As the year draws to a close, the eagerly anticipated 2024 Diversity Visa (DV-2024) Bulletin for January 2024 has been released by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), opening new doors for aspiring immigrants. That’s a big deal if you’re waiting for your priority date to be current so that your green card application can move forward.
The December Visa Bulletin, which is officially referred to as the Visa Bulletin for January 2024 has been released. In this guide, we will learn the cut-off numbers that will apply in the DV-2024 Program during the month of February 2024.
Also, this comprehensive guide, we will explore the insights provided by the January 2024 Diversity Immigrant Visa Bulletin, shedding light on the current state of visa availability and what it means for those seeking to embark on the journey to the United States.
For the previous cut-off numbers from the previous visa bulletin i.e the visa bulletin for the month of December 2023, check this post.
About Visa Bulletin
Department of State (DOS) publishes current immigrant visa availability information in a monthly Visa Bulletin. The Visa Bulletin indicates when statutorily limited visas are available for issuance to prospective immigrants based on their individual priority date.
On Nov. 20, 2014, the Secretary of Homeland Security directed USCIS to work with DOS to:
- Ensure that all immigrant visas authorized by Congress are issued to eligible individuals when there is sufficient demand for such visas, and
- Improve the Visa Bulletin system for determining when immigrant visas are available to applicants during the fiscal year.
Diversity Visa Program | Diversity Visa Bulletin for January 2024
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during January for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2024 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers BELOW the specified allocation cut-off number.
Looking at the Diversity Visa Advanced Notifications section of the Visa Bulletin and consider the February 2024 cut-off numbers. Below is the Diversity Visa Advanced Notification section of the Visa Bulletin for the month of January 2024, and here are the various cut-off numbers that will apply during the month of February 2024.
DV 2024: February Cut-Off Numbers Explained
- Africa Region
For Africa region, where the 22,000 cut-off number for the month of January has been increased to 26,500 for the month of February. Obviously, that does not apply to applicants chargeable to the three exception countries from the Africa region.
In the case of the first exception country, Algeria, the February 2024 cut-off number has been established at 26,000. It was 15,000 for the month of January 2024, and it has been increased to 26,000 for the month of February 2024.
In the case of Egypt, the cut-off number to apply during the month of February 2024 is 25,000. It is 15,000 for the month of January, and it has been increased to 25,000 for the month of February.
Finally to Morocco, where the cut-off number for the month of February has been established at 25,000. For January, it is 20,000 and it has been increased to 25,000 for the month of February 2024.
- Asia Region
For Asia region where the 5,500 cut-off number for the month of January 2024 has been maintained for the month of February 2024.
The 5,500 cutoff number applies to applicants that are not chargeable to the two exception countries from the Asia region.
In the case of the exception countries, the January 2024 cut-off number of 5,450 for Iran has also been maintained for the month of February 2024. For Nepal, the 3,000 cut-off number for the month of January has been increased to 4,500 for the month of February 2024.
- Europe Region
For Europe Region where the cut-off number to apply during the month of February 2024 as part of the DV-2024 Program has been established at 13,500. For the month of January 2024, it was established at 12,000, and now it has increased to 13,500 for the month of February, and that does not concern applicants chargeable to the two exception countries from the Europe region.
To the two exception countries, in the case of Russia, the cut-off number that has been established for the month of February 2024 is 13,250. For the month of January, it is 11,500 and it has been increased to 13,250 for the month of February.
In the case of Uzbekistan, the cut-off number that has been established for the month of February 2024 is 5,500. For January 2024, it was 4,750 and it has increased to 5,500 for the month of February 2024.
- North America (Bahamas)
For North America region, where the cut-off number for the months of December 2023 and January 2024 has been maintained for the month of February 2024, making the cut-off number to apply during that month in the North America Region to remain 5.
- Oceania Region
We have 875, that’s the cut-off number to apply in the Oceania region during the month of February 2024. The January 2024 cut-off number for Oceania was 650, and it has been increased to 875 for the month of February 2024.
- South America Region
For South America region, where the cut-off number that has been established for the month of February 2024 is 1,600. It is 1,000 for the month of January, and it has been increased to 1,600 for the month of February, and that concerns the South America region.
Those are the cut-off numbers to apply across all regions and exception countries during the month of February 2024 as part of the DV 2024 Program.
For those who would like to have more explanation concerning visa bulletin and possibly know what the visa bulletin is all about, click the article that is just below and you will be taken to the article.
READ: ALL VISA BULLETIN UPDATES
Determining Visa Availability
USCIS considers several factors to determine if there is a greater supply of visas than the demand for those visas. To determine visa availability, USCIS will compare the number of visas available for the remainder of the fiscal year with:
- Documentarily qualified visa applications reported by DOS;
- Pending adjustment of status applications reported by USCIS; and
- Historical drop off rate of applicants for adjustment of status (for example, denials, withdrawals and abandonments)
In Conclusion:
The Diversity Visa Bulletin for January 2024 serves as a roadmap for those embarking on the journey to secure a place in the United States through the DV Program.
By understanding the nuances outlined in the bulletin, applicants can make informed decisions, navigate the immigration process effectively, and increase their chances of success in the pursuit of diversity and opportunity in the U.S.
Thanks for reading this guide. See you very soon in the next guide.
DISCLAIMER: This post and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. This site is not offering any Diversity Visa and is not the official site for DV Lottery program. The information presented in this post should not be construed to be formal legal advice.