If you are planning to apply for a Green Card, you might have heard about the Visa Bulletin. This article will help you understand more about the Visa Bulletin and the meaning of the terms presented in it. Below is how to read the Visa Bulletin for tracking green card status.
What is Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication issued by the U.S. Department of State. It indicates which green card applications can be processed based on the initial filing date of the I-130 petition. Through this bulletin, you can estimate the time it might take to receive your Green Card. Once you've submitted your I-130 petition, you can refer to the Visa Bulletin to track your place in the waiting list. Below we break down everything you need to know about this crucial monthly update. Here are some key takeaways for family members seeking a green card:
- If you are the spouse, parent, or unmarried child (under 21 years old) of a U.S. citizen, the Visa Bulletin does not apply to you (you will not be included in it).
- If you are the spouse or unmarried child (under 21 years old) of a U.S. green card holder, you may have to wait an additional 12 to 18 months for your green card.
- For other categories, the waiting period for a green card can vary from several years to decades.
Backlog in Green Cards and the Visa Bulletin The Visa Bulletin is designed to inform immigrants about the number of green cards issued each year. The number of Green Card applicants consistently exceeds the annual limit, resulting in a significant backlog. By providing information about the availability of green cards, the Visa Bulletin helps immigrants track and plan their settlement accordingly. Currently, the U.S. issues 366,000 green cards annually, categorized under
a complex system. The two largest categories are family sponsored green cards (226,000), which include marriage green cards, and employment- based green cards (140,000). In addition to setting an annual cap on green cards, Congress also imposes a limit based on nationality. Under this rule, no nationality can receive more than 7% of the total green cards issued in any specific category each year. Green Card Allocations for Categories in the Visa Bulletin The green card limits under family-based preferences are divided into four
main categories:
- F1 (First Preference): For unmarried adult children (21 years and older) of U.S. citizens. This category has an annual limit of 23,400 green cards.
- F2 (Second Preference): For spouses and unmarried children of green card holders. This category has an overall limit of 114,200 green cards per year, divided into two subcategories:
- F-2A: For spouses and minor children (under 21 years) 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 to watch in the Visa Bulletin. 77% of the quota for the F2 is allocated to this subcategory, which amounts to 87,934 green cards annually.
F-2B: For unmarried adult children (21 years and older) of
green card holders. This subcategory is allotted 23% of the F2
limit ( 26,266 green cards annually).
- F-2A: For spouses and minor children (under 21 years) 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 to watch in the Visa Bulletin. 77% of the quota for the F2 is allocated to this subcategory, which amounts to 87,934 green cards annually.
- F3 (Third Preference): Married children of U.S. citizens, regardless of
their age, fall into this category, with 23,400 green cards available
each year. - F4 (Fourth Preference): Siblings of U.S. citizens are eligible under
this category, with an annual allocation of 65,000 green cards.
What Makes the F-2A Category Special? Key Update on F-2A (March 24, 2023): The Visa Bulletin for April 2023 highlighted a notable shift in the F-2A
category. If you look at the bulletin, you'll see that the wait times for green cards under F-2A are considerably shorter than those for any other family-
based preference category. This category stands out for two key reasons. First, it has the largest quota, with 87,934 green cards allocated. Additionally, 75% of the green cards in the F-2A category are exempt from the per-country limit. Therefore, the nationality of the spouse seeking the green card is less significant compared to other green card applicants in other categories.
What About Spouses of U.S. Citizens?
There are no limits on the number of green cards available to immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. Because there is no annual cap, there is no backlog of cases; you do not have to wait in line, and this category is not even listed in the Visa Bulletin. Spouses of U.S. citizens can apply for a green card as soon as their I-130 petition is approved.
Understanding Terms in the Visa Bulletin
Priority Date: This is the date the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services(USCIS) received your Form I-130. You can find your priority date on the I-797 form, which is the notice sent by USCIS to confirm approval of your I-130 form. Current: In the visa bulletin, 'current' means there are no backlogs and no waiting period for green card issuance. Your priority date is considered 'current' once it reaches the front of the line and a green card is available. Chargeability Area: This term refers to the country where the green card applicant was born. (Remember the nationality limits? Your green card will be 'charged' against the annual green card quota for citizens born in your country.) Immediate Relatives: This term refers to the spouses, parents, or unmarried children under the age of 21 of U.S. citizens. Cut-off Date: The dates you see in the visa bulletin are called “cut-off dates”. Green card applicants with priority dates before the cut-off date are eligible to apply for a green card. Those with priority dates after the cut-off date must continue to wait.
Section A: Final Action Dates
The 'Final Action Dates' chart indicates priority dates that have reached the front of the line. These green card applications are now ready for approval.
Section B: Dates For Filing
The “Dates For Filing” chart shows that green card applicants living outside the United States should proceed with submitting their applications to the
National Visa Center (NVC) – even though the green card is not yet available. The cut-off dates in the “Dates For Filing” chart are typically one to ten months later than those in the “Final Action Dates” chart, allowing green card applicants to submit their applications much earlier. This “Dates For Filing” chart is primarily intended for those applying for green cards from outside the U.S.
Why Different Dates Matter in the Green Card Application
Process For green card applicants living outside the U.S., the "Dates of Filing" chart allows you time to prepare the necessary documents for submission to the National Visa Center (NVC). For those residing within the U.S., the "Dates of Filing" opens up the opportunity to access additional benefits. When you file for a green card with USCIS, you can also apply for a work permit and a travel permit simultaneously.
Country-Specific Columns in the Visa Bulletin
You'll notice that the Visa Bulletin includes separate columns for China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines. The waiting times for a green card aretypically longer for citizens of these countries because their annual demand
for green cards exceeds the available limits.
Final Thoughts
The Visa Bulletin is a crucial resource for tracking your green card status. With the detailed information provided in the bulletin, you can better plan
for yourself and your family's future. If you find yourself needing guidance or have questions about your specific situation, don't hesitate to reach out for personalized and free advice.
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