July 2019 Visa Bulletin Current for Family/Sponsored Immigrants (F2A) – Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

Each year, the USCIS sets a quota for family and employment-based visas. Once the quota is met, the USCIS stops issuing visas until the next fiscal year, thus creating a backlog of visa applicants. Section 203(a) of the INA prescribes preference categories of family-sponsored immigrant visas. Classified as F2A category visas are qualified immigrants who are spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years old) of permanent resident aliens.

In the past many years, F2A category persons who have had his/her US-citizen relative file a petition (I-130) on his/her behalf, the applicant had to wait 2 years before an immigrant visa or green card could be issued. However, according to the recent July 2019 Visa Bulletin, the priority date for F2A category persons has jumped ahead dramatically reaching current status. This means that there is no wait to be issued a visa. See chart below provided by USCIS.

If you have an I-130 filed and approved under this category, or filed before March 8, 2019, now is the time to file an Application to Adjust Status to that of a Permanent Resident, form I-485 (if other requirements are met). If your I-130 Petition is already approved, you may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions for immigrant visa processing, as immigrant visas are available for July. Click here to access the complete visa chart for filing. applications for adjustment of status.