How is the priority date determined in the visa application process?

The priority date in the visa application process is determined by the date the petition is filed with USCIS. This date is significant because it establishes the applicant's place in line for a visa within a given category and country. For family and employment-based visas, there are often annual caps on the number of visas available, so the priority date helps to manage the queue of applicants.

When the petition is filed, it triggers the process that allows the applicant to await a visa number availability, which is crucial for those facing backlogs. The priority date remains with the application throughout the process and is essential for determining eligibility for adjustment of status or consular processing.

Other choices do not accurately reflect how the priority date is established; for instance, the date the visa is issued is too late in the process to influence the applicant's position in the queue, while the date of entry into the U.S. and the date of the applicant's interview are events that occur after the establishment of the priority date.