"recaptured" 50,000 numbers for Schedule A

so there is a few visas then but not many? that would be a nice xmas pressie, but unless im blind (which may be possible as ive had no sleep yet after my night shift) i cant see where it says about the returned unused visas?

There were only 50,000 total visas specially allocated for nurses in the first place. Notice that it does not say specific to nurses, but includes all areas, and dependent family members are also included in that number.

It will only make a small dent in the number that are waiting, if you are already in line for the Embassy interview and have a PD before the cut-off date. There are not too many that have a date back then, as RNs are fast-tracked.

patience is a virtue... i just need to practice such.. .hehehehehehe

hi suzanne4, i don't understand the "recapturing". what does this mean? --- that there is still retrogression?

The 'recaptured' 50,000 visas are virtually gone already; that is why we are in retrogression. Retrogression happens if there are more applicants or petitions or whatever we call it than what is actually can be given. That 50,000 visas for Schedule A was signed in by Pres. Bush last May of 2005 and USCIS estimated that it was used up last Nov. 1, 2006 that is why there was retrogression.

However, USCIS only gives estimates on the actual numbers that are still available or used up and they found out later on (in the current Visa bulletin for Jan. 2007) that there are actually some more visas left from that 50,000.

Only those who are already lined up for interview will benefit from these and would logically be on a first come first served basis. The nearer your interview date on the Nov.1 set date - the most likely you will be given visas and the farther you are from it, the higher the probability that the remaining visas will be used up before it gets to you. Remember, allocation of visas includes the dependents and not just the nurse, i.e. a nurse w/ 3 dependents (spouse plus 2 children below 21 y.o.) will actually be allocated 4 visa numbers to be taken from the 50,000. So, the very few remaining visas will be gone very, very fast.

USCIS will prob. announce on the next bulletin in Jan. 2007 (Feb. 2007 bulletin) that every visa from the 50,000 are already exhausted and all those w/ interview dates that officially cannot be given visas will have to wait for the next visa allocations to be given. These new allocations will prob. be part of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill to be tackled only beginning 1st qtr of 2007 and actual visas for nurses will prob. be given on more or less on the summer of 2007. Congress has already adjourned for the year and will re-convene sometime mid-Jan. 2007.

thanks for the info lawrence! it's hard to really plan a career with the retrogression in place. but i'm still pushing forward, one step at a time.

Everyone repeat after me...

"Retrogression WILL NOT last forever! I will remain calm. I WILL NOT listen to rumors on the street. I WILL come to allnurses to keep abreast of the news."

It wll happen if you get your paperwork in and practice patience.

Good Luck!

So what is going to happen with those AOS's aplicants? My AOS is under the final decision. It has been reviewed and after all my additionally requested documents were sent, the process has been resumed... (the status says so). Where such people are in the line? Does anyone know?