Each Fiscal Year (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 visas issued to permanent resident applicants also called applicants for green card.

 Immigrant visas categories include 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. 

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

 Visa Bulletin archive contains information on older visa bulletins.

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Visa Bulletin

December 2017

Visa Bulletins are published monthly by the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs.  It summarizes the availability of immigrant visa numbers during each month which indicates that 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 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 is being changed for ease of understanding.

EB1 category for India and China  will be backlogged.  Ths means the EB1 applicants will not be able to file adjustment of status application in August.

The 4th preference category special immigrants becomes backlogged for Honduras, Nicaragua and Elsalvador in August and this category is already backlogged for India and Philippines but remains current for China and other remaining countries.



Living abroad with permanent residence