October 2021 Visa Bulletin

D. EXPIRATION OF TWO EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES

Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR):

Pursuant to Section 102 of Division I, Title I of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260), the non-minister special immigrant program expires on September 30, 2021. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight September 29, 2021. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of September 29, 2021, and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted (repeat, admitted) into the U.S. no later than midnight September 29, 2021.

The final action date for this category has been listed as “Unavailable” for October.

If there is legislative action extending this category for FY-2022, the final action date would immediately become “Current” for October for all countries except El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, which would be subject to a March 15, 2019 final action date, and Mexico, which would be subject to a March 1, 2020 final action date.

Employment Fifth Preference I5 and R5 Regional Center Visa Categories (I5 and R5):

Division O, Title 1, Section 104 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 extended the immigrant investor pilot program until June 30, 2021. No I5 or R5 visas may be issued overseas or final action taken on adjustment of status cases after June 30, 2021.

The final action dates for the I5 and R5 categories have been listed as “Unavailable” for October.

If there is legislative action extending this category for October, the final action dates would immediately become “Current” for October for all countries except China-mainland born I5 and R5, which would be subject to a November 22, 2015 final action date.

E. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV

F. VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE COMING MONTHS

FAMILY-sponsored categories (potential monthly movement)

Worldwide dates:

F1: No movement expected
F2A: Current
F2B: No movement expected
F3: No movement expected
F4: No movement expected

EMPLOYMENT-based categories (potential monthly movement)

Employment First:

Worldwide: Current
China: Current
India: Current

Employment Second:

Worldwide: Current
China: Up to several months
India: Up to several months

Employment Third:

Worldwide: A final action date could be imposed as early as November
China: A retrogression of this date could occur as early as November
India: A retrogression of this date could occur as early as November
Mexico: A final action date could be imposed as early as November
Philippines: A final action date could be imposed as early as November

Employment Fourth: Current for most countries

El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras: Limited, if any, movement expected
Mexico: Limited, if any, movement expected

Employment Fifth: Current for most countries

China: No forward movement

The above final action date projections for the Family and Employment categories indicate what is likely to happen on a monthly basis through January. The determination of the actual monthly final action dates is subject to fluctuations in applicant demand and several other variables impacting processing.

G. @TRAVELGOV HOSTING MONTHLY YOUTUBE LIVE “CHATS WITH CHARLIE”

@TravelGov will be hosting "Chats with Charlie" on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/TravelGov) to discuss information provided in the monthly Visa Bulletin. This month’s chat is scheduled to take place on September 15, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. EST to discuss the October Visa Bulletin. Questions can be emailed to VisaBulletin@state.gov ahead of the event with "Chat with Charlie Question" in the subject line. Questions will also be taken via the YouTube Live Chat and will be answered in real-time. The event is intended to address issues of general interest related to the content of the Visa Bulletin, and no policy, case or post specific questions will be accepted.