The English translation of “Boletin De Visas” is “Visa Bulletin”.
Are you considering relocating to the US? Understanding the Visa Bulletin, or “Boletin De Visas” in Spanish, is critical to successfully navigating the immigration process. It indicates which green card applications can proceed based on the date the I-130 petition that initiates the green card process was originally filed. It also allows you to estimate how long it will take to acquire your green card based on how swiftly the “line” is moving. Once your I-130 petition has been filed, you will be able to check the visa bulletin and see your position in line advance.
This blog post will provide a comprehensive guide to the Visa Bulletin, explaining its purpose, significance, and how it affects your immigration journey.
What Exactly is the Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin is a monthly United States Department of State publication. It’s a useful resource for anyone looking for immigrant visas under family-sponsored or employment-based preference categories. The Visa Bulletin offers critical information on the availability of visa numbers for various application groups.
Purpose and Significance
The Visa Bulletin’s major function is to identify the priority dates for visa applicants. Priority dates determine a person’s position in line for an immigrant visa based on their preference category and country of charge ability. This provides a fair and orderly allotment of visa numbers while taking into account the annual numerical restrictions imposed by the United States government.
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Understanding the Cutoff Dates
The Visa Bulletin lists the application deadlines for each preference category and nation. Depending on the availability of visa numbers and applicant demand, these cutoff dates may advance, remain the same, or retrogress (go backward).
Here’s a brief summary of the primary points to keep in mind:
- Preference Categories: The Visa Bulletin contains both family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories. Each category has a numerical limit.
- Country-Specific Categories: Cutoff dates may differ depending on the applicant’s nation of charge ability. The Visa Bulletin gives information for each nation or area separately.
- Advancement and retrogression: The cutoff dates may be moved forward, allowing candidates with earlier priority dates to submit visa applications. Conversely, retrogression can occur when demand exceeds available visa numbers, resulting in a backward shift of the cutoff dates.
Consider reading this: How to Check Visa Slot Availability
How to Use The Visa Bulletin
For applicants and their sponsors to be aware of the status of their visa applications, they m,,st follow the Visa Bulletin. Here are some crucial actions to take:
- Choose a preferred category: Determine if your desire is supported by your family or based on your work.
- Choose your nation of changeability. Recognize the nation for which you may submit a visa application.
- Locate the deadline: In the Visa Bulletin, locate the deadline for the country and preference category that applies to you.
- Compare your priority date to the cutoff date: The current cutoff date may be sooner than your priority date. If so, you can continue with the subsequent immigration stages.
- Keep informed: The Visa Bulletin is released regularly, so be sure to read the most recent copy to keep track of any adjustments to the deadlines.
Read about the Journey of VISA
Consulting Professionals
It is important to keep in mind that immigration laws and procedures might change. To ensure accurate and current information, think about interacting with immigration officers or lawyers who specialize in immigration law. They may help you through the complexities of the visa application process and provide guidance that is specifically customized to your situation.
Important Update
The bottom line for family members applying for green cards is as follows: Everything you need to know about this significant monthly update is detailed below.
You don’t even need to read the visa bulletin if you’re a U.S. citizen’s spouse, parent, or unmarried kid (under 21) because you won’t have to wait for a green card.
A further 12–18 months will pass before your green card becomes available if you’re the spouse or unmarried kid (under age 21) of a U.S. green card holder.
Your wait period for a green card might be years or even decades if you fall into a different group.
Green Card Backlogs and the Visa Bulletin
Congress set a limit on the number of green cards that may be awarded annually, which is why there is a visa bulletin. This annual cap has repeatedly been exceeded by the number of applicants for green cards, resulting in a backlog—actually, numerous backlogs.
Currently, there are 366,000 green cards offered each year, however, this number is divided into a complicated categorization system with a distinct limit for each category. The two most common forms are family-based green cards (226,000), which include marriage-based green cards, and employment-based green cards (140,000).
Congress limits the number of available green cards based on country of origin in addition to imposing an overall limit on the number of green cards that may be awarded every year. Under this yearly “country cap,” no one country of origin may account for more than 7% of all green cards issued in any given category.
That’s not a significant concern for a nation like Belgium (population 11 million); no European or African country generates enough green card demand to exceed the country threshold. However, there are significant backlogs for the numerous green card applicants from China (1.4 billion people), India (1.3 billion people), Mexico (129 million people), and the Philippines (105 million people).
How to Read the Visa Bulletin
There are four main “preference categories” that limitations on family-based green cards are divided into.
F1 (first preference): Adults who are not married and are U.S. citizen children and are at least 21 years old. There is a yearly maximum of 23,400 green cards for this category.
F2 (second preference): Green card holders’ spouses and unmarried children. This category has a 114,200 annual maximum overall, although it is divided into two subcategories:
F2A: Spouses and minor children (under 21) of green card holders who are not married. When you check the visa bulletin, keep an eye on this category if you are a green card holder who has filed for a green card for your spouse. This F2A subcategory receives 77% of the second category quota, or 87,934 green cards annually.
F2B: Adult offspring (over 21) of green card holders who are not married. This F2B subcategory receives 23% of the second category quota, or 26,266 green cards annually.
Married children of American citizens, regardless of age, have the third preference (F3). There is a yearly maximum of 23,400 green cards for this category.
F4 (fourth preference): American citizens’ brothers and sisters. The annual limit for this category is 65,000 green cards.
Finally, the Visa Bulletin, or “Boletin De Visas,” plays an essential role in the immigration process to the United States. Applicants may keep updated about the availability of visa numbers and follow the status of their applications provided they understand its purpose, relevance, and how to utilize it successfully. To verify the correctness of your immigration plans, review the most recent Visa Bulletin and seek expert guidance. Best wishes on your immigration path!