[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 22, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 22CFR42.51]

[Page 232-233]
 
                       TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS
 
                     CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF STATE
 
PART 42--VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED--Table of Contents
 
            Subpart F--Numerical Controls and Priority Dates
 
Sec. 42.51  Department control of numerical limitations.

    Source: 56 FR 51174, Oct. 10, 1991, unless otherwise noted.


    (a) Centralized control. Centralized control of the numerical 
limitations on immigration specified in INA 201, 202, and 203 is 
established in the Department. The Department shall limit the number of 
immigrant visas that may be issued and the number of adjustments of 
status that may be granted to aliens subject to these numerical 
limitations to a number:
    (1) Not to exceed 27 percent of the world-wide total made available 
under INA 203 (a), (b) and (c) in any of the first three quarters of any 
fiscal year; and
    (2) Not to exceed, in any month of a fiscal year, 10% of the world-
wide total made available under INA 203 (a), (b) and (c) plus any 
balance remaining from authorizations for preceding months in the same 
fiscal year.
    (b) Allocation of numbers. Within the foregoing limitations, the 
Department shall allocate immigrant visa numbers for use in connection 
with the issuance of immigrant visas and adjustments based on the 
chronological order of the priority dates of visa applicants classified 
under INA 203 (a) and (b) reported by consular officers pursuant to 
Sec. 42.55(b) and of applicants for adjustment of status as reported by 
officers of the INS, taking into account the requirements of INA 202(e) 
in such allocations. In the case of applicants under INA 203(c), visa 
numbers shall be allocated within the limitation for each specified 
geographical region in the random order determined in accordance with 
sec. 42.33(c) of this part.
    (c) Recaptured visa numbers. An immigrant visa number shall be 
returned to the Department for reallocation within the fiscal year in 
which the visa was issued when:

[[Page 233]]

    (1) An immigrant having an immigrant visa is excluded from the 
United States and deported;
    (2) An immigrant does not apply for admission to the United States 
before the expiration of the validity of the visa;
    (3) An alien having a preference immigrant visa is found not to be a 
preference immigrant; or
    (4) An immigrant visa is revoked pursuant to Sec. 42.82.

[56 FR 51174, Oct. 10, 1991, as amended at 59 FR 15302, Mar. 31, 1994; 
63 FR 48578, Sept. 11, 1998]