How To Read Visa Bulletin and Find Your Priority Date

Waiting for a green card can feel like standing in a line without knowing where it begins or when it will move. The monthly Visa Bulletin is the tool the government uses to show which applicants may move forward, but its charts and abbreviations can be confusing. In this guide, you will learn how to read the Visa Bulletin, find your priority date, and determine whether your case is current.

What Is the Purpose of the Visa Bulletin?

The U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin to show when immigrant visas are available in family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories.

Congress limits how many green cards may be issued in many of these categories during each fiscal year. In general, the family-sponsored preference system receives at least 226,000 immigrant visas annually, while the employment-based preference system receives at least 140,000. Unused visa numbers from certain categories or previous allocations can sometimes increase the total available in another category. e eligible people apply then there are visa numbers available, a backlog develops. Applicants are then placed in line according to their priority dates, preference categories, and chargeability areas.

The Visa Bulletin shows how far the government has progressed through that line. It does not tell you exactly how long your green card case will take, but it helps determine when you may be permitted to file an application and when the government may issue or approve your green card.

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens generally do not have to wait for a Visa Bulletin date. This category ordinarily includes:

• Spouses of U.S. citizens
• Unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens
• Parents of U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old

Other relatives and most employment-based applicants are placed into preference categories that may be subject to annual numerical limits and backlogs. 

Terms You Will Encounter When Reading the Visa Bulletin and What They Mean

The Visa Bulletin uses specialized terms that can be difficult to understand at first. Here are the most important ones:

• Priority date: Your place in line for an immigrant visa. It is usually based on the date an immigrant petition or labor certification was properly filed.
• Final Action Date, or FAD: The cutoff date used to determine whether an immigrant visa may be issued or an adjustment of status application may receive final approval.
• Dates for Filing, or DOF: A second set of cutoff dates that may allow applicants to begin submitting forms and supporting documents before their Final Action Date becomes current.
• Chargeability area: The country against whose annual visa allocation your case is counted. This is usually your country of birth, not your citizenship or current residence.
• Current: A category marked with the letter “C” is open to all qualified applicants in that category, regardless of priority date.
• Cutoff date: The date shown in a particular category and country column. Generally, your priority date must be earlier than the cutoff date to qualify under that chart.
• Per-country limit: A statutory limit restricting how many preference visas may ordinarily be charged to one country. The limit is generally 7% of the combined family-sponsored and employment-based annual preference totals. It is a ceiling, not a guaranteed allocation for each country. ogression:** A backward movement in a Visa Bulletin cutoff date. Retrogression can make a previously current priority date no longer current.
• Fiscal year: The federal government’s immigration fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30. Visa availability can change as the government tracks demand and remaining visa numbers throughout that period.

In some cases, an applicant may qualify to use a spouse’s country of birth through a rule known as cross-chargeability. Because chargeability issues can materially affect a green card timeline, applicants with spouses born in different countries should speak with an immigration lawyer before assuming which column applies.

Understanding the Two Charts in the Visa Bulletin

The Visa Bulletin contains two separate charts for family-sponsored cases and two separate charts for employment-based cases:

• Chart A: Final Action Dates
• Chart B: Dates for Filing

Confusing these charts is one of the most common Visa Bulletin mistakes. Chart A determines when the government may take final action on a case. Chart B may allow certain applicants to begin filing or submitting documents earlier, but only when the applicable government agency authorizes its use.

Chart A: Final Action Dates

Chart A is the primary visa-availability chart.

When your priority date is earlier than the Final Action Date listed for your preference category and chargeability area, an immigrant visa is considered available for final action, assuming you remain otherwise eligible.

For example, suppose your priority date is March 1, 2020, and the Final Action Date is April 1, 2020. Because March 1 is earlier than April 1, your priority date is current.

Chart A is always relevant because a green card generally cannot receive final approval until a visa number is available under the Final Action Dates chart. Filing an application under Chart B does not eliminate the need to become current under Chart A before final approval.

Chart B: Dates for Filing

Chart B can permit applicants to begin part of the green card process before a visa number is available for final approval.

For applicants pursuing adjustment of status inside the United States, USCIS publishes a separate monthly announcement identifying which chart must be used for family-sponsored filings and which chart must be used for employment-based filings.

To find the announcement:

1. Go to the USCIS page titled Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin.
2. Find the month in which you plan to file.
3. Review the separate instructions for family-sponsored and employment-based cases.
4. Confirm whether USCIS says to use the Final Action Dates chart or the Dates for Filing chart.
5. Return to the Department of State Visa Bulletin and use only the chart USCIS authorized for your type of case.

USCIS may authorize Chart B for family-sponsored cases while requiring Chart A for employment-based cases, or vice versa. The selection can also change from one month to the next.

When USCIS requires adjustment applicants to use Chart A, Chart B cannot be used to file Form I-485, regardless of how favorable the Chart B date may appear. If USCIS authorizes Chart B, eligible applicants whose priority dates fall before its cutoff may be able to file Form I-485, but their cases still cannot receive final approval until the Final Action Date becomes current. Applicants going through consular processing, the National Visa Center may use the Dates for Filing chart to determine when applicants should begin assembling and submitting fees, forms, and civil documents. Applicants should follow the instructions issued by the National Visa Center rather than assuming that a Chart B date automatically creates a right to an interview.

How to Read a Cell in the Chart

Each cell in a Visa Bulletin chart will show one of three possible values:

• A specific date: The category is backlogged. Your priority date must be earlier than the date shown.
• C, meaning Current: Visa numbers are available to all qualified applicants in that category, regardless of priority date.
• U, meaning Unauthorized or Unavailable: Visa numbers are not currently authorized for issuance in that category.

The Department of State uses dates in a day-month-year format. For example, “01FEB20” means February 1, 2020. If your priority date is exactly the same as the cutoff date, it is generally not current. It must be earlier than the date shown.

Family-Based Preference Categories

The family-sponsored preference system covers qualifying relatives who are not classified as immediate relatives of U.S. citizens.

F1: First Preference

The F1 category is for the unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens who are 21 or older.

The category receives 23,400 visa numbers annually, plus any numbers not required by the fourth preference category. Marriage can change the applicant’s category from F1 to F3 and may significantly affect the waiting period.

F2: Second Preference

The F2 category is for certain relatives of lawful permanent residents. It receives 114,200 visa numbers, plus certain additional numbers that may become available under the statutory allocation formula.

F2 is divided into two subcategories.

F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

F2A covers:

• Spouses of lawful permanent residents
• Unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents

F2A receives 77% of the total F2 allocation. Of those numbers, 75% are exempt from the normal per-country limit.

Because the petitioner is a permanent resident rather than a U.S. citizen, the spouse or child is not considered an immediate relative. Visa Bulletin availability may therefore affect when the beneficiary may file or complete the green card process.

F2B: Unmarried Adult Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents

F2B covers unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents who are 21 or older.

F2B receives 23% of the overall F2 allocation. Marriage generally eliminates eligibility in the F2B category because lawful permanent residents cannot petition for married sons or daughters.

F3: Third Preference

The F3 category is for married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.

It receives 23,400 visa numbers annually, plus any numbers not required by the F1 and F2 categories. The principal beneficiary’s spouse and qualifying unmarried children may generally immigrate as derivative beneficiaries.

F4: Fourth Preference

The F4 category is for brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. The petitioning U.S. citizen must be at least 21 years old.

F4 receives 65,000 visa numbers annually, plus numbers not required by the first three family preference categories. Demand in this category frequently exceeds the available annual supply, resulting in substantial waits for many applicants.

The statutory family preference allocations and percentages are published in the Visa Bulletin. determining the correct family preference category, speak with a family immigration lawyer.

Employment-Based Preference Categories

Employment-based immigrant visas are divided into five principal preference categories. The worldwide employment-based allocation is generally at least 140,000 per fiscal year, although the total can be higher when unused family-sponsored numbers carry over.

EB-1: First Preference

EB-1 is for priority workers, including:

• Individuals of extraordinary ability
• Outstanding professors and researchers
• Certain multinational executives and managers

EB-1 receives 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based allocation, plus any visa numbers not required by EB-4 and EB-5.

Some EB-1 applicants may self-petition, while others require a qualifying employer. EB-1 cases generally do not require permanent labor certification.

EB-2: Second Preference

EB-2 generally covers:

• Professionals holding advanced degrees
• Individuals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business

EB-2 receives 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based allocation, plus numbers not required by EB-1.

Most EB-2 cases require a permanent job offer and labor certification. However, applicants who qualify for a National Interest Waiver may be able to request that the job-offer and labor-certification requirements be waived.

EB-3: Third Preference

EB-3 includes:

• Skilled workers whose jobs require at least two years of training or experience
• Professionals whose jobs require at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent
• Other workers performing qualifying jobs that require less than two years of training or experience

EB-3 receives 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based allocation, plus numbers not used by EB-1 and EB-2. The law limits the number normally available to the “Other Workers” subcategory.

EB-4: Fourth Preference

EB-4 is for certain special immigrants. Depending on the law and program involved, this may include:

• Certain religious workers
• Special Immigrant Juveniles
• Certain broadcasters
• Certain employees of international organizations
• Other specially designated immigrant groups

EB-4 receives 7.1% of the worldwide employment-based allocation. Some EB-4 classifications may also be affected by separate statutory restrictions, program expiration dates, or category-specific rules.

EB-5: Fifth Preference

EB-5 is for qualifying immigrant investors who invest the required amount of capital in a new commercial enterprise and meet applicable job-creation requirements.

EB-5 receives 7.1% of the worldwide employment-based allocation.

Under the current statutory allocation structure, 32% of EB-5 visa numbers are reserved for qualifying investments in designated areas or projects:

• 20% for rural-area investments
• 10% for high-unemployment-area investments
• 2% for infrastructure projects

The remaining 68% are unreserved. Reserved and unreserved EB-5 cases may have different cutoff dates in the Visa Bulletin. gory percentages and annual totals describe visa allocation, not the complete eligibility requirements for each classification. An employment immigration lawyer can review which preference category applies and whether labor certification, employer sponsorship, or another preliminary step is required.

How to Find Your Own Priority Date

Before using the Visa Bulletin, you need to identify your priority date.

Family-Based Cases

In most family-sponsored preference cases, the priority date is the date USCIS properly received Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.

Look for a box labeled “Priority Date” on the Form I-797 receipt or approval notice. Do not confuse the priority date with:

• The notice date
• The approval date
• The date the notice was mailed
• The date an NVC case number was assigned

Employment-Based Cases

The priority date depends on whether permanent labor certification was required.

If the case required a PERM labor certification, the priority date is generally the date the U.S. Department of Labor accepted the labor certification application for processing.

If labor certification was not required, the priority date is generally the date USCIS properly received the applicable immigrant petition, such as Form I-140. This commonly applies to cases such as EB-1 petitions and certain EB-2 National Interest Waiver petitions. Priority date may appear on:

• The Form I-140 receipt notice
• The Form I-140 approval notice
• The approved labor certification
• USCIS or attorney correspondence regarding the petition

EB-5 Cases

For an EB-5 case, the priority date is generally based on the filing date of Form I-526 or Form I-526E.

Certain EB-5 investors may qualify to retain the priority date from a previously approved EB-5 petition when filing a new petition. Priority-date retention is subject to specific statutory and regulatory requirements and should be reviewed carefully before relying on an earlier date.

What If You Cannot Find Your Priority Date?

If the priority date is not immediately available:

1. Review all USCIS receipt and approval notices.
2. Check your USCIS online account.
3. Review National Visa Center notices.
4. Contact the employer, relative, or attorney who filed the petition.
5. Request a copy of the petition receipt or approval notice.
6. Confirm that the date belongs to the correct petition and immigrant category.

USCIS states that prospective immigrants can generally find their priority dates on the Form I-797 notice issued for the petition filed on their behalf. o Check If Your Priority Date Is Current

Use the following process each month:

1. Find your priority date. Check the applicable petition, labor certification, or Form I-797 notice.
2. Identify your preference category. Determine whether your case is F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4, EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, or EB-5.
3. Identify your chargeability area. This is usually your country of birth.
4. Open the current Department of State Visa Bulletin.
5. Determine which chart applies. Adjustment applicants must check the separate USCIS monthly filing-chart announcement. Consular processing applicants should follow Department of State and NVC instructions.
6. Find your category’s row. Locate the correct family-sponsored or employment-based preference category.
7. Find your country’s column. Use the separately listed country column when applicable. Otherwise, use “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed.”
8. Read the cell where the row and column meet. It will show a date, “C,” or “U.”
9. Compare the dates. Your priority date must be earlier than the listed cutoff date.
10. Check again before filing. A date can change between months, and filing under the wrong chart may result in rejection.

Examples

“My priority date is March 1, 2020. The Final Action Date shows February 1, 2020. I am not yet current.”

“My priority date is March 1, 2020. The Final Action Date for my category and country shows April 1, 2020. I am current.”

“The cell shows C. I am current regardless of my priority date.”

“My priority date and the cutoff date are both March 1, 2020. I am not current because my date is not earlier than the cutoff date.”

You Know Your Date Is Current. What Are the Next Steps?

Becoming current is not the finish line. It is the point at which you may be able to take the next procedural step.

What happens next depends primarily on whether you are applying from inside or outside the United States.

Inside the U.S.: Adjustment of Status

An eligible applicant inside the United States may be able to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

Before filing, confirm:

• USCIS has authorized the chart you are using for that month.
• Your priority date is earlier than the applicable cutoff.
• You are eligible to adjust status inside the United States.
• Your underlying immigrant petition remains valid.
• A visa number is available in the correct category.
• You have the required supporting documents and filing fees.
• No inadmissibility issue or adjustment bar applies.

Depending on the circumstances and current filing rules, an adjustment package may include:

• Form I-485
• Medical examination documentation
• Identity and civil documents
• Evidence of lawful admission or parole
• The immigrant petition approval or concurrent petition
• Form I-864 in applicable family-sponsored cases
• Applications for employment authorization or advance parole, when available and appropriate

A current priority date does not by itself establish adjustment eligibility. Unlawful status, unauthorized employment, prior immigration violations, criminal history, fraud, inadmissibility, or other issues can affect the case.

Outside the U.S.: Consular Processing

Applicants outside the United States generally complete immigrant visa processing through the National Visa Center and a U.S. embassy or consulate.

The process may include:

1. Receiving an NVC case number.
2. Paying the required fees.
3. Submitting Form DS-260.
4. Submitting civil documents.
5. Submitting financial sponsorship documents when required.
6. Becoming documentarily complete.
7. Waiting for visa availability and interview capacity.
8. Completing the medical examination.
9. Attending the immigrant visa interview.

A current Final Action Date does not always mean an interview will be scheduled immediately. The applicant must also be documentarily complete, and the embassy or consulate must have appointment capacity.

Tip: Have Your Documents Ready Before Your Date Becomes Current

Do not wait until the month your priority date becomes current to begin collecting documents.

The filing opportunity can be limited. A cutoff date may advance, remain unchanged, or retrogress the following month. Applicants who are unprepared may miss a period during which they could have filed.

Documents that may take time to obtain include:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage and divorce records
• Police certificates
• Certified court records
• Passports
• Employment records
• Tax returns
• Affidavit of Support evidence
• Certified translations
• Medical examination records
• Records relating to prior immigration violations

Preparing early also gives an attorney time to identify eligibility concerns before the filing window opens.

Retrogression: When Dates Move Backward

Visa Bulletin dates do not always move forward. They can remain unchanged or move backward through a process called retrogression.

Retrogression generally occurs when the Department of State determines that demand in a particular category or chargeability area is greater than the number of visas still available under the annual limit. The Department may move the cutoff date backward to control visa usage and avoid exceeding the statutory allocation. ple, imagine that the EB-2 India Final Action Date is January 1, 2013. An applicant with a July 1, 2012 priority date would be current.

If the next month’s cutoff retrogresses to January 1, 2012, that same applicant would no longer be current because July 1, 2012 is later than the new cutoff date.

The practical effect depends on the stage of the case.

• Form I-485 not yet filed: The applicant may lose the ability to file until the authorized filing date becomes current again.
• Form I-485 already filed: USCIS may continue processing parts of the application, but it generally cannot approve the green card until the Final Action Date becomes current again.
• Consular case: The NVC or consulate may delay interview scheduling or visa issuance until a visa number becomes available.
• Interview already completed: The case may still have to wait for a visa number before final approval or issuance.

Retrogression is a systemwide visa-allocation issue. It does not necessarily mean there is a problem with the individual petition or application.

Applicants affected by retrogression should:

• Monitor the Visa Bulletin every month.
• Keep contact information updated with USCIS or the NVC.
• Respond to government requests by the stated deadlines.
• Keep passports and civil documents valid.
• Speak with an attorney before traveling or changing employment.
• Confirm whether any pending work or travel authorization must be renewed.
• Request legal guidance if the underlying petition, job offer, family relationship, or eligibility circumstances change.

Where and When to Check the Visa Bulletin

The Department of State publishes a new Visa Bulletin every month. It is generally released during the month before it becomes effective, but there is no guaranteed release date.

Check the official Department of State Visa Bulletin page for:

• The current Visa Bulletin
• The upcoming Bulletin, when available
• Archived Bulletins
• Family-sponsored charts
• Employment-based charts
• Notes regarding expected movement or possible retrogression

Adjustment of status applicants must also check the USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Charts page to determine whether Chart A or Chart B applies to filings that month.

Significant forward movement, limited movement, retrogression, or unavailability can occur with little warning. Consistent monthly monitoring is the most reliable way to know when your filing opportunity has opened or whether a previously current date has moved backward.