Policy Events
Immigration policy changes that may affect visa bulletin progression
New executive actions targeting immigrant visa holders who receive public assistance, creating uncertainty in visa processing timelines.
EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act provisions continue to be implemented, with set-aside categories for rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure projects.
EB visa numbers returned to normal ~140,000 level. Significant retrogression expected especially for India and China EB2/EB3.
FY2023 continued with elevated EB visa numbers due to remaining COVID-era spillover, though lower than FY2022.
Due to COVID-era unused family visas spilling over to EB categories, FY2022 saw approximately 281,000 EB visas available (double the normal ~140,000). EB1 and EB2 became current for most countries.
Biden revoked Trump-era immigrant and nonimmigrant visa bans, resuming normal processing.
Suspended entry of H-1B, H-2B, L, and J nonimmigrants. Indirectly affected EB pipeline by disrupting applicant flow.
Trump suspended entry of immigrants for 60 days, later extended through March 2021. Blocked new immigrant visa issuance.
US embassies and consulates suspended routine visa services due to COVID-19 pandemic, causing massive visa issuance backlog.
Executive order directing agencies to review immigration policies, leading to increased RFEs and scrutiny of H-1B and employment-based petitions.
Initial travel ban affecting nationals from 7 Muslim-majority countries, caused consular processing disruptions.
DOS began publishing a separate 'Dates for Filing' chart allowing earlier I-485 filing, significantly changing how applicants interact with the bulletin.
Protected children of visa petitioners from aging out of eligibility while waiting in backlog.
American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act recaptured unused visas and allowed H-1B portability and I-485 job portability after 180 days.