The Visa Bulletin for MARCH 2022 marks a shift in immigration policy, benefiting certain family members of U.S. citizens and green card holders. Now, there is a 2-chart system that benefits foreigners who are already in the U.S. and will be processing green cards stateside.
The chart system is a bit confusing, so let’s take a moment to better understand. In fact, the charts on the government website seem out of order, so I am reorganizing things here to try and help clarify.
The chart system targets foreign family members who are NOT immediate relatives of U.S. citizen. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens do not need to worry about the chart system. They can just process normally.
Immediate relative (of a U.S. Citizen) are
- spouse (or fiancee)
- parent
- minor child under 21 years of age or
- stepchild if the marriage of the parents occurred prior to the child turning 18
All others are not immediate relatives and so must follow the 2-chart system. The purpose of the chart system is to delay immigration processing for those who are not immediate family members. Those who are not immediate family members must wait longer to help limit chain migration.
The purpose of the dates on the charts below is to figure out how long each family member must wait. For example, spouses and minor children of green card holders normally will wait less time than brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. The symbols below – F1, F2A, F2B, F3, and F4 – denote types of family members.
Other relatives are
- First [F1] – unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference
- Second – spouses and children, and unmarried sons and daughters of Permanent Residents
- A [F2A] – spouses and children of Permanent Residents
- B [F2B] – unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- Third [F3] – married sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Fourth [F4] – brothers and sisters of adult U.S. Citizens
The dates in the charts below can be confusing. This is because family immigration is always a 2-step process.
- Step One: The U.S. citizen or green card holder must first file a petition for the relative and, when that petition is approved,
- Step Two: The foreigner then applies for the visa or green card.
Until now, there was only one chart. When the U.S. citizen’s (or green card holder’s) petition was filed before the date noted on the chart, then the foreigner could file the application for a visa or his or her own green card. The dates on the chart is called priority dates.
There Are Two Charts Now
Now, the system is more confusing because there are 2 charts rather than one.
- 1st Chart (Dates for Filing Applications): when a foreigner may apply for a visa or green card
- 2nd Chart (Application Final Action Dates): when the immigration agency can process the case
Advantage of the 2-Chart System
The advantage of Chart 1 (Dates for Filing Applications) is that the foreigner can file the application before the agency is ready to process the case according to the dates on Chart 2 (Application Final Action Dates, “Priority Dates”). This benefits foreigners who are in the U.S. because the act of filing the foreigner’s application can allow the foreigners to obtain work and international travel privileges more quickly. Having a Social Security number helps foreigners obtain things such as social security cards with work authorization, driver’s licenses in some cases, file tax returns, and so forth.
The 2-chart system does not really benefit foreigners who are outside the U.S. since the case will not proceed until the priority dates on Chart 2 are current for that foreign relative. Updated for MARCH 2022 Application Date.
Chart 1: Dates for Filing Applications (Benefiting Foreigners in the U.S.)
| Family-Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-Mainland Born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 15MAY16 | 15MAY16 | 15MAY16 | 01FEB01 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 01OCT21 | 01OCT21 | 01OCT21 | 01OCT21 | 01OCT21 |
| F2B | 22SEP16 | 22SEP16 | 22SEP16 | 01MAR01 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22AUG09 | 22AUG09 | 22AUG09 | 08OCT00 | 01OCT03 |
| F4 | 01OCT07 | 01OCT07 | 01JAN06 | 22AUG99 | 01FEB04 |
Chart 2: Application Final Action Dates (Priority Dates)
| Family-Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-Mainland Born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01DEC14 | 01DEC14 | 01DEC14 | 08SEP99 | 01MAR12 |
| F2A | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 22SEP15 | 22SEP15 | 22SEP15 | 01SEP00 | 22OCT11 |
| F3 | 22NOV08 | 22NOV08 | 22NOV08 | 15SEP97 | 08JUN02 |
| F4 | 22MAR07 | 22MAR07 | 15SEP05 | 22APR99 | 22AUG02 |
Keep in mind that the Family Sponsored Preference categories only apply to those who are not considered “immediate family members” of U.S. citizens. Immediate family members do not have a wait time, so there are no priority dates.
If you have an interest in filing a petition for an immediate or extended family member, please call us. Our legal fee to start a petition is not expensive, but depends on the case.
Call Us for a Free Immigration Consultation / Case Assessment
1-888-483-0311
U.S. TOLL FREE
+1 212-483-0311
OUTSIDE U.S.
If you have an interest in working with us on case processing, please complete our free consultation form, and we’ll give you personal attention.
hi atty. allan, i am roch a greencard holder based in US i have a 5yrs old greencard holder daughter in the philippines, i am planning to get married to my daughter’s father which is a visitor visa here in US, my problem is that my daughter’s last name uses my last name not her fathers lastname and after merriage want him to go back in the philippines and bring our daughter here in US,. is it legal atty. to get married here with that kind of status? what kind of legal ways should i do? ty
Roch, Thanks for asking. It’s fine to marry your fiance while he is in the U.S. visiting. Case processing will take a bit longer because you are not yet a U.S. citizen. However, the delay is reasonable right now. Timing changes, so it’s a good idea to move forward when conditions are favorable. You are welcome to call me to discuss. I will be glad to help if interested. Kindly, Allan
Hi, Ive been in the US for bout 22 yrs arrived when I was 8, now I’m married to a US citizen for about 1 year and have a 10 yr old daughter not of this marriage. I have a criminal record one that was dismissed and another that at the end will be a misdemeanor. What are my chances for obtaining my residency.? And do I have to pay my penalty out side of the USA or can I do it here???
Valentina, Thank you for your inquiry. What an be done for you depends on your criminal offenses. Sometimes, convictions are important and in other cases, criminal confessions can cause you to be barred even if you are not convicted. A phone call is definitely required to see what is possible. You are welcome to call me to discuss if you have an interest in possibly working with this office on your immigration process. I hope to hear from you. Kindly, Allan
Hi,
My Fiancee is a green card holder currently in the US while I currently study in Nigeria. We intend to get marry soon, where will you suggest we wed? I was thinking we can have our traditional wedding in Nigeria then I find my way to the US with a tourist visa if it will permit me to marry my fiancee over there in the US so after our wedding she file for me in order to get my green card too or what can you suggest we do? Thanks and kind regards.
Emmanuel Omotayo.
Emmanuel, That would be a fraud on the U.S. immigration consulate and also border patrol since your intent is not to visit. Your intent is to immigrate. Can you please have your fiancee call me to discuss? I would be glad to help sort out an immigration plan if interested in working together with me. I hope to hear from you. Kindly, Allan
Hi. I am in the US on f-1 visa. My brother in law is in US military personal and a citizen here. He is planning to apply green card for me and my wife. I wanted to know how long the process would take for us to get a green card. I even wanted to know if I can file concurrent filing to get work authorization.
Kunal, If your brother-in-law is applying for his sister and her family to immigrate to the U.S., case processing is taking about 10+ years, and depends on her nationality. During this waiting time, it is not possible to obtain work authorization based on her brother’s filings. You must find some other way to be in status in the U.S. Allan
Hello I lost my wife last year and I just had a traditional wedding and court wedding abroad and will like to bring my wife as soon as possible how long do you think it will take, US citizen. what will it take please.
Obi, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your first wife. Life goes on, so it is nice that you keep moving. The time it takes depends on your immigration status, where you reside, your wife’s nationality, and where she resides. If you have an interest in working with me on case processing, you are welcome to call to discuss. Kindly, Allan