The July Visa Bulletin, published on Monday, brought a wave of relief to spouses and children of green card holders who are waiting for their green cards while staying in the United States. The bulletin indicates a slight advancement in the green card filing dates for these family members of permanent residents.
The filing date for green card applications (Form I-485) for these spouses and children has been moved forward by two months to July. This update is particularly noteworthy because there had been no movement in priority dates for the past ten months, which typically slows down processing times.
Spouses and children of green card holders with a priority date on or before November 1, 2023, will be eligible to file for adjustment of status in July. Filing the I-485 application allows individuals to maintain their lawful presence in the United States without the usual difficulties associated with maintaining legal status. Applicants will also be eligible to receive work permits and travel documents while their green card applications are being processed.
Until August of last year, the green card filing date for spouses and children under 21 was current, allowing for concurrent filing of the I-130 petition and the I-485 application. However, since September, this has not been the case, creating a backlog and uncertainty for many families.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) generally relies on the Visa Bulletin’s filing dates for family-based green cards. With the publication of the Visa Bulletin, USCIS is expected to release the filing chart for upcoming green card applications soon, providing further clarity to applicants.
For more detailed information and guidance on the application process, affected individuals are encouraged to consult the official USCIS website or seek legal immigration advice.
The Visa Bulletin is published monthly by the U.S. Department of State and provides updated priority dates that dictate when applicants can file for various immigration benefits, including green cards.
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