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Priority dates and the visa bulletin explained

On Behalf of | Sep 19, 2024 | Family Immigration |

The U.S. immigration system can be tricky, especially regarding priority dates. Knowing how these dates work can help you better track your family visa application.

What are priority dates?

A priority date is your place in line for an immigrant visa. It’s the day when the U.S. government gets your family visa petition. This date is important because it tells you when you can move forward with your visa.

How do priority dates work?

The U.S. Department of State uses priority dates to manage visa numbers. It publishes a Visa Bulletin each month, showing which priority dates are ready for action.

How to Check Your Priority Date

  1. Look at the receipt notice you got after filing your petition. You’ll see your priority date on this document.
  2. Look at the monthly Visa Bulletin on the Department of State website.
  3. Compare your date with the dates in the bulletin. If your date is earlier than the listed date for your visa type and country, you’re ready for the next step.

For example:

Your priority date is June 15, 2019, and you’re applying for a family-based visa (F2A category) from Mexico. You check the Visa Bulletin for May 2023, and it shows the F2A Category for Mexico: September 1, 2020.

Now, compare your date (June 15, 2019) with the date in the bulletin (September 1, 2020). Your date (June 15, 2019) is earlier than the listed date (September 1, 2020).

This means you’re ready for the next step in the visa process. Your priority date has become “current.” This status allows you to move forward with your application process. Remember, if your date were later than the one in the bulletin, you’d need to wait until the listed date is the same as yours.

Priority dates can move forward, backward or stay the same, depending on the number of visa applications. If many people apply from one country or for one type of visa, the dates might move slowly.

Need help?

If you have more questions about your situation, you might want to talk to an immigration lawyer. They can give you advice that fits your particular situation.

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