Understanding How Long For Priority Date To Be Current
How Long Is the Wait for My Green Card?
When applying for a U.S. immigrant visa, one of the critical factors in determining when you can move forward with your application is your Priority Date. If you’re a prospective immigrant applying for a family- or employment-based green card (and you’re not considered an “immediate relative”), you may face a long wait. The length of this wait depends on various factors like the preference category you fall under, the number of available visas, and even country-specific limits. Here’s a detailed explanation of what priority dates are and how they affect your visa application.
What Are Priority Dates?
A Priority Date is the date that establishes your place in line for a U.S. immigrant visa. It reflects when the government first accepted your visa petition for processing. If you are applying for a family-based or employment-based green card, your priority date is crucial in determining when you’ll be eligible for a visa. Immigrant visa preference categories are used by the USCIS to allocate a limited number of visas annually, prioritizing applicants based on skills, education, and family ties.
How Priority Dates Are Set:
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Family-based Applicants: Your priority date is set when U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives your Form I-130 petition from your U.S. sponsor.
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Employment-based Applicants: Your priority date is the date USCIS receives your Form I-140 petition or when the Department of Labor accepts your labor certification request.
Why Do People Focus So Much on Their Priority Date?
The priority date is crucial because it directly impacts when you can move forward with your application. Here’s why it matters:
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Limited Availability: There are annual limits on the number of green cards available in each category (family-based and employment-based), and these numbers are also subject to per-country limits. When demand exceeds supply, a waiting list (or visa queue) forms, and applicants must wait until their priority date becomes current.
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Tracking Progress: Prospective immigrants closely monitor their priority date to estimate how long they will have to wait before they can submit their final application. The closer the current dates are to your priority date, the closer you are to becoming a permanent resident.
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Deadlines: Once your priority date becomes current, you have one year to apply for your green card. If you miss this window, your petition could be considered abandoned, and you might lose your place in line.
Visa Categories and Preferences
Immigrant visas are divided into two main groups: family-sponsored and employment-based categories. Each category has its own annual allotment of visas, and the wait times vary based on demand in each group. Employment visa preferences include five categories from EB-1 to EB-5, targeting priority workers, professionals with advanced degrees, and immigrant investors, while family visa preferences cover four categories, including unmarried adult children, spouses of permanent residents, and siblings of U.S. citizens.
Family-based Preference Categories
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F1 – Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years or older) of U.S. citizens.
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F2 – Spouses and children of green card holders.
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F2A: Spouses and unmarried children under 21.
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F2B: Unmarried children over 21.
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F3 – Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
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F4 – Siblings of U.S. citizens (petitioner must be over 21).
Employment-based Preference Categories
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EB1 – Priority workers, including individuals with extraordinary abilities, professors, researchers, and multinational executives.
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EB2 – Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities.
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EB3 – Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
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EB4 – Special immigrants (e.g., religious workers).
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EB5 – Investors in U.S. businesses that create jobs.
How Visa Numbers Are Allocated
The U.S. government allocates a limited number of visa numbers annually for each category. Here’s a breakdown of the visa limits for family and employment-based categories:
Lawful permanent residents play a crucial role in this process, as the U.S. Department of State allocates immigrant visas based on the requirements and procedures for becoming a lawful permanent resident, including priority dates and the Visa Bulletin.
The Demand and Supply of Visas
Each year, the U.S. allocates a set number of immigrant visas for both family-sponsored and employment-based categories. In total, 226,000 visas are available for family-based immigrants, and 140,000 are allotted for employment-based immigrants.
Visa numbers are also subject to per-country limits, typically restricting no more than 7% of the total number of available visas for each country. As a result, applicants from countries with high demand, like India, Mexico, China, and the Philippines, may experience longer waits.
Family Visa Allotments:
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F1: 23,400 visas
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F2: 114,200 visas
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F3: 23,400 visas
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F4: 65,000 visas
Employment Visa Allotments:
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EB1: 28.6% of worldwide employment-based visas
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EB2: 28.6% of worldwide employment-based visas
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EB3: 28.6% of worldwide employment-based visas
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EB4 & EB5: 7.1% of worldwide employment-based visas
However, the number of visas available is often insufficient to meet demand. This means applicants may face delays, particularly from countries with high demand, like India or China.
Tracking Your Priority Date
One of the best ways to monitor the status of your visa application is by following the Visa Bulletin chart, which is published monthly by the U.S. Department of State. The Visa Bulletin provides information on when applicants from various countries can apply for visas based on their priority date.
Visa Bulletin Components:
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Family-Sponsored Preferences: Lists visa availability for family-based petitions.
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Employment-Based Preferences: Lists visa availability for employment-based petitions.
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Dates for Filing: Indicates when applicants can submit their visa applications. The visa bulletin filing date is crucial because once a person’s priority date becomes current on the Visa Bulletin’s Dates for Filing chart, individuals in the U.S. can take proactive steps to file their application rather than waiting for government notifications.
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Application Final Action Dates: Shows when visas are actually issued.
You can access the latest Visa Bulletin here.
How to Read the Visa Bulletin
To understand the Visa Bulletin, follow these steps:
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Find your preference category (e.g., F1, EB2) on the left column.
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Find your country across the top (e.g., Mexico, India, or All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed).
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Find where the dates for filing or final action dates intersect for your country and category.
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Compare your Priority Date to the date listed in the chart.
If your Priority Date is earlier than the listed cutoff date, you are eligible to proceed with your visa application.
What Happens When Your Priority Date Becomes Current?
Once your Priority Date is current, you can take the next steps toward securing your visa. Here’s what to do:
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Contact the National Visa Center (NVC): If you are outside the U.S., reach out to the NVC for instructions on scheduling your visa interview.
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Adjust Status in the U.S.: If you’re already in the U.S., and you are eligible for status adjustment (Form I-485), you can apply directly through USCIS.
What If Your Priority Date Becomes Current, but You Missed It?
If you miss the notice or fail to act after your Priority Date becomes current, you risk losing your place in line. You have one year from the date your Priority Date becomes current to take action before it is considered abandoned. It’s critical to stay proactive and monitor the Visa Bulletin regularly.
Common Issues to Watch Out For
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Visa Backlogs and Waiting Periods: Due to high demand, visa applications can get backed up, leading to delays. The State Department’s Visa Bulletin provides vital information on visa waiting periods, including charts that detail ‘Family-Sponsored’ and ‘Employment-Based’ preferences. These charts outline priority dates and provide guidelines on how to interpret waiting times and the implications of cutoff dates. Sometimes, dates can even move backward if there are too many applicants.
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“C” (Current) or “U” (Unavailable): If your category shows “C,” it means that visas are available, and there’s no wait. If it shows “U,” all visas have been used for that year, and you’ll have to wait until the new fiscal year begins.
How to Track Your Priority Date
You can track the availability of your priority date through the Visa Bulletin, which is published monthly by the U.S. Department of State. The Visa Bulletin contains two main charts:
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Application Final Action Dates Chart: Shows the date when a visa can be issued.
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Dates for Filing Applications Chart: Indicates when an applicant can submit the required documentation to the National Visa Center (NVC).
You can access the latest Visa Bulletin here.
Key Terms to Know
“Current” (C)
If a category shows “C” (current), it means that all applicants in that category can proceed with their application immediately.
“Unavailable” (U)
If a category shows “U” (unavailable), it means that the visa numbers for that category have been exhausted for the fiscal year. Applicants must wait until the new fiscal year begins for visa numbers to become available again.
Visa Retrogression
Visa retrogression happens when the cut-off date moves backward instead of forward due to an overwhelming number of applicants. This can delay the process as the demand exceeds the supply.
Concurrent Filing: Can You Apply Early?
In certain situations, you can file your Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) concurrently with your underlying immigrant petition (Form I-130 or Form I-140). This is allowed if:
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Your priority date is earlier than the cut-off date in the Application Final Action Dates chart.
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The Visa Bulletin shows “C” (current) in the chart for your preference category.
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USCIS allows concurrent filing under the Dates for Filing Applications chart.
Immediate Relatives
For immediate relatives, concurrent filing is always allowed, regardless of priority date, as visas for immediate relatives are always available.
What to Do When Your Priority Date Becomes Current
Once your priority date becomes current, you can take the next steps:
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If You Are in the U.S.: You may apply for an adjustment of status (Form I-485).
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If You Are Outside the U.S.: You can apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy.
It’s important to regularly check the Visa Bulletin to ensure you’re on track.
USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Charts: A Detailed Guide
When applying for adjustment of status to become a U.S. lawful permanent resident, one of the most important tools you need to understand is the Visa Bulletin. This bulletin, published monthly by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), outlines the availability of immigrant visas based on your priority date, preference category, and country of chargeability. The Adjustment of Status Filing Charts provide specific guidelines for when you can file your adjustment application (Form I-485). Here’s an in-depth look at how these charts work and how to navigate them.
It is crucial to maintain lawful immigration status to be eligible for adjusting your status when your priority date becomes current.
Understanding the Adjustment of Status Filing Charts
The Adjustment of Status Filing Charts are provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to help you determine when you can file your application for adjustment of status. The availability of immigrant visas changes based on two key factors:
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Visa Numbers Available: Every year, a limited number of immigrant visas are available in each category and from each country.
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Demand for Visas: If more applicants are waiting for visas than there are available visas, a queue forms. Your place in this queue is determined by your Priority Date (the date USCIS receives your petition).
Based on these factors, USCIS provides two charts:
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Dates for Filing: This chart shows when you can begin submitting documentation for adjustment of status.
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Final Action Dates: This chart shows when your priority date becomes “current,” meaning you can move forward with your application and finalize your green card process.
Which Chart Should You Use?
Each month, USCIS determines whether applicants should use the Dates for Filing chart or the Final Action Dates chart to file their adjustment of status applications. Here’s how each chart works:
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Dates for Filing: If USCIS determines that more visas are available than there are applicants, you can use this chart to submit your adjustment of status application. This gives applicants a head start in submitting documentation, although the actual green card approval may take longer.
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Final Action Dates: If the Dates for Filing chart isn’t applicable (due to limited visas), you must use the Final Action Dates chart to determine when you can file. This chart is used to determine when your visa is available, and when you can finalize your status adjustment.
In certain cases, if a visa category is “current” (meaning there are visas available), or if the cutoff date in the Final Action Dates chart is later than the Dates for Filing chart, you may use the Final Action Dates chart during that month.
Current Adjustment of Status Filing Charts (March 2025)
For Family-Sponsored Preference Categories:
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You must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin for March 2025.
For Employment-Based Preference Categories:
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You must use the Final Action Dates chart in the DOS Visa Bulletin for March 2025.
These charts are updated regularly to reflect changes in visa availability. Keep an eye on the Visa Bulletin each month to understand whether your priority date is current and when you can file your adjustment of status application.
View the March 2025 Visa Bulletin
What Happens in the Next Month?
April 2025 Adjustment of Status Filing Charts:
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For Family-Sponsored Filings: You will use the Dates for Filing chart in the April 2025 Visa Bulletin.
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For Employment-Based Filings: You will use the Final Action Dates chart in the April 2025 Visa Bulletin.
Previous Adjustment of Status Filing Charts
If you missed a previous update or need to track how visa availability has changed over time, USCIS archives prior months’ Adjustment of Status Filing Charts. You can use this historical data to compare trends in visa availability and understand how the dates have shifted month-to-month.
Tips for Tracking Your Adjustment of Status Application
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Monitor the Visa Bulletin Regularly: The Visa Bulletin is updated monthly. Be sure to check it regularly to track the status of your category and priority date. This will help you stay on top of when you can file your adjustment of status application.
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Be Prepared to Act Quickly: If your priority date becomes current, don’t delay in filing your application. USCIS will accept applications based on the Dates for Filing or Final Action Dates chart, depending on visa availability, so it’s important to be ready when your date arrives.
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Consult an Immigration Attorney: The adjustment of status process can be complex. An experienced immigration lawyer can help ensure that you meet all deadlines and correctly file your documents to avoid delays.
FAQ on Visa and Green Card Priority Date Wait Times:
General Questions
1. What is a visa priority date?
The priority date is the date when your immigration petition (such as Form I-130 or I-140) was filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or when a labor certification was accepted by the Department of Labor.
2. Why is the priority date important?
Your priority date determines when you can apply for an immigrant visa or adjust status to obtain a green card. You must wait for your priority date to become “current” based on the Visa Bulletin published monthly by the U.S. Department of State.
3. How do I check my priority date?
You can check your priority date on your USCIS receipt notice (Form I-797). To determine if your priority date is current, compare it to the latest Visa Bulletin issued by the Department of State.
4. What is the Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State that shows which priority dates are eligible for further processing based on visa availability.
5. What does it mean for a priority date to be “current”?
A priority date is “current” when it is earlier than or matches the final action date listed in the Visa Bulletin for your visa category and country of chargeability.
6. How long do I have to wait for my priority date to become current?
Wait times vary based on your visa category, country of chargeability, and annual visa limits. Some applicants may wait a few months, while others (especially those from high-demand countries like India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines) may face delays of several years or even decades.
Processing and Visa Availability
7. What factors affect my priority date’s movement?
Priority date movement depends on:
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Annual visa caps for each category and country
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Visa demand from applicants worldwide
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Number of visas issued in prior months
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Government processing backlogs
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Spillover visas from other categories
8. Why is my priority date moving so slowly?
If the demand for visas in your category and country exceeds the supply, priority date movement slows down or even retrogresses (moves backward).
9. What is retrogression?
Retrogression occurs when visa demand exceeds supply, causing priority dates to move backward instead of forward. This happens frequently at the end of the fiscal year (September) when annual visa quotas are nearly exhausted.
10. Can my priority date move backward?
Yes, if demand for visas in your category increases significantly, the Visa Bulletin may retrogress, delaying your eligibility.
11. What happens if my priority date retrogresses after my I-485 application is filed?
If your priority date retrogresses after filing Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status), USCIS will pause your application until your date becomes current again. However, your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Advance Parole (AP) may still be processed.
12. What is a “current” category?
When a visa category is marked as “C” (current) in the Visa Bulletin, there are no backlogs, and all applicants with approved petitions can proceed immediately.
13. How does the visa bulletin affect family-based vs. employment-based green cards?
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Family-based (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4): Priority dates tend to move slowly due to high demand.
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Employment-based (EB1, EB2, EB3, EB4, EB5): Some categories move faster, but backlogs occur in high-demand countries (India, China).
Country-Specific and Special Situations
14. Why do people from certain countries (India, China, Mexico, Philippines) wait longer?
U.S. immigration law limits per-country visa allocations. Countries with high numbers of applicants experience severe backlogs, making their wait times significantly longer.
15. How does cross-chargeability help?
If you were born in a country with a shorter wait time than your spouse, you can use your spouse’s country of birth for processing.
16. What happens if my child turns 21 before my priority date becomes current?
Your child may lose their derivative visa eligibility under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) unless they qualify for age-out protections.
17. Can I change visa categories to reduce wait time?
In some cases, applicants can move from EB3 to EB2 (“EB3 to EB2 upgrade”) or vice versa, but this requires a new labor certification or a new I-140 petition.
18. What happens if I switch employers while waiting for my priority date?
If you’ve already filed Form I-485 and it’s pending for at least 180 days, you may change employers under AC21 Portability, provided the new job is in the same or similar field.
Visa Processing and Filing After Priority Date Becomes Current
19. What happens when my priority date is current?
You can file Form I-485 (if in the U.S.) or start consular processing (if abroad) to receive your green card.
20. How soon should I file my I-485 after my priority date becomes current?
It’s best to file as soon as possible to avoid any retrogression that may delay your case.
21. What happens if I don’t apply when my priority date becomes current?
If you delay filing, your priority date may retrogress, forcing you to wait again.
22. How long does it take to process a green card after the priority date is current?
Processing times vary but typically range from 6 to 24 months, depending on USCIS workload and interview requirements.
23. What happens if my priority date becomes current, but my I-140 or I-130 is still pending?
You must wait for approval of your I-140 or I-130 before proceeding with adjustment of status or consular processing.
24. Can USCIS reject my I-485 if my priority date retrogresses after filing?
No, but your case will be paused until your priority date becomes current again.
Miscellaneous
25. Can I expedite my priority date?
No, priority dates are based on visa availability and cannot be expedited. However, premium processing is available for I-140 petitions, which speeds up approval but not visa availability.
26. Can I work in the U.S. while waiting for my priority date?
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If you’re on H-1B, L-1, or another work visa, you can continue working.
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If you filed I-485, you can obtain an EAD (work permit).
27. Can I travel while waiting for my green card?
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If abroad, you need a valid visa.
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If in the U.S. with a pending I-485, you must apply for Advance Parole to travel.
28. Does marriage affect my priority date?
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If you’re marrying a U.S. citizen, you can file for an immediate relative green card.
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If you marry after your priority date becomes current, your spouse may need to wait for follow-to-join processing.
29. What happens if my employer withdraws my I-140 before my priority date is current?
If I-140 is withdrawn before 180 days of approval, you may lose your priority date. After 180 days, you may retain your priority date but need a new employer to file a new I-140.
30. How can I stay updated on priority date movement?
Monitor the Visa Bulletin monthly and check USCIS processing updates.
Why Consult with Herman Legal Group on Visa Bulletin and Priority Dates?
The Visa Bulletin plays a crucial role in determining when you can move forward with your immigration process, but understanding its complexities can be confusing. With visa backlogs, changing cut-off dates, and shifting policies, it’s essential to have an experienced legal team on your side.
At Herman Legal Group, our immigration attorneys have decades of experience helping individuals, families, and employers navigate priority date delays and find potential solutions to shorten wait times or avoid unnecessary delays. Here’s how we can help:
1. Clarity on Your Priority Date & Processing Timeline
We analyze the Visa Bulletin, explain what it means for your specific case, and provide insights into how long you may have to wait. Our attorneys will break down expected processing times, trends, and potential changes that could affect your application.
2. Exploring Expedited Options
In certain situations, you may qualify for an expedited process. We assess whether you meet criteria for options such as:
✅ Upgrading from Family-Based to Employment-Based Categories
✅ National Interest Waivers & Other Strategic Adjustments
3. Preventing Costly Delays & Mistakes
Errors in paperwork, missed deadlines, or misinterpretation of the Visa Bulletin can cause unnecessary delays. We ensure that your application is properly filed, follows the latest USCIS guidelines, and is positioned for approval without setbacks.
4. Alternative Paths to a Green Card
If your priority date is significantly delayed, we can explore whether you qualify for other visa categories that may provide a faster route to permanent residence. Options may include employment-based visas, investor visas, family-based petitions, or humanitarian programs.
5. Ongoing Legal Support & Updates
The Visa Bulletin is updated monthly, and changes in U.S. immigration policy can affect your case. Our legal team provides timely updates, proactive strategies, and personalized consultations to ensure you remain informed and prepared.
Schedule a Consultation with Herman Legal Group Today
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Additional Resources
For more detailed information and the latest updates, visit the following resources:
إن كنت أجنبيًّا و لك رعاية من أجل العائلة أو إن كنت حامل البطاقة الخضراء بناءًا على العمل ضمن فئة مقدمي الطلبات التي تواجه حدودًارقمية سنوية على عدد التأشيرات الممنوحة فقد تواجه فترة انتظار طويلة.
و تعتمد فترة الانتظار على نوع التأشيرات التي تقدمت بطلب للحصول عليها ضمن تلك الفئة. وبالإضافة إلى ذلك قد تتأثر فترة الانتظار بالحد الأقصى لعدد التأشيرات الممنوحة لكل بلد. و ذلك من شأنه إطالة فترة الانتظار بالنسبة للأشخاص من بعض البلدات مثل الصين والهند و المكسيك و الفلبين.
العثور على مكانك ضمن قائمة الانتظار
تنشر وزارة الخارجية بصفة شهرية منشور يتضمن تأشيرات الدخول. وهو مصدر موثوق للمعلومات ذات الصلة حول فترات انتظار التأشيرات.
و يمكنك عبر ذلك المنشور، العثور على الرسم البياني الذي يوضح “الأفضليات التي ترعاها الأسرة” بالإضافة إلى رسمين بيانيين آخران يتضمنان “الأفضليات القائمة على العمل”. و بناءًا على تلك الرسوم و المعلومات سوف تتمكن من معرفة متى يجوز لك تقديم طلب الحصول على تأشيرة. كما يمكن الاطلاع على بعض المؤشرات التي توضح متى سيتم منحك التأشيرة. إليك بعض النصائح حول كيفية قراءة و التعامل مع تلك الخرائط:
- أولاً قم بتحديد فئة أفضلياتك في العمود على اليسار.
- قم بتحديد بلدك في أعلى الصفحة، و عادةً ما يكون للبلدان المذكورة أعلاه (الهند و الصين و المكسيك و الفلبين) أعمدة مخصصة وذلك بسبب العدد الكبير من مقدمي الطلبات كما يعني ذلك أنه غالبًا ما تكون فترة انتظارها أطول.
- كما ستتمكن من رؤية تاريخ الانقطاع- وهو الوقت الرئيسي الذي تقارنه بموعد أولوياتك من أجل رسم خريطة التقدم.
و يكون لكل مهاجر محتمل موعد أولوية و يتمثل ذلك الموعد في تاريخ استلام دائرة خدمات الهجرة والمواطنة الأمريكية لالتماس I-130 لأول مرة أو عند تلقي وزارة العمل طلب شهادة العمل من صاحب العمل. و يكون تاريخ أولوياتك محدد على الوثائق الخاصة بك من إحدى تلك الوكالات.
كلما كان تاريخ أولويتك أبكر كلما كنت متقدم على الآخرين، و لكن تاريخ التوقف الحالي لن يحدد الفترة الزمنية التي عليك انتظارها قبل الحصول على تأشيرة الدخول أو البطاقة الخضراء المتاحة. ولكن الموقع الالكتروني لمنشور التأشيرات يوفر معلومات حول المدة التي ينتظرها مقدمو الطلبات السابقون قبل الحصول على تأشيراتهم. لذلك يمكنك التحقق من مدة الانتظار التقريبية.
و قد يتراكم أحيانًا عددًا كبيرًا من طلبات التأشيرات لدى الحكومة و لذلك يتم إطالة مواعيد التوقف لعدة أشهر.
ويجب أن لا تدع الصندوق الذي يحتوي على أحرف C و D يربكك عوضًا عن تاريخ محدد. حيث يرمز حرف “C” إلى “الوقت الحالي” ويعني ذلك أنه يوجد عددًا من التأشيرات المتاحة ضمن تلك الفئة و أنه ليس على أي شخص الإنتظار. و من جهة أخرى يرمز حرف “U” إلى عدم توفر تأشيرات متاحة ضمن تلك الفئة. و أنه تم بالفعل توزيع كل التأشيرات التي كانت متاحة. و بمعنى آخر، عليك الانتظار إلى أن يتم إعلان التواريخ المقبلة.
ماذا إن قمت بتغيير العنوان؟
إن قمت أو أحد أفراد عائلتك أو صاحب العمل بتغيير عنوانك عليك التواصل مع مركز التأشيرات الوطني (NVC). نظرًا لأن وسيلة التواصلتلك، تضمن إستمرار قضيتك إلى أن يتم يقترب موحد أولوية طلبك. و يمكنك إخبارهم بذلك بصفة إلكترونية عبر اعتماد استمارة التواصل العامة.
ماذا يحدث بعد أن يصبح تاريخ الأولوية الخاص بك متاحًا؟
و عندما ترى أخيرًا تاريخًا لاحقًا أو الحرف “C” على “تاريخ الإيداع” على موقع منشور التأشيرات فإن ذلك يعني أن تاريخ أولوياتك أصبح متاحًا.
و مباشرة بعد رؤية ذلك ليس عليك الانتظار إلى أن تتصل بك الحكومة بل يمكنك التواصل مع المركز الوطني للتأشيرات و طلب التعليمات المناسبة.
و مع ذلك، إن كنت داخل حدود الولايات المتحدة و مؤهل لتقديم طلب الحصول على البطاقة الخضراء التي تشترط إما أن تكون حاصل على حالة مقيم شرعي دائم في الولايات المتحدة أو بصفتك قريب مباشر لمواطن أمريكي، ليس عليك انتظار الحصول على دعوة. يمكنك بدلاً عن ذلك، تقديم طلب تعديل الحالة لدى دائرة خدمات الهجرة والمواطنة و لا يمكنك القيام بذلك إلاّ في حال أكدت دائرة خدمات الهجرة والمواطنة أنه بإمكانك إستخدام تاريخ الإيداع المذكور ضمن منشور التأشيرات. و تلك المعلومة يتم تزويدها من قبل صفحة منشور التأشيرات.
إن لم تقم أو الشخص الذي قدم الالتماس من أجلك بإعلام دائرة خدمات الهجرة والمواطنة ضمن طلب I-130 الخاص بك أنك ستقوم بتعديل حالتك إذًا يمكنك التواصل مع المركز الوطني للتأشيرات و إخبارهم أنك داخل حدود الولايات المتحدة الآن من أجل أن تتمكن من تحويل طلبك إلى دائرة خدمات الهجرة والمواطنة.
وعندما تقدم طلبك، لن تتمكن وزارة الخارجية من منحك تأشيرة مهاجرين حتى يحين تاريخ أولوياتك في مخطط “تواريخ الإجراءات النهائية”.
إن لم يلاحظ أحدًا أن تاريخ الأولوية الخاص بك أصبح متاحًا
في حال نسيت أن تتفقد منشور التأشيرات أو عند محاولة المركز الوطني للتأشيرات أن ينبهك و لكنك لم تنتبه إلى تزويدهم بعنوانك الجديد أو عند فشل المركز الوطني للتأشيرات في تتبع تطور حالتك قي ينتج عن ذلك مشاكل تتسبب في تأجيل أو حتى تعطيل خطط الهجرة الخاصة بك.
ومع ذلك ، بعد أن يصبح تاريخ أولوياتك متاحًا في مخطط “مواعيد الإجراءات النهائية” ، سيكون لديك سنة واحدة لمتابعة تأشيرتك أو بطاقتك الخضراء. إذا لم تنتبه إلى ذلك أيضًا، الحكومة ستفكر أنك لم تعد ترغب في تقديم الطلب، والشخص التالي في الخط سوف يحصل على رقم التأشيرة الخاص بك.
قم بمتابعة تاريخ أولوياتك، واتخذ خطوات لمتابعة طلبك بمجرد أن يصبح متاحًا.
Если вы иностранец, за которого поручился член семьи, или если вы – держатель рабочей грин-карты из категории заявителей, которые сталкиваются с количественными ограничениями на визы, то вам, возможно, придётся ждать долго.
То, насколько долго вам нужно будет ждать визу, зависит от того, на какой тип визы вы подавали, доступности виз и спроса на визы в этой категории. Более того, на период ожидания могут повлиять ограничения на визы для разных стран. Особенно это касается людей из таких стран, как Китай, Индия, Мексика и Филиппины.
Найдите своё место в списке ожидания
Государственный департамент ежемесячно публикует Визовый бюллетень. Это источник актуальной информации о периоде ожидания визы.
На этом сайте вы можете найти таблицу «семейных преференций» и две таблицы «рабочих преференций». В этих таблицах вы можете узнать, когда у вас появится возможность подавать документы на визу. Более того, вы можете узнать, когда виза будет выдана. Вот несколько советов по поводу того, как разобраться в этих таблицах:
- Сначала найдите свою категорию преференций в колонке слева.
- Найдите свою страну сверху. Для упомянутых выше стран (Индия, Китай, Мексика и Филиппины) часто предусмотрены отдельные колонки из-за огромного количества заявителей, и это означает, что они обычно ждут дольше.
- У вас также будет контрольная дата – ключевая дата, которую вы будете сравнивать со своей датой приоритета, чтобы отслеживать прогресс.
У каждого потенциального иммигранта есть дата приоритета. Дата приоритета – это дата, когда СГИ США впервые получила ходатайство I-130 или когда Министерство труда получило запрос на трудовую сертификацию от вашего работодателя-заявителя. Ваша дата приоритета будет указана в ваших документах в одной из этих организаций.
Чем более ранняя ваша дата приоритета, тем сильнее вы опережаете других в очереди, но по текущей контрольной дате вы не поймете, сколько придётся ожидать, пока ваша виза или грин-карта не станет доступной. Но на сайте Визового бюллетеня предоставлена информация о том, как долго ждали визу предыдущие заявители, так что вы можете узнать примерное время ожидания.
Иногда правительство бывает очень загружено огромным количеством заявлений на визу. По этой причине контрольные даты оттягиваются на месяцы.
Пусть вас не смущает ячейка с буквой «C» или «U» вместо даты. Буква «C» означает «текущая», и это значит, что визы в этой категории есть и никому не нужно ждать. С другой стороны, буква «U» означает «недоступная», что говорит об обратном, – визы уже распределены. Другими словами, вам придётся ждать следующего крайнего срока.
Что, если вы сменили адрес?
Если вы, член вашей семьи или работодатель-заявитель сменили адрес, вы должны связаться с Национальным Визовым Центром (НВЦ). В этом центре дело находится до того, как ваша дата приоритета не приблизится к статусу «текущей». Вы можете уведомить центр онлайн используя форму для запроса «Public Inquiry Form».
Ваша дата приоритета стала текущей, – что теперь?
Когда вы наконец увидели позднюю дату или букву «С» в «Датах для подачи» на сайте Визового бюллетеня, ваша дата приоритета стала текущей.
После того, как вы это заметили, вам не нужно ждать звонка правительства. Напротив, вы можете сами связаться с НВЦ и попросить соответствующие указания.
Тем не менее, если вы в этот момент находитесь в Соединённых Штатах и имеете право на подачу заявления на визу по грин-карте, согласно требованиям которой, вам нужен законный иммиграционный статус либо быть близким родственником гражданина США, вы не должны ждать приглашения. Как вариант, вы можете подать в СГИ США заявление на регулирование статуса. Вы можете это сделать, только если СГИ США подтвердит, что вы можете использовать дату подачи, которая указана в Визовом бюллетене. Эту информацию вы найдете на соответствующей странице Визового бюллетеня.
Если вы или человек, который был вашим заявителем, не указал в форме I-130 для СГИ США, что вы будете регулировать статус, тогда вы можете связаться с НВЦ и рассказать, что вы сейчас находитесь в США, чтобы он мог направить ваше дело в СГИ США.
Когда вы подадите заявление, Государственный департамент не сможет выдать вам иммиграционную визу, пока ваша дата приоритета в таблице «Даты принятия окончательного решения» не станет текущей.
Когда никто не заметил вашу текущую дату приоритета
Возможно, вы забыли проверить Визовый бюллетень или НВЦ пытался вас уведомить, но вы не предоставили ему свой новый адрес или НВЦ не уследил. Это может спровоцировать задержку или даже разрушить ваши иммиграционные планы.
После того, как ваша дата приоритета в таблице «Даты принятия окончательного решения» станет текущей, у вас будет один год, чтобы получить визу или грин-карту. Если вы и это пропустите, правительство воспримет это так, как будто вы перестали претендовать на визу, и ваш номер визы получит следующий человек в очереди.
Отслеживайте свою дату приоритета и совершайте шаги для получения визы, как только дата станет текущей.
