Ask the Consul
My immigrant visa case retrogressed. What does that mean?
Because there are more applicants than immigrant visas
available in a given year, the U.S. Government regulates how many visas are
issued by using “Priority Dates” and “Cut-off” dates. Interview dates are based
on an applicant’s Priority Date, normally the date the petition was filed, and
it’s relation to the Cut-Off date assigned by the U.S. Department of State.
Anyone whose Priority Date is before the Cut-Off date will be scheduled for an
interview (the case is “current”). Anyone whose Priority Date is after the
Cut-off date will not be scheduled (the case is “not current”). You may verify
visa availability at the U.S. Department of State’s monthly Visa Bulletin
located at
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_2943.html.
The State Department calculates how many of each type of
visa can be issued each month and invites approximately that number of
applicants in for interviews. For example, if the annual limit for a visa is
6,000 per year the State Department will plan for approximately 500 interviews a
month. In this example, each month the first 500 applicants based on Priority
Date would get interviews.
Each month the actual number of interviews changes.
Sometimes the number of visas issued in a month exceeds the number planned. In
that case, the State Department must reduce the number of interviews to ensure
the statutory limit is not exceeded. The State Department adjusts the number of
interviews by moving the Cut-off date back in time.
When a Cut-off is moved back in time it is called
“Retrogression”. Retrogression just occurred this time only for the F1 and F2A
visa categories. The Cut-off date for F2A visas retrogressed from March 1, 2002
to September 8, 1999. This means that some applicants, who were previously
scheduled for appointments, now cannot be interviewed – their cases’ Priority
Dates are “not current”. As the end of fiscal year approaches (September 30th)
there may be additional retrogressions. If your case is affected by
retrogression, please note that you will not lose your place in line. Your
interview is only being delayed.
Just remember, your turn in line is saved by the Priority Date, and your turn
will eventually come for an interview. To see whether you have been affected,
you can go to this link which contains a list of cases that were ready for an
interview and whose Priority Dates retrogressed:
http://www.usemb.gov.do/Consular/Retrogression.pdf. | 
