Applications
Cut Off/Qualifying Dates
Appointments for most non-immediate relative immigrant visa categories are scheduled according to the priority date. In family immigration the priority date is the date when the petition was filed at a Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). In employment immigration the priority date may be the date the labor certification application was received by the Department of Labor (DOL). Applicants whose priority dates are prior to the cut-off dates listed on http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html, and who have notified us that they have prepared all necessary documents for their visa appointments, will be scheduled for interviews.
IV APPOINTMENT REQUEST ONLY BY INTERNET more
Qualifying Dates occur approximately one year before priority dates are expected to become current, and represent the dates that prospective applicants who have been waiting for their priority dates to become current can begin to prepare their visa application documents.
In family immigration cases, when an applicant's priority date is within the Qualifying Dates, the National Visa Center (NVC) will send an Affidavit of Support (I-864 form) processing fee bill to the petitioner and an Agent of Choice and Address (DS-3032) form to the applicant. Once the I-864 processing fee is paid, NVC will send the I-864 forms and instructions to the petitioner. Once NVC receives the Form DS-3032 from the applicant, NVC will mail the immigrant visa (IV) fee bill to the Agent of Choice. Once the IV fee bill is paid, NVC will send the instruction packet of forms and information to the agent. When NVC receives the completed I-864 and DS-230 Part I, NVC will forward the petition to the embassy for further processing. Petitions which have not reached their qualifying dates are held at NVC.
Inquiries regarding applicants who have not received Form DS-3032 should be directed to NVC at the following address:
U.S. State Department
National Visa Center
32 Rochester Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 03801-2909
U.S.A.
Telephone (603) 334-0700
or
FAX (603) 334-0791
We cannot predict when a case will become current. You should monitor the movement of the cutoff dates as announced by the Visa Office to learn when your Priority date is reached. Up-to-date information on priority dates and visa number availability may be obtained from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., by calling (202) 663-1541 or visting the website at:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html.
Updated: October 21, 2009