Understanding the US Visa Bulletin and Its Impact on Indian Applicants

This article was last updated and fact checked on October 11, 2024 by Mani Karthik.

So, you’re planning to apply for a US green card or maybe you’re already in the process, and someone mentioned the US Visa Bulletin. Sounds complicated, right? But here’s the deal—it’s not as bad as it sounds.

The Visa Bulletin is like a roadmap, showing you where you stand in line for your US green card, especially if you’re from India.

If you’re an Indian applicant for a family-based or employment-based visa, understanding the Visa Bulletin is crucial. Let’s break it down and see how it impacts you.

What is the US Visa Bulletin?

The US Visa Bulletin is a monthly report issued by the US Department of State. It shows which green card applications can move forward based on the applicant’s priority date and visa category.

Think of it as a queue system—the Bulletin lets you know how close you are to getting your green card.

It tracks two main types of visas:

• Family-Sponsored Visas
• Employment-Based Visas

For Indian nationals, the Visa Bulletin is particularly important because of the high demand and backlogs for certain categories—especially employment-based visas.

Pro Tip: The earlier your priority date, the faster you’ll move through the system.

What is a Priority Date?

Your priority date is like a time stamp. It’s the day USCIS receives your application. For family-based visas, it’s the day the petition was filed.

For employment-based visas, it’s usually the day your employer filed a labor certification on your behalf.

When your priority date becomes “current” (meaning it’s at or before the date listed in the Visa Bulletin), you can move forward with the next step of your green card process.

How Does the Visa Bulletin Impact Indian Applicants?

For Indian nationals, the Visa Bulletin can feel like a slow-moving clock, especially in certain categories. India has one of the longest backlogs for US visas, especially for employment-based green cards.

This is largely because of the country-specific quota—a cap on how many visas can be issued to applicants from each country every year.

So, if you’re from India, expect longer waiting times in these categories:

• EB-2 (Employment-Based Second Preference for professionals with advanced degrees)
• EB-3 (Employment-Based Third Preference for skilled workers)

Family-based visas also have long waiting periods, particularly for categories like F2A (spouses and children of permanent residents) and F3 (married children of US citizens).

Pro Tip: The employment-based backlog for Indian nationals can stretch out to decades. Yes, decades. So, buckle up for the wait.

Understanding the Visa Bulletin Chart

The Visa Bulletin has two key charts:

1. Final Action Dates: This is when your visa can be issued or your green card application approved.
2. Dates for Filing: This shows when you can submit your final documents to USCIS. It’s like getting a head start on the paperwork before your visa is fully ready.

Indian applicants should pay close attention to these charts each month to see how their priority date compares.

What Happens if Your Priority Date Isn’t Current?

If your priority date isn’t current, you’re stuck waiting in line. This means your case can’t move forward until the date on the bulletin moves up to your priority date. Unfortunately, this waiting period is the frustrating reality for many Indian applicants.

Pro Tip: Check the Visa Bulletin each month—it can change unpredictably. Sometimes dates jump forward, and sometimes they retrogress (move backward).

What Can You Do While You Wait?

The wait can be long, but there are a few things you can do to stay proactive:

1. Keep an eye on the Visa Bulletin: This way, you’ll know as soon as your priority date becomes current.
2. Update your documents: Keep all your paperwork (taxes, employment details, etc.) up to date in case you need to submit anything when your date becomes current.
3. Consider alternate options: Some applicants look for other visa categories, like the National Interest Waiver (NIW) or even EB-1 (for extraordinary abilities), to bypass the backlog.

Why Is There a Backlog for Indian Applicants?

You might be wondering, why the massive wait? Well, each year, only a certain number of green cards are available per country under each visa category.

India has a high demand for employment-based green cards, especially in the tech sector, where H-1B visas are common.

The backlog happens because more Indians are applying than there are green cards available under the quota system.

Final Thoughts

The US Visa Bulletin can be frustrating, especially if you’re from India and dealing with those long wait times. But understanding how it works helps you stay informed and know when to act.

If you’re applying for a family-based or employment-based green card, your priority date is your golden ticket. Keep it safe, check the Visa Bulletin regularly, and be prepared for the next step when your date finally becomes current.

Navigating the US immigration system is tough, but staying informed gives you a better shot at success.

Good luck, and hang in there!