February 2020 Visa Bulletin

D. RETROGRESSION OF THE “REST OF WORLD” FAMILY FOURTH PREFERENCE FINAL ACTION DATE

As reported in item E of the January Visa Bulletin (number 37), the final action date for the “Rest of World” Family Fourth preference (F4) had been advanced at a very rapid pace during the past two years to generate the required level of demand. The dramatic increase in the level of applicant demand currently being received has required the retrogression of that final action date for the month of February. This has been done in an effort to hold number use within the annual numerical limitation. It is likely that this date will remain in effect for at least the next several months.

E. EMPLOYMENT-BASED THIRD AND THIRD OTHER WORKER VISA AVAILABILTY FOR MARCH

Since October there has been a consistently high level of Employment-based demand, primarily for adjustment of status cases filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This trend is particularly apparent in the Employment Third and Third preference Other Worker categories. Unless there is a sudden and dramatic decrease in the level of such demand, it will be necessary to implement a “Rest of World” final action date for the month of March.