Understanding Foreign State of Chargeability [Immigration] and Its Implications

Definition & Meaning

Foreign state of chargeability refers to the country that an immigrant is associated with when applying for an immigration visa under the preference system. This designation is typically based on the individual's country of birth. Each fiscal year, there are limits on the number of family-sponsored and employment-based visas that can be issued to natives of any one country, capped at seven percent. Furthermore, no dependency of any independent country can receive more than two percent of these visas.

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Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

For instance, if a person was born in India but is currently living in the United States, their foreign state of chargeability would be India. This means that when applying for a visa, the number of visas available to them from India would be subject to the aforementioned caps. (hypothetical example)

Comparison with related terms

Term Definition Key Differences
Chargeability The country associated with an immigrant for visa purposes. Focuses on country of birth rather than residency.
Visa Cap The maximum number of visas issued to a country. Refers specifically to the limits set on visa issuance.

What to do if this term applies to you

If you are applying for an immigration visa, determine your foreign state of chargeability based on your country of birth. Review the visa limits to understand how they may affect your application. For assistance, consider using US Legal Forms to access ready-to-use legal templates. If your situation is complex, consulting with a legal professional is recommended.

Quick facts

  • Chargeability is based on country of birth.
  • Seven percent cap on visas from any independent country.
  • Two percent cap for dependencies of independent countries.

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

It is the country associated with an immigrant based on their country of birth for visa purposes.