Understanding the I-130 Priority Date: What You Need to Know
Learn about the I-130 priority date and its significance for immigrant visa processing.
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Priority date for an I-130 petition is the date the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives your application. It's crucial as it determines your place in line for an immigrant visa number. To confirm your priority date, refer to the receipt notice from USCIS. Track visa availability through the Visa Bulletin on the U.S. Department of State's website to gauge wait times, as they vary based on the visa category and the petitioner's citizenship. This helps you stay informed about your process.
FAQs & Answers
- What is a priority date? A priority date is the date when the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives your application for an immigrant petition, such as the I-130. It establishes your position in the queue for an immigrant visa number.
- How can I check my priority date for the I-130? You can check your priority date by referring to the receipt notice you receive from USCIS after submitting your I-130 petition. This notice will explicitly state your priority date.
- Why is the priority date important? The priority date is important because it determines when you can move forward in the immigration process and become eligible for a visa. Wait times can vary significantly based on visa category and petitioner's citizenship.
- Where can I find information about visa availability and wait times? You can find information about visa availability and wait times by checking the Visa Bulletin published by the U.S. Department of State. This bulletin provides updates on the current status of visa categories and priority dates.