US Dept of State Family-Sponsored Visa Bulletin Predictions for December 2021

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* Note: Dates in red indicate that priority went backwards instead of forwards which is known as retrogression. This is caused when the Department of State finds that the number of visas available is running out faster than originally estimated. The date is moved backward to show a more accurate picture of the visa backlog. FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE DEFINITIONS First: (FB1) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference. Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers: ----  A. (FB2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents: 77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit; ----  B. (FB2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation. Third: (FB3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences. Fourth: (FB4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.