The November visa bulletin, released on Thursday, brings positive news for green card holders whose spouses and children under 21 have been waiting for visas. After a five-month hiatus, the final action date for these applicants has been updated from November 15, 2021, to January 1, 2022. This means eligible spouses and children can now schedule embassy appointments for immigrant visas in November if their priority date is before January 1, 2022.
For those with approved applications by USCIS, the National Visa Center will process documentary qualifications for applications submitted before July 15, 2024. However, applicants must still wait for the final action date in the visa bulletin before securing a visa interview, as USCIS processing times for I-130 applications can be lengthy.
Unfortunately, the November visa bulletin shows no changes for most family-based categories, leaving many disappointed. The option for concurrent filing for spouses and children under 21 of green card holders who are already in the USA remains unavailable. This means they cannot submit the I-130 petition and the green card application (I-485) simultaneously.
The filing date for the green card application (I-485) for spouses and children of green card holders within the U.S. remains the same as in October, applicable to those whose priority date is before July 15, 2024. Therefore, individuals who filed their I-130 applications before this date can also file an I-485 green card application this November.
The waiting time for siblings of U.S. citizens to receive a green card has reached a staggering more than 17 years. Those who submitted their I-130 applications before August 1, 2007, and have an approved I-130 application can expect an interview date for their immigrant visa this November. The backlog for siblings continues to grow, leading to significant delays for those who applied after 2007.
For unmarried children of U.S. citizens over 21, the wait time is more than 9 years. Applicants who filed their I-130 before October 22, 2015, will be eligible for immigrant visas in November. Unmarried children of green card holders over 21 face a wait of 8 years and 6 months, with those who applied before May 1, 2016, being able to receive visas in November.
Married children of U.S. citizens are facing a 14-year and 6-month wait for green cards. Those who filed their I-130 applications before April 15, 2010, may be eligible for visa interviews in November.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
