The State Department has released their Visa Bulletin for February, 2022. This month, due to the progression of vaccination worldwide and the rolling back of travel restrictions, immigrant visa processing is set to return to a semi-normal pace. In addition, consulates are beginning to pre-process applications for foreign nationals who have been waiting to file immigrant visa paperwork with a respective U.S. consulate.
In terms of family-based immigration, backlogs persist for Indian citizens, Mexican citizens, and Chinese citizens looking to file in any of the family-sponsored preference categories.
In terms of employment-based applications and wait times, there are several progressions to take note of.
Employment-Based Immigration
Looking at the final action date chart for February, 2022, we can see some progressions that should be noted, especially for Chinese applicants looking to secure an immigrant visa, as well as Indian citizens. First, we can see that in the EB2 category, the final action date for Chinese employment-based applicants has advanced by three months. In other words, under the January visa bulletin, the final action date for EB2 applicants was January, 2019. This date has now advanced to March 1st, 2019. If you have a priority date earlier than the date on the chart, an immigrant visa may be available to you.
In addition, Indian applicants who are filing in the EB2 category should take note of the February visa bulletin. For this month, the EB2 final action date has advanced by 5 months. The final action date listed in the February visa bulletin is now January 1st, 2013. If you have a priority date earlier than the date listed in this chart, an immigrant visa may be available for you.
Finally, as move to the Dates for Filing Chart, which is used for immigrant visa applicants who wish to submit their documentation, we can see that the biggest change is for EB2 applicants from India. In January, the Date for Filing was July 8th, 2013. This date has now advanced 2 months to September 1st, 2013.
Notice for EB4 Category
The State Department has also made a special note in this months Bulletin on behalf of EB4 visa applicants. The EB4 visa is reserved for “Certain Special Immigrants” which include religious workers, special immigrant juveniles, members of the U.S. armed forces, as well as Afghani or Iraqi translators. The notice states that the DOS may issue a global final action date in the coming months to hold number use within the maximum allowed under 2022 annual limit. Essentially, this means there will be a cutoff date for applicants in this visa category. As of right now, this cutoff date has not been established.[1]
