Since we have received a lot of questions in
forum and blog comments about F2A category, we have decided to write a blog post for FB categories. It would also be helpful to EB categories.
This article has special emphasis on F2A category which is expected to be current in coming months and is expected to remain "Current" till the October 2013 Visa Bulletin.
Q. What does "Current" mean?
A. If Visa Bulletin has a "C" besides any category/country, it means that category/country is current. Current means that visa bulletin cutoff date for F2A category is Aug 2013 (instead of Oct 2011). Please see two options below:
(1) If you live within US: You can file I-485 application even if I-130 application is pending.
(2) If you live outside US: You should not file I-485. You will have to wait for
I-130 to be approved. Once it is approved and PD is current, you do not
have to do anything else. NVC will schedule your interview.
For NVC/Consular processing, please click here:
http://blog.mygcvisa.com/2013/09/nvc-consular-processing-steps.html
Q. Why is F2A category becoming Current?
A. There has been a large amount of visas wasted in this category in
FY2009, FY 2010 and FY 2012. To prevent this waste, DOS would most
likely make this category as "current" in either August or September VB.
This will help them build a "pipeline" of cases after applicants file
I-485 applications. In FY 2012,
over 18,000 visas were wasted in FB category.
Here are more details on how many visas were wasted in F2A category:
Annual approx visas allotted to F2A category by law: 87,934. However actual visas allotted in the last 5 fiscal years was much below 87,934 quota. More details below by fiscal year:
FY 2012:
77,300 (visa wasted: 10,000+ )
FY 2011:
81,728 (visa wasted: 6,000+ )
FY 2010: 60,652 (visa wasted: 27,000+ )
FY 2009:
75,075 (visa wasted: 12,000+)
Source:
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/statistics/statistics_1476.html. Select year and then click on heading for V section.
Q. How long would F2A category remain current?
A. It is likely to remain current till Oct or Nov VB.
Once enough demand has been generated, it is likely to retrogress and then continue to move forward slowly. How far it retrogress depends on how many applications are filed in the next few months.
Q. Why are some other FB categories moving slowly?
A. Visa allocation is based on supply and demand. The supply is fixed by law for each FB categories. The demand however can change every month. If the demand is higher in some months, the dates would move slowly (since supply is fixed, though demand is higher). In F2A category, the current demand is low, hence dates are moving faster.
Q. What is difference between I-485 and consular processing?
A. If you are inside US, you can either file I-485 application or go for
consular processing. If you are outside US, you can only go for consular
processing.
Note: You can either file I-485 or do consular processing. You cannot typically do both.
Q. Can applicant outside US go for consular processing interview when I-130 is pending?
A. For FB category, currently you have to wait for I-130 to be approved before you can go for consular processing interview. Please see next question.
Q. What are the complete steps for NVC/consular processing?
A. Please see this:
http://blog.mygcvisa.com/2013/09/nvc-consular-processing-steps.html
Also please see this article from USCIS:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=62280a5659083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=62280a5659083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD
