For family-based visas, the priority date is the date U. Purpose Priority dates are used to identify when an alien may apply for an adjustment of status using Form I , or for an immigrant visa through consular processing. Each month, the U. State Department DOS publishes a visa bulletin that includes cut-off dates. There's one more thing to know if you are in the U.
USCIS sometimes lets people submit their applications before their priority date is actually current. It might just show you the same dates as in the Visa Bulletin ; or it might show you a separate, "Dates for Filing" chart, in which case you can take advantage of the early-filing possibility. Consult with an experienced U.
The attorney can also help you with the application procedures for consular processing or adjustment of status and, if you're adjusting status, accompany you to your USCIS interview. Browse All Immigration Topics ». The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising.
In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Lawyer Directory. Call us at 1 Certain categories of green card applicants must, after their initial visa petition is approved, wait for their priority date to become current before continuing on with their application for a green card.
Timeframe to Get a Nonimmigrant U. The U. If they were still children, they could qualify as immediate relatives, who are immediately eligible for visas. Second Preference F2 : The second preference category is actually made up of two subcategories, each with different waiting periods.
In subcategory 2A are spouses or unmarried sons or daughters under age 21 of a permanent resident green card holder. In subcategory 2B are the unmarried sons and daughters over age 21 of a permanent resident they usually wait longer than 2As. Third Preference F3 : The married sons or daughters, any age, of a U.
Fourth Preference F4 : The brothers or sisters of a U. The citizen must be age 21 or older. Second Preference EB2 : Members of the professions who hold advanced degrees, or persons of exceptional ability. Third Preference EB3 : Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
Fourth Preference EB4 : Certain special immigrants. How U. Second Preference EB2 : Third Preference EB3 : Fifth Preference EB5 : 7. Finding Out Your Priority Date for an Immigrant Visa Every prospective immigrant has his or her own priority date, which establishes the person's place in line for a U. It comes from either: the date that USCIS first received and accepted for processing the Form I petition filed by your family petitioner the date the Department of Labor received and accepted for processing the labor certification request filed by your employer petitioner so long as this was followed by USCIS approving a Form I petition, also filed by the employer , or if you're applying in a preference category does not require a DOL labor certification, the date USCIS received and accepted your Form I petition for processing.
You will find your priority date on your paperwork from one of these agencies. Looking at the Latest Visa Bulletin Chart Although it's confusing at first look, you will be able to make your way through these charts. Here's how: Locate your preference category in the left column. Locate your country across the top. China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines often have their own columns because of the large number of applicants. As a result, people from these countries wait longer than others.
Draw a line across from your preference category and down from your country of origin. Where the two lines cross is what we call the cutoff date—the key date that you will compare with your own priority date, so as to chart your progress. Understanding When the Chart Says Your Priority Date Is Current Prospective immigrants whose priority dates are earlier than the cutoff date listed in that month's chart will become eligible to apply for a visa "Dates for Filing" chart or receive a visa or green card "Application Final Action Dates" chart.
Don't Be Surprised to See Priority Dates Get Stuck for Months If following the Visa Bulletin charts month by month, you might notice that sometimes the government gets backed up with visa applications and the cutoff dates get stuck for months at a time.
If You Change Addresses If either you or your petitioning family member or employer change addresses, the place to contact is the National Visa Center NVC , which keeps your case file until your priority date is close to being current. What If the U. These problems can delay or destroy a person's hopes of immigrating. Talk to a Lawyer Need a lawyer? Start here. Practice Area Please select Zip Code. How it Works Briefly tell us about your case Provide your contact information Choose attorneys to contact you.
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