The transcript version of our monthly Chatting with Charlie Visa Bulletin Reaction
Each month, Charles Oppenheim and I bring clarity to the complexities of the Visa Bulletin. Here’s a breakdown of the highlights, insights, and predictions shared from the January 2025 Visa Bulletin Reaction.
🚀 Employment-Based Visa Updates
No Changes to Dates for Filing
Charlie emphasized that there were no changes to the employment-based dates for filing in the January bulletin. As anticipated, significant movements are unlikely until summer 2025. The next major updates may coincide with the October bulletin to generate demand for FY 2026.
New Policy: Medical Documentation Requirements
USCIS has announced stricter enforcement of medical documentation requirements. Adjustment of status applications without a completed medical exam will now be rejected. I encourage applicants to:
- Complete their medicals early—they don’t expire.
- Submit all necessary documents to ensure their cases are adjudication-ready.
This policy shift is expected to streamline processing once final action dates move.
📊 Final Action Dates: Encouraging Movement
General Trends
For January 2025, the bulletin brought welcome news with several categories experiencing movement:
- EB-2 Rest of World: Finally moved after a seven-month hold.
- EB-3 Rest of World: Slight but consistent progress.
Country-Specific Movements
- China: EB-2 advanced by a month, while EB-3 saw a significant jump from April to June. This reflects reduced demand in earlier dates for China’s EB-3 category.
- India: EB-2 advanced from August to October, with EB-3 showing steady progress. However, EB-1 remains unchanged since July 2024.
Predictions for upcoming months suggest a holding pattern for February and March, with possible significant advancements by April.
👪 Family-Based Visa Categories
Mixed Updates
Movements were observed in family-based categories, except for the F4 category, which remains stagnant for the seventh consecutive month. On a positive note:
- F1 and F2B: Progressed after six months of no movement.
- F2A: Remains popular but has seen little movement recently, reflecting high demand.
Charlie and I encouraged applicants to act promptly on their cases to minimize delays.
🌟 Predictions and Looking Ahead
Employment-Based Movement
Charlie’s predictions for January through April 2025 anticipate gradual changes:
- EB-1 Rest of World: Expected to remain current.
- EB-2 and EB-3: Moderate advancements aligned with quarterly updates.
Applicants should manage expectations, planning for stable dates and being pleasantly surprised by unexpected advancements.
Family-Based Categories
We hope for steady forward movement in family dates starting February 2025, but persistent backlogs remain a concern.
Annual Visa Limits and Usage
Insights on visa usage:
- Employment-based limit for 2025 is projected around 150,000.
- Final numbers from 2024 are still pending but should be released by the Department of State in December.
📊 Impact of Administration Changes
With a new administration set to take office in 2025, Charlie and I reassured listeners that visa limits are established by law and unlikely to be affected. Historic patterns suggest no negative impacts on visa usage during past administrations.
💡 Final Thoughts
As we wrapped up our discussion, Charlie reflected on a year of providing these monthly updates. Our next podcast will coincide with the February 2025 bulletin, bringing fresh insights and analysis.
Takeaway Tips:
Keep hope alive: Progress, though gradual, continues to move in a positive direction.
Prepare early: Complete your medicals and gather all required documents.
Stay informed: Monitor updates to adjust your expectations accordingly.
