Family-Based Visa Availability

The Department of State publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin that tells applicants when their Priority Date is current. Applicants must wait for their Priority Date to become current before they can apply for a Green Card.


Visa Cut-Off Dates for May 2013


Family-Sponsored All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed CHINA-mainland born INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES
F1 01APR06 01APR06 01APR06 08AUG93 01JUN99
F2A 01MAR11 01MAR11 01MAR11 01FEB11 01MAR11
F2B 15MAY05 15MAY05 15MAY05 01MAY93 08SEP02
F3 08AUG02 08AUG02 08AUG02 01APR93 22OCT92
F4 01MAY01 01MAY01 01MAY01 08SEP96 01OCT89

*NOTE: For May, F2A numbers EXEMPT from per-country limit are available to applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than 01FEB11. F2A numbers SUBJECT to per-country limit are available to applicants chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO with priority dates beginning 01FEB11 and earlier than 01MAR11. (All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit; there are no F2A numbers for MEXICO subject to per-country limit.)

How to Read the Visa Bulletin


First, identify your Preference Category from following list:


First: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (over 21) of U.S. Citizens


Second: Spouses and Children,and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents


   A. Spouses and Children

   B. Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older)

Third:  Married Sons and Daughters of Citizens


Fourth: Brothers and Sisters of Adult Citizens


Next, identify your country of nationality (If you are claiming chargeability from a country other than China, India, Mexico or Philippines, then you should refer to the first column, labeled "All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed.") The cell that represents your Preference Category and Country of Nationality will contain either a date or a letter.

If a cell is marked "C" that means that the Priority Date is current in that Category and visa numbers are available. If a cell is marked "U" it means that no visas are available for the rest of the fiscal year (which ends on September 30). If a date appears in the cell, then that date signifies the visa "cut-off" date. Applicants must have a Priority Date that falls before the date listed in the cell in order to qualify to apply for a Green Card.

Please note that if you are applying as the spouse or unmarried childof a U.S. citizen, or if you are applying as the parent of a U.S.citizen who is over the age of 18, then a visa number is immediately available to you and you are not required to wait for a Priority Date to become current.