Visa Bulletin September 2023

The Visa Bulletin for September 2023 is now out. The updated charts include dates for submitting applications through consular processing and the final action of visa issuance by U.S. embassies or consulates.

What is the Visa Bulletin?

The Visa Bulletin is a monthly update from the U.S. Department of State that provides details about the availability of immigrant visas and interview schedulling. It sets the cut-off dates for each visa type, including those sponsored by family, employment, or the Diversity Visa Program. The bulletin also adjusts these dates based on various factors like the applicant's country of origin and the number of visas already issued.

This resource is invaluable for understanding how long you might have to wait for a visa. It guides the National Visa Center (NVC) in processing visas and helps U.S. consulates and embassies issue them. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also uses this information to process residency or adjustment of status applications. If you're waiting for a visa, the Visa Bulletin can help you keep track of any changes related to your application.

How to interpret the
tables and priority dates?

Understanding the Visa Bulletin charts from the U.S. State Department and USCIS is straightforward. Sections marked with a "C" mean the visa category is current, allowing applications regardless of your priority date. If you see a "U," that means the category is unavailable and you can't apply. Final Action Dates indicate when visas can actually be issued, while Dates for Filing show the earliest you can submit an application.

The National Visa Center (NVC) will notify you, either through email or regular mail, about how to proceed with consular processing for your visa. It's important to carefully review and follow the instructions they provide in this correspondence.

Final Action Dates

For Family-Sponsored Preference Cases

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FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES

• • First Preference (F1): Unmarried children over the age of 21 of U.S. citizens.
  • Second Preference A (F2A): Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents.
  • Second Preference B (F2B): Unmarried children over the age of 21 of permanent residents.
  • Third Preference (F3): Married children of U.S. citizens, along with their spouses and unmarried children under 21.
  • Fourth Preference (F4): Siblings of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and unmarried children under 21.

ALL COUNTRIES EXCEPT THOSE LISTED

MAINLAND CHINA, INDIA AND PHILIPPINES