India Second Preference Visa Numbers Available in April; Iraqi, Afghani Translator Numbers Going Fast
The Department of State’s Visa Office announced in the April 2008 Visa Bulletin that visa numbers have once again become available to the India employment second preference category.
The Department noted that if total demand is insufficient to use all available numbers in a particular employment preference category in a calendar quarter, the unused numbers may be made available without regard to the annual “per-country” limit. Based on the current level of demand, the Department said, there would be otherwise unused numbers in the employment second preference category. The rate of number use in that category will continue to be monitored, and the Department said it may be necessary to make adjustments should the level of demand increase substantially.
The Department also stated that the National Visa Center has already scheduled 485 Iraqi and Afghani special immigrant translator cases for interview in fiscal year 2008. Of these, 332 special immigrant visa numbers have been issued to principal applicants and another 170 cases are scheduled for March. Given the number of cases scheduled, along with those still pending, the Department said it is likely that the FY 2008 numerical limitation of 500 visas in this category will be reached soon.
