How can you tell whether a visa quota was available when filing an I-485? I submitted my paperwork and it was accepted — does that mean a visa number was available at that time? Or does USCIS accept applications regardless of quota availability and then sort it out during administrative processing? I can’t find a clear explanation anywhere.
The fact that the documents were accepted actually confirms that a visa number was available on the filing date. USCIS does not accept an I-485 if the priority date is not current — it’s physically impossible through their system. The only nuance is that there are two tracks in the bulletin, Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates, and when USCIS opens filing under the first track you can file earlier, but approvals will have to wait until the date becomes current under Final Action. For EB1A the date is current for most countries anyway, so this isn’t as relevant, but for those with a backlog — after I-140 approval you need to wait for the visa bulletin, plan on 6–12 months, and only then can you file the I-485.
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