xavier2014

Well every category is moving so it's a good sign that F2B is moving as well(already 9 yrs backlog). F3 is moving more than 4 months hopefully, we'll see similar F2B progress in the coming months. With that more people are now eligible for interviews and can expedite their cases. Let's hope that no single country hampers the momentum, and each country gets 10-15 visas from now

@makers If you become a naturalized citizen, applicants immigration category would change to F1. At that point, you would need to request to stay in the F2B category. If your children get married, the category would further change to F3. The wait time between F3 and F1 or F2B is almost 6 years. Yes, we are all waiting, and the existence of the F2B/F1 category seems unjustified, especially when the wait time period stands at 9+ years now. Remaining unmarried is a significant factor that impacts applicants, especially if the applicant is female. I'm guessing that most female applicants from 2015-17 have already gotten married. Immigration is a crucial topic in this year's US election, but there is a noticeable lack of focus on the legal immigration system.

nope you can't get married while still waiting for F2B visas, long wait it really does impact many people. I am sure many visas would be invalid after the State Department starts moving visas. I think that's one of the reasons the State Department missed the 26k mark before COVID people get married, and visas get wasted. As I am reading on Twitter/X, US politics are now discussing open border migration issues. Many people sarcastically suggesting they should try that instead waiting legally lol.

Most F2B applicants are above 21, and they are typically at their peak in terms of workalike. The EB category is not solely about high skill, as there seems to be some abuse in this category. It's frustrating that there has been no movement in the F2B category after three years. I can't see any valid reason from the State Department for keeping F2B on hold in this manner. Oh man you are too close, just wait for another movement

EB has the largest lobby with the most lawyers working alongside them. Congress has set a limit on the number of visas they can issue per year. The only way to generate additional visas is by blocking family visas, thus creating a spillover. Unfortunately, many applicants in family categories are not actively involved in lobbying or working with lawyers to file complaints.

These visas are lost forever, with no coming back(according to Charlie), leaving a huge backlog in the F category. There is a loophole or system called spillover (unused family visas, lol!) that can be used to supplement EB visas. Since EB has significant lobbying power, they usually get priorities instead of increased EB quotas. @GusHD you are right 2024 very important, hopefully someone will ask Charlie a follow-up question regarding F2B visas in the coming months

Check this out at 42 min. Most YouTube channels focus on EB visas because that's where the money is (nothing wrong). Charlie himself is now an adviser to this firm,I believe if he would still be there it should have moved more https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPnv-YrEIF8&t=2550s

The DR issue would become clear after we see the 2023 reports, until then we can wonder what's going on there. Charlie Oppenheim used to handle the visa bulletin he retired at the end of 2021 I believe. After that, we never saw a big move in F2B. I don't know if there's any coincidence there, but according to him, the State Department, plus NVC, oversees the demand. If sufficient demand is not there, they would update the visa bulletin. So, there's a lot we do know. The problem is they might miscalculate demand otherwise they wouldn't miss 3-4k visas each year. Charlie is saying we should see frequent movement in F2B now. Let's see. They prioritize EB visas(they have big influence) over family-based visas. Last year it was 197k (they used it all) this year it would be 161k therefore more family-based visas should be processed

@RR159 @zaback21 Monthly visa issuances were overall above 45k+ in October and November. It seems they issued more visas to F2A and F4. The good news is that they probably covered most of the current Priority Dates. The bad news is that both F1 and F2B are not moving, most countries did not receive any F1 visas this month. This category needs to move drastically, and I don't know what NVC or the State Department are doing in this regard. Otherwise, visas would be wasted this year as well in these two categories