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Visa Bulletin and Priority Dates — Final Action Dates, Dates for Filing, and When You Can File Form I-485

Visa Bulletin

The Visa Bulletin, issued by the DOS, details the availability of immigrant visas. All beneficiaries, with some exceptions, of immigrant petitions cannot file an application for permanent residency unless their priority date is current and applications cannot be granted until an immigrant visa number is assigned to the application. Visa Bulletins are updated on a monthly basis. Preference categories have been set for both family and employment based applications.

Family Based Preference Categories

First: (F1) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents

A. (F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

B. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents

Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

Employment Based Preference Categories

First: Priority Workers

Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability

Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers

Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants

Fifth: Employment Creation

Current and past visa bulletin can be found here.

Visa Bulletin and Priority Dates — Final Action Dates, Dates for Filing, and When You Can File Form I-485

People often inquire about this issue as Visa Bulletin, USCIS Visa Bulletin, priority date, current priority date, Final Action Dates, Dates for Filing, visa availability, or when can I file I-485. The Visa Bulletin is the monthly system used to show when immigrant visa numbers are available in family-based and employment-based preference categories. For many applicants, the most important question is not just what the Visa Bulletin says, but whether the priority date is current and whether Form I-485 can be filed now.

Visa Bulletin issues often affect family-sponsored green card cases, employment-based green card cases, adjustment of status timing, immigrant visa processing, and long-term green card strategy.

This page focuses on the Visa Bulletin, priority dates, visa availability, Final Action Dates, Dates for Filing, and when family-based or employment-based applicants may be able to move forward with adjustment of status or immigrant visa processing.

What the Visa Bulletin means

The Visa Bulletin is the monthly system used to show whether an immigrant visa number is available in a family-based or employment-based preference category. It matters most in cases where visa numbers are limited and a person cannot move forward until the priority date becomes current under the applicable chart.

What is a priority date?

A priority date is the date that controls a person’s place in line in many family-based and employment-based green card categories. In some cases, the priority date comes from the filing of the immigrant petition. In other cases, it may be tied to an earlier step in the green card process.

When is a priority date current?

A priority date is current when it reaches the relevant date shown in the applicable Visa Bulletin chart for the correct category and country of chargeability. If the category shows “C,” that generally means the category is current for that chart.

Final Action Dates

Final Action Dates usually show when a green card or immigrant visa may actually be approved in the category. This chart shows when a final decision can be made on permanent residence.

Dates for Filing

Dates for Filing usually show when a person may be allowed to move forward earlier by submitting the next step in the process, depending on the monthly filing guidance. This chart is especially important for people waiting to file Form I-485.

Family-based Visa Bulletin categories

The Visa Bulletin applies to family-sponsored preference categories where visa numbers are limited. These categories often involve waiting periods, movement from month to month, and priority-date tracking over time.

Employment-based Visa Bulletin categories

The Visa Bulletin also applies to employment-based preference categories where visa numbers are limited. These categories often affect when employment-based applicants can file Form I-485 or move forward with immigrant visa processing.

Country of chargeability

Visa Bulletin movement may also depend on the person’s country of chargeability. This is why some applicants in the same category may have different waiting times depending on the country listed for the case.

Visa availability and Form I-485

One of the biggest practical questions is whether a visa is available for adjustment of status. In many categories, Form I-485 cannot be filed unless the case fits the applicable USCIS monthly filing guidance and the correct Visa Bulletin chart.

Visa Bulletin and consular processing

The Visa Bulletin also matters for immigrant visa processing outside the United States. Even when a person is not filing Form I-485, visa availability can still control when the case is allowed to move forward.

Why monthly movement matters

Many people check the Visa Bulletin every month because even small changes in the chart can affect whether a case may finally move forward. For some applicants, the most important issue is whether the category advanced, stayed the same, or retrogressed.

Common Visa Bulletin questions

Common questions include:

What is my priority date?
Is my priority date current?
What is the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing?
When can I file Form I-485?
Why is my category not moving?
Why did the Visa Bulletin move backward?
Does the Visa Bulletin affect family-based cases?
Does the Visa Bulletin affect employment-based cases?

Frequently asked questions about the Visa Bulletin

What is the Visa Bulletin?

The Visa Bulletin is the monthly system used to show when immigrant visa numbers are available in family-based and employment-based preference categories.

What is a priority date?

A priority date is the date that usually controls a person’s place in line in many family-based and employment-based green card categories.

When is a priority date current?

A priority date is current when it reaches the relevant date shown in the applicable Visa Bulletin chart for the correct category and country of chargeability.

What is the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing?

Final Action Dates usually relate to when a green card or immigrant visa may actually be approved. Dates for Filing usually relate to when the next filing step may be allowed earlier, depending on the month and the type of case.

Can I file Form I-485 when my priority date is current?

In many cases, maybe, but the answer also depends on the monthly USCIS filing guidance and which chart USCIS allows applicants to use for that month.

Does the Visa Bulletin affect family-based cases?

Yes. The Visa Bulletin affects many family-sponsored preference cases where visa numbers are limited.

Does the Visa Bulletin affect employment-based cases?

Yes. The Visa Bulletin affects many employment-based preference cases where visa numbers are limited.

What does retrogression mean in the Visa Bulletin?

Retrogression means the Visa Bulletin moves backward instead of forward, which can delay filing, final approval, or both.

Does a current priority date mean immediate approval?

No. A current priority date is important, but the case may still depend on the correct chart, the filing stage, visa availability rules, and whether the case is ready for the next step.

Why do people check the Visa Bulletin every month?

People check the Visa Bulletin every month because movement in the bulletin can affect when a family-based or employment-based case may move forward.

Thousands of Approved Cases

Scroll through fifty recent approval notices below or click here to view thousands.

Customer Testimonials

Real Testimonials from Past Clients

Impressed beyond infinity

I liked Peter's calm, honest, and balanced approach to our very difficult immigration problem. He is very organized and responsive. He filed both of our cases with the DOS and USCIS promptly and the process went without a hitch. He is very intelligent and knowledgeable, but your success will also depend on your willingness to provide as much information and detail as possible. Peter will be able to organize it in the most effective way. We've just learned that our case was approved. Hoorah!

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Green Card through NIW

Went very smoothly. Very fast responses to my inquiries. Always sent me an email when a status would change. Peter sent me a list of items that I needed to submit to him, and after that he took over and managed everything in a timely manner. I never needed a lawyer before, and this was a very easy first experience.

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