I've read there are no visa quotas while other online sources say there are. The answer is in the middle. Some visa categories do have quotas while others do not.

Non-Immigrant Visas (e.g., Tourist and Student Visas) DO NOT have quotas

No Quotas: For categories like B1/B2 tourist visas or F-1 student visas, there’s no annual cap. The decision to approve or deny your application depends on your eligibility and the discretion of the consular officer—not a numerical limit.

Misconception: Some people rush their applications because they think the “slots” will run out. But for these types of visas, you can apply at any time of the year. Now that being said you do want to apply sooner rather than later since interview slots fill up fast.

Immigrant Visas (e.g., Family-Based and Employment-Based Green Cards) DO have quotas

• Diversity Visa Lottery
  • The U.S. issues 55,000 green cards annually through the DV Lottery. This is one visa program where numbers are strictly capped and timing matters—if you’re selected, you must act quickly to complete the process before the fiscal year ends.

Why This Matters

Understanding quotas can save you from unnecessary panic and guide you in planning your immigration journey. For example:

• Don’t delay your B1/B2 tourist visa because you think slots will run out—they won’t.
• If you’re applying for a family-based or employment-based visa, knowing the quota and wait time for your category can help manage your expectations.
• If you’re from a country with high demand (like India or the Philippines), be prepared for longer waits in quota-limited categories.

This is why its so important to get your visa information from a reliable source. I've seen some videos on immigration that have millions of views on youtube even though they have no idea what they're talking about but a high production value.