The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has released the June Visa Bulletin, highlighting progress in the employment-based second and third preference green card categories. According to the bulletin, there have been advancements in the priority dates for both filing green card applications and obtaining immigrant visas for these categories.
However, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has decided to continue using the Final Action Dates from the Visa Bulletin for employment-based green card applications in June, rather than the Dates for Filing. This decision may affect the timeline for some applicants.
For the employment-based first preference category (EB-1), the status remains “current” in June, as it has in previous months. This allows eligible individuals, whether inside or outside the U.S., to file green card applications without waiting, provided their priority date is current. Those within the U.S. can file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) concurrently with Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker).
For applicants abroad, the current status means they can apply for an immigrant visa immediately after approval of their I-140 petition. However, significant delays may occur due to visa backlogs at U.S. embassies and consulates, potentially extending the wait for interview scheduling.
In the employment-based second preference category (EB-2), there has been a notable improvement in the priority date for filing Form I-485. The priority date has advanced from June 22, 2023, in May to October 15, 2023, for June. This progress enables individuals with priority dates on or before October 15, 2023, to file green card applications if they are in the U.S. For those outside the U.S., applicants with priority dates prior to October 15, 2023, may be eligible to schedule immigrant visa interviews and obtain visas in June, though consular processing times could cause delays.
The employment-based third preference category (EB-3) for skilled workers has also seen incremental progress. Applicants who filed their labor certification (PERM) on or before February 8, 2023, and have an approved certification can file Form I-485 in June. This reflects an improvement of about one month from the previous bulletin.
For those outside the U.S. with approved labor certifications filed before February 8, 2023, immigrant visa interviews may be scheduled in June, subject to consular availability. Similarly, for unskilled workers in the EB-3 category, those with approved labor certifications filed on or before June 22, 2021, can file Form I-485 in June, marking a one-month advancement from May. Applicants outside the U.S. in this subcategory with certifications filed before June 22, 2021, may also be eligible for visa interviews in June, though embassy backlogs could extend wait times.
The employment-based fourth preference category (EB-4), which includes special immigrants and religious workers, is currently unavailable. The U.S. Department of State announced that the annual visa limit for this category was reached within the first five months of the fiscal year.
As a result, no further EB-4 visas or green cards will be issued until the new fiscal year begins on October 1, 2025. Applicants in this category will need to wait until the next fiscal year for any further processing, significantly impacting their plans.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
