January 2011 Visa Bulletin: Family-Sponsored Visa Categories Massively Retrogress

AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10121449 (posted Dec. 14, 2010)

The Department of State (DOS) has significantly retrogressed cut-off dates for family-sponsored preference categories (F-1 to F-3) effective with the January 2011 Visa Bulletin.

The level of demand for visa numbers in the family-sponsored preference categories was very low from early 2009 through September 2010. Accordingly, the cut-off dates for most family preference categories were advanced at a rapid pace, in an attempt to generate demand so the annual numerical limits could be fully utilized. As a result of the accelerated level of demand over the last few months, the State Department has retrogressed most of the worldwide cut-off dates effective January 1, 2011. For example, the family sponsored preference 2A category (spouse and children of LPR) for most countries retrogressed from August 1, 2010, to January 1, 2008. The family sponsored 2B category for most countries retrogressed from June 1, 2005 to April 15, 2003, per the January 2011 Visa Bulletin (AILA Doc. No. 10120964).

According to the State Department, it is unlikely these categories will recover for some time since demand for family-sponsored preference categories does not appear to be subsiding.

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Written by Chris Jaensch

Attorney P. Christopher Jaensch received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1992 and a Juris Doctor degree in 1995 from the University of Florida. While at UF, he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa Society and Florida Blue Key, the oldest and most prestigious leadership honorary in the state of Florida.

Mr. Jaensch is a member of the Florida Bar, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Sarasota Bar Association. He has served as President of the Sarasota-Manatee International Trade Club and served as Regional Vice Chair, Tampa Bay, for the Central Florida Chapter of AILA. He was a member of City of Sarasota Charter Review Committee and has been active in several local organizations, including the influential Laurel Park Neighborhood Association in downtown Sarasota.

Mr. Jaensch has over 18 years of experience in the field of immigration and nationality law and focuses his practice on four primary categories (a) investors and entrepreneurs, (b) business executives, managers and professionals, (c) amateur and professional athletes and coaches and (d) performing artists and immigrants with extraordinary ability.