The “dates for filing application” or simply “dates for filing” in Visa bulletin are the earliest dates when Green Card Applicants may be able to apply for green card or immigrant visa. The dates for filing are typically used by National Visa Center (NVC) to notify immigrant visa applicants (green card applicants), who are outside of US to prepare themselves and submit all the relevant documents required for the Green Card Visa Interview at US Consulates.
What is the US Department of State Visa Bulletin?
US Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin every month that summarizes the green card numbers availability by category and movement of priority dates. It has “Dates for Filing” charts and “Final Action Dates” charts.
When does USCIS use the dates for Filing Visa applications?
When USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for the fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, USCIS will state on its website that applicants may instead use the “Dates for Filing Visa Applications” charts in this Bulletin. 1. Procedures for determining dates.
When is a 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. For example, if the Visa Bulletin shows a date ...
What is final action date in visa application?
Final Action date : This is the column or chart for what had been the actual priority dates, when a visa could be issued or adjustment of status approved and to calculate a child’s age under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). Dates for Filing date: After the State Department publishes the monthly Visa Bulletin, ...
What does date of filing mean in Visa Bulletin?
A: The Date for Filing on the Visa Bulletin represents the earliest date when an applicant may be able to submit documents for the last stage of the green card process through Adjustment of Status.
Is priority date same as filing date?
These two terms are often used interchangeably. This can be misleading because they do not always refer to the same date. A filing date is the date you file your application (for trade marks, patents or designs). The priority date is the date your legal right over such trade mark, patent or design commences.
What is the difference between date of filing or final action?
Now, the “Date for Filing” determines whether or not you can submit the final immigrant visa application, and the “Final Action Date” indicates whether or not it is expected that an immigrant visa number will be available.
What is the priority date in 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 is effective filing date?
In general, this means a claim is entitled to the filing date of the earliest filed application supporting that claim.
Will USCIS speed up 2022?
USCIS Extends Premium-Processing to Certain Pending Immigrant Petitions. On May 24, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an expansion of premium processing service to two additional categories of Form I-140 immigrant petitions.
What happens when date of filing becomes current?
Date for Filing If the dates for filing shows as 'Current' or 'C', then it also means that there is no wait time to apply for visa interview at the US consulate abroad to get immigrant visa. Also, similarly one can file green card applications with USCIS without waiting.
What is the difference between filing date and priority date for green card?
Because the number of green card applicants generally exceeds the available immigrant visas, foreign nationals are given “priority dates” when an initial immigrant petition or labor certification is filed. The priority date represents the foreign national's place in line for a green card.
How long does it take USCIS to update case status?
Usually, USCIS receipt notice can take anywhere from 15 to 30 days. Sometimes, if there are delays at the Service center, there are cases, where it can take few months. In such cases, you should reach out to USCIS to get to know more.
How long does it take for NVC to schedule interview 2022?
How long does it take to get an appointment? Although NVC strives to schedule appointments within three months of NVC's acceptance of all requested documentation, this timeframe is subject to the operating status and capacity of the consular section.
Is NVC scheduling interviews 2022?
After reviewing your application, the NVC will schedule your immigrant visa interview. As of April 25, 2022, the NVC is reviewing documents submitted on or before February 4, 2022. Applicants must still complete all necessary formalities for their applications before the NVC reviews their case.
How long does it take for NVC to send case to Embassy 2022?
Your petition is awaiting an interview appointment. At this time, no further action is required. We appreciate your patience. After the NVC sends you this confirmation, then you can expect to wait between 2-6 months for the NVC to schedule you an interview at the U.S. consulate in your home country.
What is the difference between filing date and priority date for green card?
You can think these dates as if your position in queue has reached the end and you are ready to get the green card. The priority dates that were used before introduction of two separate dates are nothing but the “final action dates”.
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 is filing date for I-140?
Once a PERM application is certified (approved) by DOL the employer must file an I-140 Immigrant Worker Petition with the USCIS within six months of the approval date of the PERM application.
How do I find out my priority date?
Finding Your Priority Date If you are a prospective immigrant, you can find your priority date on Form I-797, Notice of Action, for the petition filed on your behalf. The waiting time before receiving an immigrant visa or adjusting status depends on the : Demand for and supply of immigrant visas.
What is “Dates for Filing” in Visa Bulletin ?
The “dates for filing application” or simply “dates for filing” in Visa bulletin are the earliest dates when Green Card Applicants may be able to apply for green card or immigrant visa. The dates for filing are typically used by National Visa Center (NVC) to notify immigrant visa applicants (green card applicants), who are outside of US to prepare themselves and submit all the relevant documents required for the Green Card Visa Interview at US Consulates. The dates of filing may also be used by USCIS asking Green Card applicants in US to submit applications for Adjustment of Status.
When does the Visa office start predicting the number of green cards available?
First, when a fiscal year starts in October, Visa Office divides the total annual available Green Card numbers into monthly allotments. They will predict the number of Green Cards available for the upcoming months, until the end of fiscal year, based on below three data points.
What happens when Final Action Date is current ?
When your final action date becomes current, you would see “Current” or “C” in the Visa Bulletin. What it means is that you can go ahead and apply for the next steps to get your green card and there is no wait time. Below are the things that you can do depending on your situation.
Why do “Dates for Filing” and “Final Action Dates” fluctuate? Retrogress?
As you read from above, there are many factors considered for prediction of the green card applications required to meet the numerical limit. There are few scenarios on why ‘dates for filing & final action dates’ move forward or backward. Let’s look at them.
How are Green Card or Immigrant Visas count Reported, Predicted?
The Visa Office (VO) that is part of US Department of State (DOS) handles the green card numbers reporting and prediction. Every month the Visa Office gets a report of total number of immigrant visa (Green Card) applicants from all US consulates & Embassies across the globe. Also, they get the number of pending applications of adjustment of status from USCIS. The process of prediction is pretty complicated. But for your easy understanding, we have tried to simplify it as below.
How does USCIS forecast green card numbers?
USCIS in preparation for next fiscal year (starts from October 1 st) will forecast how many applications they would need to meet the Green Card numerical limits by end of the fiscal year (September of next year). They usually look at their pending applicants count with them and forecast, if they have any shortage of applications. In cases, where they believe they do not have enough applications to fill the total numerical limit by end of fiscal year ( next year September), they will ask green card applicants to use “Dates for Filing” to submit the adjustment of status applications. See below how it looks in a diagram
What is the US Department of State's green card bulletin?
US Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin every month that summarizes the green card numbers availability by category and movement of priority dates. It has “Dates for Filing” charts and “Final Action Dates” charts. Depending on the month of the year and movement of priority dates, USCIS suggests which charts to use for filing adjustment of status. In this article, we will look at the differences and how the different dates thing works. Why they move back and forth and how it impacts the priority dates.
What is the visa bulletin?
The visa bulletin is published by the U.S. Department of State each month and serves as a waiting list for foreign nationals whose immigrant visas are subject to a yearly quota. Because the number of green card applicants generally exceeds the available immigrant visas, foreign nationals are given “priority dates” when an initial immigrant petition ...
When do you file for a green card?
The Dates for Filing are the earliest dates green card applicants may apply for a green card. These are the dates the National Visa Center (NVC) uses to notify green card applicants that they can start getting documentarily qualified. These dates are typically eight to 12 months prior to the expected Final Action Dates and allow applicants ...
What Is the Difference Between “Final Action Dates” & “Dates for Filing”?
The “Final Action Dates” indicate the dates an immigrant visa number will be available for a foreign national with a current priority date that month. This is an important date because once the immigrant visa number is available, the foreign national’s physical green card can be issued. A green card cannot be issued unless the applicant’s priority date is earlier that the Final Action Date listed on the visa bulletin.
When can a green card be issued?
A green card cannot be issued unless the applicant’s priority date is earlier that the Final Action Date listed on the visa bulletin.
What is the priority date for green card?
The priority date represents the foreign national’s place in line for a green card. Once the priority date becomes “current” the foreign national may apply for their physical green card.
Why is the backlog of work authorization important?
This is beneficial because it can allow foreign nationals who are stuck in the backlog to apply for and obtain work authorization much sooner than if they had to wait for the priority date to be current under the relevant Final Action Date.
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.
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.
Can I apply for a green card if I have an I-130?
If your I-130 petition is now current, you may apply for permanent residence (green card) in the United States. There are two basic ways to apply for your green card: consular processing or adjustment of status.
Can I get an I-130 visa for my family?
If you have a family member that has filed an I-130 immigrant petition on your behalf, you may need to learn how to read the visa bulletin. Immediate relatives (spouses, parents and unmarried children under age 21 of U.S. citizens) have an unlimited number of visas available. But just about everybody else has to wait.
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.”
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.
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.
How long did the Philippines advance in F-4?
Philippines advanced just over 5 months in the F-4 category. For the purposes of the July 2021 bulletin, USCIS has indicated to use the Dates for Filing chart for all Family-Sponsored preference categories, except the F2A category which should use the Final Action Dates Chart. Category. Rest of the. World.
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.
How long will the EB-5 advance?
The same goes for EB-3 (other) for India with advancement by over a year. EB-5 Vietnam also sees considerable advancement by one year and 11 months to April 1, 2020 and EB-5 China advances one month and 24 days to November 8, 2015. We will continue to monitor these movements and keep you informed whether USICS indicates applicants to use ...
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.”
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 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.
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.
