Starting your immigration journey can be both hopeful and overwhelming. Whether you’re applying for a green card through employment or family sponsorship, one immigration question that often causes confusion and anxiety is: What does retrogression mean?
If you’ve come across this term while tracking your case status or checking the Visa Bulletin, you’re not alone. Retrogression can have a major impact on your immigration timeline, and understanding it is crucial to managing expectations and making informed decisions.
Let’s break it down in simple terms—what retrogression means, why it happens, and how it might affect your immigration process.
What Is Retrogression in U.S. Immigration?
In U.S. immigration, retrogression refers to the backward movement of priority dates in the Visa Bulletin. When a priority date that was previously current becomes unavailable, this is known as retrogression.
- In simple terms: Even if your green card application was nearly ready to be processed, you might have to wait longer because your visa category is no longer current due to high demand.
Why Does Retrogression Happen?
The U.S. government places annual limits on how many green cards can be issued in each immigration category and for each country. When demand exceeds the available supply in a given year, the U.S. Department of State has to adjust the priority dates, often moving them backward.
Here’s why retrogression occurs:
- High demand: More people apply for green cards than there are visas available in a given year.
- Per-country limits: No country can receive more than 7% of the total visas issued per year.
- Annual caps: Each visa category has an annual cap (e.g., EB-2, EB-3, family-based F2A).
- Quota reached too quickly: If the yearly cap is reached early, priority dates retrogress to slow down approvals.
How Do I Know If My Case Is Affected by Retrogression?
Your priority date is a key factor. When you submit your immigration petition (Form I-130, I-140, etc.), USCIS assigns you a priority date—essentially, your place in line.
To check your status:
- Locate your priority date (found on your USCIS receipt notice).
- Check the monthly Visa Bulletin (published by the Department of State).
- Compare your priority date to the “Final Action Date” in your category.
If your priority date was current but now falls behind the cutoff due to retrogression, you won’t be able to move forward with your green card processing until it becomes current again.
Which Green Card Categories Are Affected Most Often?
Retrogression primarily affects these categories:
- Employment-Based (EB) Green Cards
- EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals)
- EB-3 (Skilled Workers & Professionals)
- Family-Based Green Cards
- F2A (Spouses and children of permanent residents)
- F2B (Unmarried adult children of permanent residents)
- F4 (Siblings of U.S. citizens)
Certain countries with high demand—such as India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines—often experience more frequent retrogressions.
How Long Can Retrogression Last?
There’s no fixed timeline for how long retrogression lasts. It could be:
- A few months
- A year
- Even longer depending on demand and government policy
Every new fiscal year (starting October 1st), unused visas from other categories might be reallocated, which could cause priority dates to move forward again.
What Should I Do If My Case Is Retrogressed?
Here’s what you can do if you’ve been affected by retrogression:
- Stay informed: Regularly check the Visa Bulletin.
- Maintain your status: If you’re in the U.S. on a temporary visa, ensure your nonimmigrant status remains valid.
- Consult an attorney: Have an immigration question about your case? Speak with a qualified immigration lawyer.
- Prepare in advance: Get your documents and forms ready even if you can’t file right away.
- Monitor USCIS updates: Stay alert to changes in policies or procedures that might impact your timeline.
How Legal Professionals Help You Navigate Retrogression
Retrogression is complex, and the rules vary based on your immigration category and country of origin. Having an immigration question attorney on your side can provide clarity and strategy.
A knowledgeable immigration question lawyer can:
- Analyze your visa category and priority date
- Offer backup plans, such as switching categories or exploring other visa options
- Help you maintain legal status while waiting
- Provide updates on new immigration policy changes
Common Immigration Questions About Retrogression
- Can my green card be denied due to retrogression?
No, your green card won’t be denied because of retrogression, but your case processing will be delayed until your visa category becomes current again. - I had an interview scheduled, and then retrogression happened—what now?
Your interview may be postponed. USCIS cannot approve adjustment of status applications if your visa category is not current. - Can I switch categories to avoid retrogression?
In some cases, yes. If eligible under another employment- or family-based category, you might consider reapplying. Speak to an immigration lawyer first. - Will my priority date ever become current again?
Yes, but the timeline depends on visa availability and future demand. It may take months or even years.
Final Thoughts: Retrogression Isn’t the End—Just a Delay
Getting hit by retrogression can feel like a setback, but it doesn’t mean your immigration journey is over. Think of it as a pause, not a denial. By staying informed and working with professionals who understand the system, you can stay prepared and ready to move forward when your priority date becomes current again.
If you have an immigration question about your green card, visa status, or retrogression, don’t guess—speak with a qualified immigration question attorney for accurate guidance.
Need Help Understanding Your Immigration Case?
If you’re dealing with retrogression or have questions about how it affects your immigration status, an experienced immigration question lawyer can help you navigate the complexities and plan your next steps.
Schedule a consultation today and get the answers you need.
