Visa Bulletin and Priority

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to get their immigrant visas or green cards faster than others? The answer lies in the concept of priority dates and the Visa Bulletin, which determine an individual’s place in line for a visa.

Understanding Priority Dates

When you apply for an immigrant visa or green card in the United States, your application is assigned a priority date, which is the date on which the petition for your immigrant visa was filed with the USCIS. The priority date is an important factor in determining when you will be able to obtain a visa or adjust status to permanent residence in the United States.

The Role of the Visa Bulletin

The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State that provides information on the availability of immigrant visa numbers. The Bulletin is divided into categories based on family-sponsored and employment-based preferences, as well as country of origin. Each category has a certain number of visas available each fiscal year, which are allocated based on demand and availability.

How Visa Availability Is Calculated

The availability of visa numbers is determined by a complex system that takes into account the number of visas available each fiscal year, the number of visas allocated to each preference category and country of origin, and the number of applicants with a priority date earlier than the cutoff date listed in the Visa Bulletin.

Case Example: Navigating the Visa Bulletin

Here’s an example of how this system works. Let’s say you are from India and you are applying for an employment-based immigrant visa in the EB-2 category. The Visa Bulletin for May 2023 shows a cutoff date of July 15, 2012, which means that only applicants with a priority date earlier than July 15, 2012, are currently eligible to apply for a visa.

Waiting for Your Priority Date

If your priority date is earlier than July 15, 2012, you may be eligible to apply for a visa or to adjust status to permanent residence in the United States. However, if your priority date is later than July 15, 2012, you will need to wait until your priority date becomes current (i.e., earlier than or the same as the cutoff date listed in the Visa Bulletin) before you can apply for a visa or adjust status to permanent residence.

Staying Informed and Strategizing with an Immigration Attorney

It’s important to stay informed about the Visa Bulletin and to work with an experienced immigration attorney to understand how the priority date system affects your case and to develop a strategy for maximizing your chances of obtaining a visa or adjusting status to permanent residence.

Conclusion: Navigating the Visa Process with Professional Help

While the priority date system and Visa Bulletin can be complex and confusing, it’s important to remember that every case is unique, and there are many factors that can affect the processing time of your case. Working with a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney at Vinland Immigration can help ensure that your case is prepared and presented in the best possible light, and that you are fully informed throughout the process.