Introduction
The monthly Visa Bulletin issued by the US Department of State outlines the dates when there are numbers available to process visa applications for both family- and employment-based green cards. This article outlines the information from the February 2022 Visa Bulletin, provides key insights and helps to avoid pitfalls so that individuals can monitor the status of their green card applications and keep them “on track”.
Explain the Purpose of the Visa Bulletin
This information will help you to better manage your pending cases and plan ahead for future applications. The monthly Visa Bulletin issued by the U.S. Department of State for immigration purposes contains two types of relevant dates: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications.
- Final Action Dates: These are the dates when final action can be taken on the immigrant petition (I-130) for a family member’s immigrant visa. If the immigrant’s priority date is earlier than the corresponding date for the applicable category in the Bulletin, then the immigrant’s application can be processed for completion of the various steps required for issuance of an immigrant visa.
- Filing Dates: Using these dates, individuals can file their applications even when their priority date is not yet current. In doing so, they take precedence over individuals with earlier priority dates and then the applications can be processed as soon as the respective date becomes current and the appropriate documents issued.
This information will help you know what to expect with your case and help organize necessary documents. You can follow Chart A to know when your case will be ready for the interview. Also, make sure your case is up to date at the National Visa Center to avoid any possible retrogression for the rest of the fiscal year 2026 that may prevent us from filing your application.
At Vasquez Law Firm, we understand the difficulties of trying to reunite with family members or assisting an immigrant with their applications. Our team of highly experienced immigration lawyers are here to help with all of your family immigration and application needs. We offer free consultations to discuss your case and the costs of our services. We can work with you to establish a payment plan that best fits your budget. We can even meet with you virtually for a Zoom or phone consultation. We are a bilingual law firm and would be happy to assist you with your immigration case in English or Spanish. Let us help you take control of your case and help you achieve your goal of becoming a legal permanent resident of the United States.
Detail February 2022 Visa Bulletin Updates
Trying to plan the future of your family while constantly updated information on available visas in immigration law is often challenging. In an effort to help keep our readers up-to-date, we have updated the information in the Visa Bulletin for February 2022.
- EB-1 Category: EB-1 Category is current for all countries. All applicants in this category, regardless of country of origin, can start processing their I-485 application with any priority date.
- EB-2 Category: India is now approximately 6 months ahead and is current as of January 1, 2013. China is now approximately 5 weeks ahead and is current as of December 8, 2012. There is no I-485 filing allowed for persons of these countries with these dates until further notice, but such dates are current for I-485 filing purposes.
- Family-Sponsored Categories: The F2A category is up-to-date. Very slight movement in other family categories, see the February 2022 Visa Bulletin for family-sponsored categories for specific information.
- Diversity Program (DV) Category: Remain up-to-date regarding your status in the DV lottery for example by reviewing the February 2022 visa bulletin for this category.
There is additional news relating to the $100,000 H-1B visa fee vacatur and we have added a link to an article reporting on an order of a federal appeals court that denies a stay of the district court’s order. Readers are encouraged to read this to be up-to-date with the relevant news.
Guide on Interpreting Visa Bulletin Information
This will be the second post this week about the visa bulletin for February 2022. The other post was about how to use the bulletin to determine when you can move forward with your application for green card status for yourself and your family members living abroad as temporary visitors. This post will outline three simple steps that will give you a good understanding of the visa bulletin for February 2022.
- Determine your Priority Date: Your Priority Date is the date and time that your relative’s or your employer’s petition for your immigrant status was filed.
- Know your Category: The various categories of immigrants are listed in the charts - e.g. family-sponsored immigrants, employment-based immigrants, etc.
- Check the Charts: The bulletin contains two charts:
- Final Action Dates Chart: The dates shown in this chart represent the dates when the government can take final action on a visa application. If an applicant has a priority date shown earlier than the corresponding number in the Chart, he or she can start applying for a visa immediately.
- Current Status Filing Date Chart: Indicates when an individual can start the process to file for their immigration benefit even if their category is not current.
- Learn the Terminology: “Current” = No wait time. “Retrogression” = The numbers for a particular category have gone backwards or decreased.
With these 4 simple steps, you will know how your case is going to do in the visa bulletin February 2022. Remember that there are only 140,000 spots available for employment-based immigrants and 226,000 spots for family-based immigrants. There are many different categories and there is only so much room for each category. As noted above, the Bulletin was recently moved up 8 months for the F-2B category. Therefore, it is wise to keep track of your category and priority date and to check the Bulletin on a regular basis. For example, immigration attorney Beata Leja explains that “the Bulletin helps applicants determine when it is time to move on to the last step of the foreigner’s green card process. This step is either to apply for the I-485 adjustment of status to a green card holder with USCIS or to go through consular processing at a U.S. Consulate abroad.
Address Common Challenges with the Visa Bulletin
We see many individuals in similar circumstances and with similar goals, confused as to how to best utilize the Visa Bulletin to their advantage. The following are examples of common problems and ways to overcome them.
- Retrogression: We go over examples of what happens when your Priority Date moves down (or retrogresses). Typically a Priority Date doesn’t go down. However, the State Department has to make tough decisions sometimes and lower Priority Dates to ensure fair distribution of applications for numbers that receive high amounts of applications for a limited amount of spots. The US Department of State can advise of further retrogression, or even that certain numbers (for example, EB-1 numbers for Indian nationals, and EB-2 numbers for Indian nationals) become ‘unavailable’ for several months or so. For example, EB-2 India for example recently moved back to Sept 1, 2013 for the Feb 10 bulletin.
- Many Types of Visas with Different Processing and Eligibility Requirements: The various types of immigrant visas all process differently and require different qualifications for eligibility to apply for the various categories of immigrants. For example, the current processing status for EB-1 Indian nationals is December 15, 2022 and subject to a large backlog of cases. Do you fall into the EB-2 category or the EB-3 category? Knowing your category is key to having accurate information regarding processing time for your case.
- When Should One File?: Our firm advises our clients as to the best time to file certain applications relating to their immigration case based on their current priority date in comparison to the current priority date as reflected in the Filing Applications chart and the Final Action Dates chart listed below. Importantly, USCIS only accepts applications of individuals whose priority date is prior to the appropriate cut-off date set forth in the aforementioned charts.
- Misinformation: Many immigrants rely on the advice of their relatives, friends, or neighbors as to how to proceed with their case. For example, there has been a lot of misinformation lately regarding the recent ICE actions regarding the OPT program for international students and how it will affect them and their future plans. We attempt to keep our clients current as to the information regarding the current policies and how to take steps to deal with these issues proactively.
Don’t let the potential obstacles to your goals keep you from reaching for them. We can guide you through the confusion of the U.S. immigration laws, with the clear and confident competence you expect. We have competitive payment plans, including on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. We understand that you are going through a difficult time and we are here to help. You have rights and we will be your advocate. We are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week to handle all your immigration matters.
Conclusion
At Vasquez Law Firm, we understand how difficult and frustrating dealing with the U.S. immigration system can be. Knowing how to use the Visa Bulletin, however, can make a huge difference in helping individuals obtain legal residency in the U.S.
We have added a page to stay updated on the latest changes to the Visa Bulletin and to help individuals learn how to read the Visa Bulletin in order to manage their application and have a better idea of what to expect.
We will help determine where your case is currently and what category your case falls under (EB-1 or EB-2). We have seen firsthand the challenges of retrogression as well as misinformation in the process. We are here to help.
Vasquez Law Firm provides bilingual legal services and has flexible payment options. Our aim is to help assist immigrant families, like yours, in achieving their legal residency goals.
The Visa Bulletin is a powerful tool for individuals trying to understand the often confusing immigration process. Being proactive and having as much information as possible is key to achieving one’s goals.
We are here to help. Contact Vasquez Law Firm for compassionate, bilingual legal services to assist you in achieving your dreams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin, issued monthly by the U.S. Department of State, helps manage pending immigration cases and plan for future applications by providing Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications.
What are Final Action Dates?
Final Action Dates indicate when final action can be taken on an immigrant petition (I-130) for a family member’s immigrant visa. If an immigrant's priority date is earlier than the corresponding date in the Bulletin, their application can be processed for the issuance of an immigrant visa.
What are Dates for Filing Applications?
Dates for Filing Applications allow individuals to file their applications even if their priority date is not yet current. This gives them precedence over those with earlier priority dates, enabling their applications to be processed as soon as their respective date becomes current.
How can the Visa Bulletin help with case management?
The Visa Bulletin provides information on when cases will be ready for interviews and helps organize necessary documents. It is important to keep cases up to date at the National Visa Center to avoid retrogression that may hinder application filing.
How can Vasquez Law Firm assist with immigration cases?
Vasquez Law Firm offers experienced immigration lawyers to help with family immigration and application needs. They provide free consultations, flexible payment plans, and virtual consultations in English and Spanish.
What should I do if I want to discuss my immigration case with Vasquez Law Firm?
You can contact Vasquez Law Firm to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and the associated costs. They can also help establish a payment plan that fits your budget.
List of Sources
- Explain the Purpose of the Visa Bulletin
- The Visa Bulletin Explained: How to Read It, What the April 2026 Numbers Mean, and When to Act | SG Legal Group (https://sglegalgroup.com/blog/the-visa-bulletin-explained-how-to-read-it-what-the-april-2026-numbers-mean-and-when-to-act)
- Visa Bulletin Changes Allow for Earlier Filing of Green Card (https://haynesboone.com/news/alerts/visa-bulletin-changes-allow-for-earlier-filing-of-green-card-applications)
- September 2026 Visa Bulletin - Latest Update (https://boundless.com/blog/visa-bulletin)
- September 2026 Visa Bulletin: Family-Based Final Action Dates Advance Sharply - WR Immigration (https://wolfsdorf.com/september-2026-visa-bulletin-family-based-final-action-dates-advance-sharply)
- Monthly Immigrant Visa Issuance Statistics (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics/immigrant-visa-statistics/monthly-immigrant-visa-issuances.html)
- Detail February 2022 Visa Bulletin Updates
- Monthly Immigrant Visa Issuance Statistics (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics/immigrant-visa-statistics/monthly-immigrant-visa-issuances.html)
- February 2022 Visa Bulletin - Gradual Forward Movement in EB-2 India and China - Capitol Immigration Law Group PLLC (https://cilawgroup.com/news/2022/01/13/february-2022-visa-bulletin-gradual-forward-movement-in-eb-2-india-and-china)
- Guide on Interpreting Visa Bulletin Information
- September 2026 Visa Bulletin - Latest Update (https://boundless.com/blog/visa-bulletin)
- Decoding The Visa Bulletin: Your Guide To US Immigration (https://demo.gae.org/gae-news/decoding-the-visa-bulletin-your-guide-to-us-immigration-1764797004)
- Visa Bulletin Explained: Why Green Card Timelines Are Difficult to Predict (https://mmhpc.com/understanding-the-visa-bulletin-why-we-cant-predict-when-youll-get-a-green-card)
- The Visa Bulletin Explained: A Guide to Understanding Visa Availability and Retrogression - Capitol Immigration Law Group PLLC (https://cilawgroup.com/news/2023/11/13/the-visa-bulletin-explained-a-guide-to-understanding-visa-availability-and-retrogression)
- Monthly Immigrant Visa Issuance Statistics (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics/immigrant-visa-statistics/monthly-immigrant-visa-issuances.html)
- Address Common Challenges with the Visa Bulletin
- Visa Statistics (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics.html)
- Green card retrogressions: How to move forward when the Visa Bulletin is moving backward - Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm (https://garfinkelimmigration.com/2024/10/01/green-card-retrogressions-how-to-move-forward-when-the-visa-bulletin-is-moving-backward)
- FGI UPDATE: This Week’s Summary of U.S. Immigration News - Fakhoury Law Group, PC (https://fakhouryglobal.com/immigration-alerts/fgi-update-this-weeks-summary-of-u-s-immigration-news-15)
- The Boundless Immigration Blog (https://boundless.com/blog)
