October 2021 Visa Bulletin

[See NewsFlash! Use “Dates for Filing Chart” for Oct 2021 Visa Bulletin, posted later on 13.Sep.2021.]

This morning, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the October 2021 Visa Bulletin, which is the first visa bulletin for fiscal year 2022. This month’s visa bulletin also includes some short-term predictions. All cutoff dates listed refer to the dates in the final action chart (i.e., Chart A), unless otherwise specified. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has not yet indicated whether stakeholders will be able to use the dates for filings chart (i.e., Chart B) in October for purposes of applying for adjustment of status.

No Movement in Final Action Chart

The cutoff dates in the final action chart (i.e., Chart A) for both the employment and family-based categories remain unchanged from the September 2021 Visa Bulletin. There is no forward movement or retrogression. The only difference in Chart A in the October 2021 Visa Bulletin compared to the previous month is that the “certain religious workers” sub-category of the employment-based, fourth preference (EB4) category is listed as unavailable. This is necessary because the program is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2021. If the program is renewed, the cutoff dates for certain religious workers will be the same for each country as its respective EB4 cutoff dates.

Short-Term Predictions

The October 2021 Visa Bulletin includes predictions for visa availability for the “coming months.” Most of these predictions are consistent with what had been previously indicated. However, the predictions for the employment-based, third preference (EB3) category are starkly different from what Charlie Oppenheim, Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, predicted a few weeks ago.

For EB3, retrogression may be necessary for both India and China, possibly as soon as November. Similarly, a cutoff date may need to be imposed next month for all other countries of chargeability in the EB3 category.

The employment-based, first preference (EB1) category is expected to remain current for all countries of chargeability.

For the employment-based, second preference (EB2) category, the cutoff dates for both China and India each month may move up by several months. This category is expected to remain current for all other countries of chargeability.

For the employment-based, fourth preference (EB4) category, little-to-no movement is expected for El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. This category should remain current for all other countries of chargeability.

For the employment-based, fifth preference (EB5) category, no forward movement is expected for China. This category is expected to remain current for all other countries of chargeability.

Conclusion

MurthyDotCom will continue to closely monitor and report on movement and predictions related to the monthly visa bulletin. Subscribe to the free MurthyBulletin to have weekly updates sent to your inbox.

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