What is the Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin is a crucial document for anyone going through the U.S. immigration process. Published monthly by the U.S. Department of State, it provides updated cut-off dates for immigrant visa applicants based on their priority date, visa category, and country of chargeability. The bulletin helps manage the flow of applications in line with the number of available visas, ensuring the caps set by U.S. immigration law are not exceeded.
August Visa Bulletin
Disclaimer: The visa bulletin tables above only shows the dates for the column “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed” in the bulletin. They do not include dates for people born in China-mainland, India, Mexico, and Philippines.
Making sense of the Visa Bulletin:
Family-based Categories
- F-1 is for: Unmarried Children (Age 21 and Older) of U.S. Citizens
- F-2A is for: Spouses and Unmarried Children (Under Age 21) of U.S. Green Card Holders
- F-2B is for: Unmarried Children (Age 21 or Older) of U.S. Green Card Holders
- F-3 is for: Married Children of U.S. Citizens
- F-4 is for: Siblings of U.S. Citizens
Employment-based categories
- EB-1 is for: Extraordinary Professionals, Outstanding Researchers and Professors, and Multinational Executives and Managers
- EB-2 is for: Professionals with Exceptional Knowledge & Abilities and Advanced Degree Holders
- EB-3 is for: Professionals, Skilled and Unskilled Workers
- EB-5 is for: Investors
Visa Bulletin in a Nutshell
Priority Date, Simplified:
Your journey through the immigration process starts with a priority date. This date is the actual day the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives your initial immigrant petition or Labor Certification. It acts as your placeholder in the visa queue and is critical in determining when you can apply for an immigrant visa or Green Card. Think of it as your ticket number at a deli counter—it tells you your turn in line.
Dates for Filing, Simplified:
The "Dates for Filing" chart lets you know when you can get your documents ready and submit your visa application or adjustment of status application. However, it doesn't necessarily mean a visa is immediately available. It's the government's way of saying, "Get ready, your turn is coming up. However, these dates can change every month and therefore you should follow the bulletin consistently.
Final Action Dates, Simplified:
When your priority date matches or is earlier than the "Final Action Dates" listed in the Visa Bulletin, it's time to celebrate. This means that a visa number is now available for your application, and the U.S. government can take final action on your case. Essentially, it's the green light signaling that your visa can now be issued. Applicants who are currently inside the U.S. can either use Dates for Filing or Final Action Dates chart to track when they can be issued an immigrant visa. However, applicants outside of the U.S. can only use Dates for Filing chart to track when they can be issued an immigrant visa.
What Does "Current" Mean?
In the Visa Bulletin, if your visa category is listed as "Current," that's great news. It indicates there is no backlog for your particular visa category, and the department can process applications regardless of the applicants' priority dates. Simply put, you can go ahead and submit your application without delay.
What Exactly Is the "Cut-off" Date?
The "cut-off" date draws the line between those who can proceed with their visa applications and those who need to wait. It's determined by the demand for visas in each category and the per-country limits. When the demand exceeds the available supply, the "cut-off" date is established to prevent exceeding the annual numerical limits set by U.S. immigration law.
What Does Backlog Mean?
A backlog occurs when the demand for visas outstrips the supply, leading to a waiting period. This can happen for various reasons, such as per-country visa caps, high demand for visas from certain countries, or simply a significant number of applicants. A backlog means longer waiting times before an applicant can apply for an immigrant visa or a Green Card.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I find my priority date?
Your priority date can be found on the I-797 form, the Notice of Action, issued by USCIS when you filed your immigrant visa petition or PERM labor certification.
- Can the Visa Bulletin dates move backward?
Yes, this is known as "retrogression," which can happen when more people apply for a visa in a category than there are visas available, or when the annual limit is reached.
- What should I do if my visa category is not "Current"?
If your category is not "Current," you should monitor the Visa Bulletin monthly to check for updates on the "Dates for Filing" and "Final Action Dates" for your category.
- How often does the Visa Bulletin get updated?
The Visa Bulletin is updated monthly. It's typically published around the middle of each month and provides information for the following month.
- If my priority date is current one month and then not current the next, what happens?
If your priority date is no longer current, you'll have to wait until it becomes current again before you can move forward with your immigrant visa or Green Card visa application. This fluctuation is due to the visa demand and allocation of visa numbers each month.
Navigating the Visa Bulletin can be complex, but it's a vital step in the U.S. immigration process. Understanding how the bulletin works and keeping up to date with its changes will help you manage your immigration journey more effectively. For personalized assistance and advice on your specific case, consider consulting with an experienced immigration attorney.
