The U.S. Department of State releases the Visa Bulletin each month to inform applicants about the availability of immigrant visa numbers. The bulletin outlines cut-off dates for various visa categories and countries, which are important for individuals planning to immigrate to the United States.
When someone files a petition for an immigrant visa with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), they receive a priority date. This date establishes their place in line for visa processing. Applicants can move forward with their visa application when their priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed in the Visa Bulletin.
It is important for those seeking certain types of visas to check the Visa Bulletin regularly. The most recent updates can be found on the official website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html.