Definition
Cross-Chargeability
Claiming a spouse or parent's country of birth to avoid a backlogged category.
Under INA §202(b), an applicant can be "charged" to the country of birth of a spouse or, in limited cases, a parent. This rule lets an applicant born in a backlogged country (e.g., India) use their spouse's non-backlogged country (e.g., Canada) for Visa Bulletin purposes.
See also
Not legal advice. Definitions are provided for educational use. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney.