What does current status mean on the Visa Bulletin?
Current: In the context of the visa bulletin, “current” means no backlog and no wait time for a green card. A particular priority date becomes “current” once it reaches the front of the line and a green card is available.
What do the FA chart dates on the Visa Bulletin mean?
The FA chart dates listed for both the EB and FB categories indicate which I-485 or immigrant visa cases may be approved in a given month. If the visa bulletin chart states “C” for a given category and country, that indicates that the numbers are current in the particular category for the country of chargeability.
What is the priority date on the Visa Bulletin?
Important terms in the Visa Bulletin Priority date: This is the date that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received your I-130 petition. Think of this date as your place in the green card line. You can find your priority date on the I-797 form mailed by USCIS approving your I-130 petition.
What do the cut off dates in the Visa Bulletin mean?
The visa bulletin now provides charts with separate sets of cutoff dates in both the EB and FB categories. One chart is designated as final action (FA). The dates in this chart indicate when a green card or immigrant visa actually may be approved for an applicant.
What is Chart B in Visa Bulletin?
B. This second chart indicates when the intending immigrant can apply for an immigrant visa. Specifically, the applicant may file an adjustment of status application provided that the applicant's priority date is before the date listed in the visa bulletin's filing dates chart.
How do you read a DV Visa Bulletin?
3:069:38How to read Visa Bulletin - DV Lottery - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it is the information that is in the second table that is going to be of concern to diversityMoreSo it is the information that is in the second table that is going to be of concern to diversity visa applicants who were recently selected that information concerns the month of october.
What happens if your priority date is current?
You can find your priority date on the I-797 form mailed by USCIS approving your I-130 petition. Current: In the context of the visa bulletin, “current” means no backlog and no wait time for a green card. A particular priority date becomes “current” once it reaches the front of the line and a green card is available.
How do I know if my visa is approved?
Check the Status of a Visa Application For nonimmigrant visas, call 1-603-334-0888. Or use the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
How DV lottery winners are selected?
The winners of the Diversity Visa lottery are chosen at random by a computer program, with a certain number of visas allocated to each region of the world and no one country receiving more than 7% of the Diversity Visas available in any given year.
What is DV lottery rank number?
Individuals who “won” the diversity immigrant visa lottery are assigned a DV Rank Number. The Visa Bulletin for the Diversity Immigrant Category is divided in “regions” (and occasionally individual countries).
How do I know if USCIS approved my case?
With your receipt number, you can check the status of your case on www. uscis.gov and also register on our Web site for automatic case status updates while we process your case.
What is the next step after receiving I 797C?
What Is the Next Step After Receiving I-797C? Carefully read your Form I-797C Notice of Action. Depending on which notice of action USCIS sends you, you must follow the instructions in your notice of action letter.
What does priority date mean on I 797C?
Your priority date is the date USCIS received your application. You'll use this priority date when you look at the visa bulletin to see where you are in the queue. When the final action date matches your priority date, that means you're current.
What are the types of visa status?
Nonimmigrant Visa CategoriesPurpose of TravelVisa CategoryTemporary worker performing other services or labor of a temporary or seasonal nature.H-2BTourism, vacation, pleasure visitorB-2Training in a program not primarily for employmentH-3Treaty trader/treaty investorE31 more rows
How do you know if U.S. visa is approved after interview?
At the end of your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, the consular officer will inform you whether your visa application is approved or denied. Visa approval - When approved, you will be informed how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you.
Does administrative processing mean 221g?
However, the Consular Officer can also issue a notice, sometimes referred to as a 221(g) notice, declining to issue the visa and sending the case for further review. That further review is sometimes referred to as “Administrative Processing.”
How does Visa Bulletin Work?
The visa bulletin shows you when you may proceed with your green card application based on when you originally filed your Form I-130 (the “Petition for Alien Relative”). Once you have submitted Form I-130, you'll be able to check the visa bulletin to figure out the wait time for continuing your green card application.
What does visa Class F11 mean?
Unmarried son or daughter of U.S.F11. Unmarried son or daughter of U.S. citizen.
What priority date means?
Priority date is the date on which an application was filed with the immigration authorities. It is used by the Department of State (DOS) to determine an individual's place in line in the visa queue where there are a limited number of immigrant visas available in a given year.
What does no wait in Visa Bulletin mean?
The Visa Bulletin uses “Current (C)” to indicate that there's no backlog/no wait time for a green card. A priority date becomes current when it reaches the front of the line which indicates a green card is available. An entire preference category can also be current – if that category has no backlog/wait time.
What is the DOS visa bulletin?
DOS, working with the Department of Homeland Security, revises the Visa Bulletin each month to estimate immigrant visa availability for prospective adjustment of status applicants. If DOS makes any changes to either chart in the Visa Bulletin after publishing it, we will review those changes and determine if any further action is necessary. Check the latest dates for filing adjustment of status applications .
What does U visa mean?
If the Visa Bulletin shows “U” in a category, this means that immigrant visas are temporarily unavailable to all applicants in that particular preference category and/or country of chargeability.
What is the form I-485?
We will accept Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, from family-sponsored and employment-based adjustment of status preference applicants according to the monthly Visa Bulletin that DOS publishes as a guide for issuing visas at U.S. Consulates and Embassies.
What is the Immigration and Nationality Act?
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets the number of immigrant visas the U.S. Department of State (DOS) can issue to aliens seeking to become lawful permanent residents (get a Green Card) each year. Immigrant visas for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are unlimited, so they are always available.
What is visa retrogression?
Sometimes, a priority date that is current one month will not be current the next month, or the cut-off date will move backward to an earlier date. This is called visa retrogression, which occurs when more people apply for a visa in a particular category than there are visas available for that month. Visa retrogression generally occurs when the annual limit for a category or country has been exhausted or is expected to run out soon. When the new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1, a new supply of visa numbers becomes available. Usually, but not always, the new supply returns the cut-off dates to where they were before retrogression.
When is a visa available?
A visa is available to you when your priority date is earlier than the cut-off date shown for your preference category and country of chargeability in the applicable chart in the Visa Bulletin, as described above in the Acceptance of Adjustment of Status Applications section.
What is priority date for I-130?
For family-sponsored immigrants, the priority date is the date that the Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, or in certain instances the Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow (er), or Special Immigrant, is properly filed with USCIS.
How often is the visa bulletin issued?
The visa bulletin is issued every month by the Department of State. It shows which green card applications can move forward, based on when the I-130 petition that starts the green card process was originally filed. It also lets you estimate how long it will take before you will be able to get your green card, based on how quickly the “line” is moving now. Once your I-130 petition has been filed, you’ll be able to check the visa bulletin and watch your place in line move forward.
What does "current" mean in visa?
Current: In the context of the visa bulletin, “current” means no backlog and no wait time for a green card. A particular priority date becomes “current” once it reaches the front of the line and a green card is available.
What Makes the F2A Category Special?
If you look at the visa bulletin, you’ll notice that the wait for a green card is much shorter for the F2A category than it is for any other family-based preference category. That is good news if you’re the spouse of a U.S. green card holder!
Why is there a backlog for green cards?
Green card backlogs and the Visa Bulletin. The visa bulletin exists because Congress caps the number of green cards that can be issued each year . The number of people who are seeking green cards has consistently exceeded this annual limit, creating a backlog—in fact, several backlogs.
What is the cap for F3?
F3 (third preference): Married children of U.S. citizens, regardless of age. The cap for this category is 23,400 green cards per year.
What is the F2A category?
F2A: Spouses and unmarried minor children (under age 21) of green card holders. If you are a green card holder who has applied for a green card for your spouse, this is the category you’ll need to watch when you check the visa bulletin. 77% of the second category quota goes towards this F2A sub-category (that’s 87,934 green cards per year).
What is the visa bulletin?
The U.S. Department of State publishes a monthly visa bulletin. The visa bulletin lets you know when it’s time to claim your green card.
What is the first chart for visa numbers?
The first chart is for “final action dates.” A visa number is actually available if a priority date comes before the date listed in this example chart.
How to know if your visa is current?
Once you know your priority date and your preference category, proceed to the U.S. State Department's monthly visa bulletin. Select the "Current Visa Bulletin." Forward to "Family-Sponsored Preferences" to see a table similar to the sample below. Find your family preference category and compare your priority date to the date listed. If your priority date comes before the date listed, your immigrant visa is current.
When do visas go backwards?
Generally, the cut-off dates on the visa bulletin move forward in time. But sometimes they go backwards. Visa retrogression occurs when more people apply for a visa in a particular category or country than there are visas available for that month. Retrogression typically occurs toward the end of the fiscal year as visa issuance approaches the annual category, or per-country limitations. Sometimes a priority date that meets the cut-off date one month will not meet the cut-off date the next month. When the new fiscal year begins on October 1, a new supply of visas is made available and usually, but not always, returns the dates to where they were before retrogression.
What is an I-130?
Use Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) to start the immigration process for a family member. Each year, USCIS rejects or denies thousands of I-130 petitions. Therefore, it's important to get it right.
What does an approved I-130 mean?
The approved I-130 petition means that you’ve established your place in line for a visa, but it is not yet available. In fact, it is the priority date that specifies your specific place in line. You have reached the front of the line when your priority date becomes "current.".
Where is the priority date on an I-130?
The priority date is in the top section of the document . In the example below, a red circle identifies the priority date.
What is the Visa Bulletin?
A priority date is a date an immigrant petition was filed and received by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The priority date is secured once your immigrant petition is approved, at which time the applicant is placed in the visa queue for further processing. In other words, the priority date represents your place in line and helps estimate how long it will take before arriving in the US and receiving your green card.
What is the chart for employment based visas?
There are two important charts to monitor for the employment-based category visas, which are Chart A: Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases, and Chart B: Dates for Filing of Employment-Based Visa Applications. Chart A is what we know as true as of the moment the Visa Bulletin is issued. Applications with the dates listed on Chart A: Final Action Dates on the monthly Visa Bulletin may be approved for their Green Card (Permanent Residency card) or Immigrant Visa appointment.
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Why is there a limit on the number of green cards that can be issued each year?
The reason for a date showing on this chart is due to an overuse of that category. The U.S. Congress puts a limit on the number of green cards that can be issued each year with a specific quota for each visa category. Thousands of people are seeking green cards every year which has created several backlogs because the annual limit has been reached. Unfortunately, the Immigration Service will continue to file petitions; however, your place in that queue gets longer and longer if you do not have a green card petition filed.
What is chart B?
Chart B, is less talked about, and it is almost like the immigration crystal ball. What this chart states, is that by the end of the government fiscal year, (end of September) this is where the Immigration Service EXPECTS priority dates to have moved to. Chart B is often forgotten about, but it’s crucial to see what the future might look like!
Is every country listed in the Visa Bulletin?
As you can see, not every country is listed in these charts. In that second column, you can see “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed,” which refers to every single country in the world, except those listed in the columns to the right of that. In this month’s Visa Bulletin, “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed,” have the letter C listed. The countries that are typically separated from the rest of the world will have a specific date listed if there is a backlog.
What is Visa bulletin movement?
Visa bulletin movement provides details for a given category and chargeability country which varies on a monthly basis. It is helpful to look at and understand the trends to get an idea of the movement over the time.
What is family based green card?
Employment based green cards and family based green cards are the two primary categories to obtain a U.S. green card. Within each category of green card (employment based, family based, etc.), there are various sub-categories. For Employment based sponsorship, the sub-categories depend on employer’s job requirements and your qualifications in case ...
How to stay informed about the March 2021 visa?
To stay in the know about things like the March 2021 visa bulletin, you can subscribe to the Department of State’s newsletter by emailing [email protected] with the message “Subscribe Visa Bulletin.”
How long does it take for USCIS to announce chart?
USCIS announces which chart applicants can use within a week of the visa bulletin’s release.
What are the chargeability areas for family based immigration?
There are five chargeability areas for this category: China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, and all other countries . Due to the global pandemic and limited appointments at overseas consular offices, family-based immigrant visas continue to see low usage numbers. Therefore, any family-based visas that are unused get added to the EB categories.
What is the final action date chart?
The Final Action Date chart indicates whether or not it is expected that an immigrant visa number will be available.
What does it mean when there is no bracket for a green card?
If there’s no bracket below certain dates, that means there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin. Remember, marriage-based green card applicants are known as immediate relatives and don’t have to wait to receive a green card.
What is priority date?
Each person who files a petition with the USCIS receives a priority date, which is the day that the government obtained your petition. A priority date establishes a person’s place in line to get an immigrant visa.
Is it necessary to retrogress China-Mainland born and India Employment Third preference final action dates?
Regarding the November Visa Bulletin, the State Department has said, “It has been necessary to retrogress both the China-mainland born and India Employment Third preference final action dates. This is a direct result of hefty applicant demand for numbers, primarily by Citizenship and Immigration Services offices for adjustment of status cases.”