What is retrogression?

Retrogression (priority date rollback) is a phenomenon within the U.S. immigration queue system. It occurs when the date that allows an applicant to advance to the final stage of the green card process, rather than moving forward, moves backward in a new edition of the Visa Bulletin.

This happens because the number of visas available per category is limited, and when demand exceeds supply in a given period, the queue slows down or steps back. Each applicant has a priority date (the date their petition entered the queue) and can only complete the process when that date falls within what the bulletin considers available.

In the EB-2 NIW, retrogression affects the time to completion, not the merit review of your case. That means:

• It is not a denial or a problem with your petition.
• It reflects accumulated demand and visa availability in the category.
• It can shift from one period to the next, forward or backward.

Because dates change over time, the safest approach is to follow official Visa Bulletin updates (Department of State) and confirm your situation with USCIS or a specialist, planning the process with realistic expectations.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.