What is ‘EB to FB visa spillover’?

When we talk about “EB to FB visa spillover,” we are referring to a situation where unused visas in one category – usually employment-based immigration (Employment-Based or EB) – can, theoretically, end up benefiting applicants from another category, such as family-based immigration (Family-Based or FB). This “transfer” of available numbers is called spillover, that is, what “spills over” from one category to another.

To better explain, it is worth remembering that the United States immigration system establishes an annual limit of visas per category, per country, and for the total country. Many times, the number of visas allocated for certain categories is not fully used. In this context, if there are visas that were not used in the EB category, there is the possibility that these numbers are redistributed to other categories, including those based on family ties.

This redistribution can, indirectly, speed up processing or benefit applicants waiting in the queues of the Family-Based categories. It is important to emphasize that this mechanism does not work automatically nor is it guaranteed. The redistribution of visa numbers depends on the rules established by the U.S. Department of State and the specific circumstances of each fiscal year.

Furthermore, in practice, the term “spillover” can be understood in different ways and is often used more informally to describe the dynamic between visa categories.

Finally, whenever dealing with matters related to United States immigration laws, it is essential to strictly follow the current regulations, seek information from official sources, and be cautious with marketing campaigns that promise miraculous or guaranteed results. Before making any decisions or starting an immigration process, it is recommended to have detailed guidance from specialized professionals and consult official guidelines to avoid risks and misunderstandings.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.