Each Fiscal Year (period from Oct. 1st through September 30th of the following year) specific numbers of immigrant visas are set aside for allotting to the applicants.  This is normally referred to as the annual quota or numerical limitation for green card.

 Immigrant Visas are green cards issued to permanent resident applicants.

 Immigrant visas categories are many and each category of immigrant visa is subject to a different numerical limit.  Some visa categories are not subject to any numerical limitation.

 Immigrant visa numerical limitations are subject to countrywise limits.  These visas are issued based on employment as well as family sponsorship.  Business Investors could also qualify for Immigrant Visa. 

 In order to maintain diversity the United States issues greencard to nationals of named countries by conducting a diversity lottery. 

 Asylum and refugee protection are the humanitarian benefits offered to people who fear life threatening persecution and provides a path to permanent residence.

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Visa Bulletin

JANUARY 2022 

Visa Bulletin shows the total number of immigrant visas annually available for each immigrant visa category.  The charts shows the priority date of the permanent residence applications currently under process.  It is also called the cut-off date.

  There are two charts for wach class i.e. family based immigration, employment based immigration. 

  The date of filing chart indicates which applicants can file visa applications for further processing in a timely manner.

  The Final Action dates chart shows: "C" which means visa numbers are still available (or authorized) and all applicants will be accepted;

  "U" means the visa issuance is not authorized.  This is because the available quota for the year is exhausted.

  If a date is entered instead on the charts it means that there are too many applicants in that category and applications filed before the date shown are being processed for immigrant visa issuance.

  Visa Bulletin is published monthly by the Department of State.  It summarizes the availability of immigrant visa numbers remaining that could be allotted to immigrating foreign nationals and indicates when an application for immigrant visa can be filed.  Immigrant Visa allocations are made chronologically in the order in which applications are made i.e. the filing of the application is the priority date.

  When an immigrant category becomes oversubscribed, priority date of the first immigrant visa applicant who goes outside the numerical limit becomes the "cut off date."

  Reporting the cut off dates on Visa Bulletin has changed for ease of understanding.

Living abroad with permanent residence