Priority dates for family-sponsored immigrant visa categories showed a major retrogression in the January Visa Bulletin.

Categories for unmarried sons and daughters of citizens (F1), spouses and minor children of permanent residents (F2A), unmarried, adult children of permanent residents (F2B) and married sons and daughters of citizens (F3) retrogressed significantly for most countries. In the F2A category (for example), the retrogression for most countries was well over two years. In the F2B category, retrogression for most countries was from June 1, 2005 to April 15, 2003.

According to the U.S. Department of State, the family preference categories experienced an unusually low demand from early 2009 through September of that same year. In order to take advantage of the annual numerical limits, the priority dates in those categories were advanced rapidly to generate demand. The volume of responding petitions was so greatly increased, the U.S. State department was forced to retrogress visa availability in many categories.

To view the visa bulletin for January 2011, click here.