23 months are also able to apply to claim the same from September.

The government plans to increase this to 30 hours a week from September 2025.

However, grandparents still play a key role and therefore are still likely to be called upon for help from parents, according to data from the finance firm SunLife .

Data shows that half of the UK's 14 million grandparents provide childcare for their grandchildren during the working week and this rises to 55% of those with grandchildren under the age of one.

On average, the UK's grandparents spend between 22-24 hours a week providing free childcare for grandchildren under three-years-old.

So how much are grandparents saving their families and what if they were paid?

Research suggests grandparents are saving parents around £250 a week in childcare costs on average - this means that collectively, grandparents are saving their families £96bn in equivalent childcare costs every year. 

SunLife's grandparent salary calculator, which uses the average pay for the many roles grandparents are taking to calculate what their "grandparent salary" would be, has also found that if grandparents were paid for the 22 hours a week they would receive an annual salary of £13,188.

Victoria Heath, chief marketing officer at SunLife, said it was   "no wonder" one in five grandparents felt their children would struggle financially without their help.

She said research showed that 13% of grandparents felt they were relied on too much for childcare, and 14% loved doing it but felt it was too much at their age.

"Having said that, most (59%) grandparents who do provide childcare say they love helping out, so it is likely they will still play a key role, because whether they are still 'needed' or not, they are certainly still wanted, and most are more than happy to do it," Ms Heath added.

How can you apply for the 15 hours free childcare?

To apply for the funding you'll need the following: 

• National Insurance number;
• Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you're self-employed;
• the UK birth certificate reference number of any children you're applying for;
• the date you started or are due to start work.

Then, you'll need to go onto the gov.uk website and start an application.

It usually takes 20 minutes to apply and once your application has been approved, you'll get a code for free childcare to give to your childcare provider.

Mortgage possession actions have continued to rise and are currently above the previous year's levels, according to data from the Ministry of Justice .

The latest data shows mortgage claims, orders, warrants and repossessions have continued their gradual upward trend and claims are at their highest since 2019.

When compared to the same quarter in 2023, mortgage possession claims increased from 4,035 to 5,182 - this is a rise of 28%.

Meanwhile, mortgage orders increased from 2,532 to 3,019, warrants from 2,636 to 2,881 and repossessions by county court bailiffs from 729 to 759.

Landlord possession claims also increased from 23,389 to 24,874 when compared to the same quarter last year.

Craig Fish, director at Lodestone mortgages and protection, told Newspage things "need to change and quickly before it's too late".

"Though this data makes hard reading and is extremely worrying, it's not unexpected due to the significantly higher interest rate environment in which borrowers now find themselves," he said.

And Ben Perks, managing director at Orchard Financial Advisers, said he was "concerned these figures will continue to rise". 

He told Newspage: "The Bank of England seems totally oblivious to the plight of the average mortgage borrower, but hopefully this data will kick their hesitancy to drop the base rate firmly into touch. The time to act is now."

Tesco has recalled its sandwich pickle over fears it may contain glass.

The supermarket has pulled its 295g jars of Tesco Sandwich Pickle with the batch code 3254 and best before date of 11 September 2025 due to the concerns of glass traces.

The Food Standards Agency has said on its website: "This product may contain pieces of glass which makes it unsafe to eat."

Last year, the supermarket chain had to recall pastry products, including sausage rolls and steak and ale pies, over fears they contained pieces of metal and plastic.

A Tesco spokesperson told Sky News: "We've been made aware that a specific date/batch code of Tesco Sandwich Pickle may contain small pieces of glass. Therefore, this product could pose a safety risk if consumed.

"Please do not consume this product and instead return any affected product to store where a full refund will be given. No receipt is required.

"Tesco apologises to our customers for any inconvenience caused."

By Ed Clowes, news reporter

The FTSE 100 has remained stable out of the gate this morning after hitting a record high on Wednesday as better-than-expected inflation data in the US raised hopes of an interest rate cut in September.

It's been a busy start to the day with financial updates from BT Group, Premier Foods, Sage Group, and easyJet.

We'll start with easyJet, after the airline announced that its chief executive officer, Johan Lundgren, would step down in January 2025.

Mr Lundgren, who has served as CEO since 2017, will be replaced by the carrier's finance boss Kenton Jarvis.

In a financial update on its performance throughout the first half of the year, easyJet reported slightly higher revenues than anticipated, while cutting its losses compared to the same period last year.

The airline's share price fell by 6% in early trading this morning.

Elsewhere, telecoms giant BT said it had completed a £3bn cost-cutting programme ahead of schedule, and announced a further £3bn in planned savings by 2029.

The company told Sky News that the planned reductions in spending would not lead to more job losses, after BT announced last year that it would eliminate 55,000 roles.

Incoming boss Allison Kirkby said she wanted the business to prioritise the UK, with some analysts expecting BT to look at the futures of its Italian, Irish, and American divisions.

And last but not least, one of Europe's largest sellers of Rolex watches has said that sales in the UK are still down because some tourists don't want to buy here "due to the lack of VAT free shopping".

Nice for some.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Update May 10, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents, u.s. visa law & policy.

Judicial Assistance Country Information

Share this page:

The Visa Bulletin

Visa Statistics

Laws & Regulations

Accepting, Serving in, or Performing Duties of a Position with the Government of a Foreign State - Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Sectioin 349(a)(4)

Loss of U.S. Nationality and Service in the Armed Forces of a Foreign State - Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 349(a)(3)

Visa Bulletin For June 2024

Number 90 Volume X Washington, D.C

View as Printer Friendly PDF

A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS

This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during June  for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.

Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at  www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo , individuals seeking to file applications for adjustment of status with USCIS must use the “Final Action Dates” charts below for determining when they can file such applications. When USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for the fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, USCIS will state on its website that applicants may instead use the “Dates for Filing Visa Applications” charts in this Bulletin. 

1.  Procedures for determining dates. Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; USCIS reports applicants for adjustment of status. Allocations in the charts below were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates, for demand received by May 2nd . If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. The final action date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits. If it becomes necessary during the monthly allocation process to retrogress a final action date, supplemental requests for numbers will be honored only if the priority date falls within the new final action date announced in this bulletin. If at any time an annual limit were reached, it would be necessary to immediately make the preference category “unavailable”, and no further requests for numbers would be honored.

2.  The fiscal year 2024 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants determined in accordance with Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is 226,000.  The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000.  Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 25,620.  The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320.

3.  INA Section 203(e) provides that family-sponsored and employment-based preference visas be issued to eligible immigrants in the order in which a petition in behalf of each has been filed. Section 203(d) provides that spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, if accompanying or following to join the principal. The visa prorating provisions of Section 202(e) apply to allocations for a foreign state or dependent area when visa issuances will exceed the per-country limit. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas:  CHINA-mainland born, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. 

4.  Section 203(a) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Family-sponsored immigrant visas as follows: 

FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES

First : ( F1 ) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens:  23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.

Second : Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents:  114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers:

A. ( F2A ) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents:  77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;

B. ( F2B ) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents:  23% of the overall second preference limitation.

Third : ( F3 ) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens:  23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.

Fourth : ( F4 ) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens:  65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.

A.   FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES

On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below.)

For June, F2A numbers  EXEMPT from per-country limit  are authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority dates  earlier  than 01FEB21. F2A numbers  SUBJECT to per-country limit  are authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO , with priority dates beginning 01FEB21 and earlier than 15NOV21. All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit.

B.  DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSORED VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart below may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date.

The “C” listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which is earlier than the listed date may file their application.

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 4.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 

5.  Section 203(b) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Employment-based immigrant visas as follows: 

EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES

First :  Priority Workers:  28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.

Second :  Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability:  28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.

Third :  Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers:  28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "*Other Workers".

Fourth :  Certain Special Immigrants:  7.1% of the worldwide level.

Fifth :  Employment Creation:  7.1% of the worldwide level, of which 32% are reserved as follows: 20% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a rural area; 10% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a high unemployment area; and 2% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in infrastructure projects. The remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants.

A.  FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES

*Employment Third Preference Other Workers Category: Section 203(e) of the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997, as amended by Section 1(e) of Pub. L. 105-139, provides that once the Employment Third Preference Other Worker (EW) cut-off date has reached the priority date of the latest EW petition approved prior to November 19, 1997, the 10,000 EW numbers available for a fiscal year are to be reduced by up to 5,000 annually beginning in the following fiscal year. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. Since the EW final action date reached November 19, 1997 during Fiscal Year 2001, the reduction in the EW annual limit to 5,000 began in Fiscal Year 2002. For Fiscal Year 2024 this reduction will be limited to approximately 150.

B.  DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date.

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 5.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 

B .   DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT (DV) CATEGORY FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE

Section 203(c) of the INA provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year to permit additional immigration opportunities for persons from countries with low admissions during the previous five years.  The NACARA stipulates that beginning with DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program.  Visa numbers made available to NACARA applicants in FY 2023 will result in reduction of the DV-2024 annual limit to approximately 54,850.  Section 5104 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 amended the NACARA’s provisions on the Diversity Visa program such that the number of visas made available under the NDAA will be deducted from the 55,000 DVs annually allocated.  These amendments will not impact the number of diversity visas available until FY 2025.  DVs are divided among six geographic regions. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year.

For June , immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2024 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers  BELOW  the specified allocation cut-off number:

Entitlement to immigrant status in the DV category lasts only through the end of the fiscal (visa) year for which the applicant is selected in the lottery. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2024 program ends as of September 30, 2024. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2024 applicants after that date. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2024 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2024. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2024 cannot be taken for granted. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30.

C.   THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANT CATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFS WHICH WILL APPLY IN JULY

For July , immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2024 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers  BELOW  the specified allocation cut-off number:

D.   VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT-BASED SECOND (EB-2) PREFERENCE CATEGORY

High demand in the Employment Second category will most likely necessitate retrogression of the worldwide final action date (including Mexico and Philippines) in the next month to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the Fiscal Year 2024 annual limit. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.

E.   VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT-BASED THIRD (EB-3) PREFERENCE CATEGORY

High demand in the Employment Third category will most likely necessitate retrogression of the worldwide final action date (including Mexico and Philippines) in the next month to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the Fiscal Year 2024 annual limit. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly. 

F.   U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS (SIVs)

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, signed into law on December 22, 2023, may affect certain current and former employees of the U.S. Government abroad applying for SIVs or adjustment of status, as described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the INA.  This does not affect certain Iraqis and Afghans applying for SQ and SI SIVs.  Applicants should contact the consular section at which they filed their Form DS‑1884 for further information on the impact of that law on their case.

G.   FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV

Department of State Publication 9514

CA/VO: May 2, 2024

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit: