What is the quota backlog?
By law, there is no limitation on how many green card visas may be issued each Fiscal Year (October 1 through September 30) in all visa categories. This quota is based on two things: the employment-based category (or the family-based immigration), and per country limits, meaning that every country, large or small, is given the same percentage of the total visa numbers available annually. If these limits are exceeded in a particular category, for a particular nationality, a waiting list is created and applicants are placed on the list according to the date of their case filing. If the Visa Bulletin chart states “C” for a given category and country, that indicates that the numbers are current in the specific employment-based category, whether EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3, and that there is no waiting period for filing the I-485 application. If the numbers are backlogged as indicated on the Visa Bulletin, there will be a date (sometimes called a “cut-off date”) listed. If the Priority Date is BEFO
Related Questions
- CAN I INQUIRE REGARDING THE STATUS OF AN I-485 CURRENTLY PENDING AT CIS IF I AM SUBJECT TO A QUOTA BACKLOG?
- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VISA CATEGORY BEING "U" (UNAVAILABLE) AND "MM/DD/YY" (QUOTA BACKLOG)?
- What is the difference between the visa category being "u" (unavailable) and " mm/dd/yy" (quota backlog)?
