The State Department has announced the August 2012 Visa Bulletin. Because of the continued high demand on the family-sponsored first preference immigrant visa category (F1) for Philippine-born applicants, the Philippine priority cut-off date for this category has retrogressed to March 1, 1994.
Beginning August 1, 2012, only Philippine-born F1 applicants with priority dates earlier than March 1, 1994 are eligible for processing.
If your case is affected by the retrogression and you have previously received a visa appointment notification from us, please do not continue with your medical exam and interview appointment at this time. When your case becomes current, you will receive notification from us on how to proceed with your application.
To keep abreast of the movement of priority date cutoffs and visa number availability, you may visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html.
If you need more information, please contact us by email at IVManilaReplies@state.gov or by phone at (632) 301-2000, extension 5484 or 5185.
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My fathers paper retrogressed last two years ago….i have no idea when it will be back to normal….i just want to know it…thanks alot he’s under f3 category and his priority date is august 11 1993
Currently, Philippine F3 immigrant visa numbers are available only for applicants with priority dates before July 22, 1992.
There is no way we can reliably predict the movement of the cutoff dates, which can advance, remain at a standstill, regress or even become completely unavailable from month to month.In the meantime, you may visit the State Department’s website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html for information on the movement of priority dates and visa availability.
My brother’s case is under f2b… He is done with all the paperworks and have paid all visa fees. He is now waiting for the medical and interview appointments. However, due to retrogression, the wait is nearly two years after completion of documentations and payments. Isn’t that unfair to have him pay and wait til now?
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
The retrogression is the result of extremely heavy demand for immigrant visa numbers in the preference visa category, and it was necessary in order to keep visa issuance within the annual numerical limits allowed by law.
U.S. immigration law requires that immigrant visa numbers be made available strictly in order of priority date. There is no provision within the law that would allow the numerical limitation to be waived in any individual’s case, regardless of the circumstances.
We understand that basic documentary requirement and visa application fees have already been paid at the State Department’s National Visa Center (NVC). The fees will not be forfeited at this time, as the case has been affected by retrogression. The NVC will take further action on the case once the applicant’s priority date becomes current for processing.
Meanwhile, you may visit the State Department’s website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html for information on the movement of priority dates and visa availability.
Hi. I was about to resked our appointment dated Jan 22,2013 and when I tried to cancel it via website (ustraveldocs), it says there that I can not cancel at this time. There were no future dates for appointments yet.
How do I reschedule? their call center is also closed because of a US holiday so there’s no other way for me to cancel…help please
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager. For specific information regarding your visa case, please send an email to IVManilaReplies@state.gov with your complete name, date and place of birth, and the 10-digit visa case number.