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 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 are humanitarian basis to obtain permanent residence for people who fear life threatening persecution.

 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. 

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Visa Bulletin

November 2019

Visa Bulletins are published monthly by the Department of State.  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.

F2A category for spouses and children of lawful permanent residents shows final action dates as current for all countries.  DHS is however accepting adjustment of status application only based on application filing date which is June 2019.  Still, it is just two months and great.  USCIS processing times for immigrant visa petition for spouses and minor children of lawful permanent resident is about two years and so, this visa bulletin is not practically useful until the I-130 is approved in consular processing cases. 

Living abroad with permanent residence