The U.S. State Department, in coordination with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has announced that all legally available visas in the Employment-Based Third Preference (EB-3) and Other Workers (EW) categories have been issued for fiscal year (FY) 2024. This achievement plays a crucial role in supporting the U.S. economy by facilitating the entry of essential workers, particularly in vital sectors such as healthcare.
Visa Limits Under the Immigration and Nationality Act
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), a strict annual cap is placed on the number of employment-based immigrant visas issued each fiscal year. Specifically, INA Section 203(b)(3) allocates 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based visa limit to the EB-3 category, which covers skilled workers, professionals, and other workers. Out of this total, a maximum of 10,000 visas is reserved for the EW category, which primarily supports unskilled labor positions.
Visa Issuance Suspended Until FY 2025
As all available EB-3 and EW visas for FY 2024 have now been used, U.S. embassies and consulates around the world will no longer be issuing visas in these categories for the remainder of the fiscal year. However, visa issuance will resume with the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, 2024, when the annual limits reset. Qualified applicants seeking employment-based visas in the EB-3 and EW categories will once again be able to pursue their immigration processes at that time.
Supporting U.S. Industries and the Economy
The timely issuance of these visas is critical to various industries that rely on international talent, including healthcare, construction, and technology. By ensuring that qualified workers can legally enter the United States, the EB-3 and EW visa programs help to address labor shortages and support the overall growth and stability of the U.S. economy.