For Indian families waiting for permanent residency in the United States-that is, a green card-the September Visa Bulletin has brought relief. The green card availability dates have advanced significantly in several family-based categories.
However, there has been no major change in the EB-1 category. The EB-1 category includes people with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors and researchers, and certain senior executives of multinational companies. For India, the final action date in September is 15 October.
The September Visa Bulletin is the last bulletin of the current fiscal year. The U.S. fiscal year runs from 1 October to 30 September. New annual visa numbers will become available from 1 October.
13-month advancement in F-1
In the September Visa Bulletin, the final action date for the F-1 category for India and China has advanced from 15 December, 2018, to 22 January, 2020. This category is for the unmarried adult sons and daughters of US citizens.
Nearly 20-month advancement in F-2B
For the unmarried adult sons and daughters of green card holders, the F-2B date has advanced from 1 January, 2018, to 22 August, 2019. This means an advancement of nearly 20 months in one month.
Nearly 29-month advancement in F-3
For the married sons and daughters of US citizens, the F-3 final action date has advanced from 15 May, 2012, to 22 October, 2014. This represents an advancement of nearly 29 months.
One-month advancement in F-2A
For the spouses and minor children of green card holders, the F-2A date has advanced from 22 July, 2026, to 22 August, 2026.
In fiscal year 2026, the overall limit for family-based immigration is 2,26,000, while the employment-based immigration limit is 1,86,317. The per-country limit is 7%, or 28,862 visas.
Overall, there was significant progress this month in several family-based green card categories, while there was no change in EB-1.
New Bill introduced on immigration in the United States
Earlier, a bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate proposing to allow people who have continuously lived in the United States for the past seven years to apply for a green card.
A green card is an official document that allows a person to live and work permanently in the United States. It is officially called a Permanent Resident Card.
Why is this proposal important for Indian H-1B visa holders?
This proposal is being considered important for Indians because they make up the largest share of people working in the United States on H-1B visas.
Currently, a fixed limit (per-country cap) applies to each country for employment-based green cards. As a result, it takes thousands of Indians several years to obtain a green card.
If this bill becomes law, eligible H-1B visa holders who have continuously lived in the United States for the past seven years will have a new option to apply for a green card.
