Introduction
Use the U.S. Visa Bulletin to determine whether your green card application can move forward.
To check your status:
- Find your priority date (on your Form I-130 or Form I-140 notice)
- Identify your visa category (family-based or employment-based)
- Use the correct Visa Bulletin chart for that month
- Compare your date with the published cutoff date
- If your date is earlier (or the category shows Current (C)), your case may move forward
The Visa Bulletin mainly applies to family preference and employment-based green card categories. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens generally do not need to track the Visa Bulletin because visas are immediately available.
What Is the Visa Bulletin?
The U.S. Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication released by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) that shows when immigrant visas (green cards) become available.
Because the U.S. government limits the number of green cards issued each year by visa category and country, applicants are placed in a waiting line based on their priority date. The Visa Bulletin helps applicants track that line and determine when they may file or receive approval.
The bulletin includes two important charts:
- Final Action Dates → When a green card can be approved and issued
- Dates for Filing → When applicants may submit their application earlier
Applicants inside the United States should also check which chart USCIS allows for Adjustment of Status filing each month.
You can use our Monthly Visa Bulletin Guide to view the latest updates and cutoff dates.
Who Needs to Check the Visa Bulletin
Not every green card applicant needs to follow the U.S. Visa Bulletin. You should check the Visa Bulletin if you are:
- Applying for a family-based green card under a preference category (F1–F4)
- Applying for an employment-based green card (EB-1 to EB-5)
- Completing consular processing through a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States
- Filing or preparing to file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) inside the United States
You generally do not need to check the Visa Bulletin if you are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, because immigrant visas are immediately available in these categories:
- Spouse of a U.S. citizen
- Unmarried child under age 21 of a U.S. citizen
- Parent of a U.S. citizen (if the U.S. citizen is age 21 or older)
However, applicants should still confirm current USCIS filing requirements before submitting their application.
Key Visa Bulletin Terms You Should Know
Before reading the Visa Bulletin, understand these common terms. These definitions will help you compare dates correctly and determine whether your green card application may move forward.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Priority Date | The date USCIS received your immigrant petition (Form I-130 or Form I-140). This date determines your place in line for a green card. |
| Preference Category | The immigrant visa category you are applying under, such as family-based or employment-based. |
| Country of Chargeability | Usually, your country of birth. Visa availability may vary because annual limits apply by country. |
| Cut-Off Date | The date listed in the Visa Bulletin. If your priority date is earlier than the cutoff date, your case may move forward. |
| C (Current) | Visa numbers are immediately available for eligible applicants. |
| U (Unavailable) | No immigrant visa numbers are available in that category for the current month. |
| Retrogression | When cutoff dates move backward because visa demand exceeds available numbers. |
What Are the Two Charts in the Visa Bulletin and How Do You Read Them?
Each month, the U.S. Visa Bulletin includes two charts for both family-based and employment-based green card categories. These charts help determine whether you can file your application or receive green card approval.
Chart A – Final Action Dates
This chart shows when a green card (immigrant visa) can be approved and issued.
If your priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff date, your case may move forward for final approval or visa issuance.
Chart B – Dates for Filing
This chart shows when you may submit your green card application before a visa number becomes available.
Using this chart allows applicants to begin preparing documents and move earlier in the process.
Which Chart Should You Use?
For applicants inside the United States, USCIS decides each month whether Adjustment of Status applicants must use:
- Chart A – Final Action Dates, or
- Chart B – Dates for Filing
Always check the current USCIS filing instructions before submitting Form I-485.
Quick rule:
- Chart A → Approval stage
- Chart B → Filing stage
Each month, USCIS decides whether applicants may use Chart A or Chart B for Adjustment of Status filings.
Tip: You can check which chart USCIS is using each month on the USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Charts page.
Step-by-Step: How to Read the Visa Bulletin
Now that you understand the key terms and charts, follow these steps to determine whether your priority date may move forward.
Step 1 – Identify Your Visa Category and Country
Determine:
- Whether your case is family-based or employment-based
- Your preference category (for example, F2A, F4, EB-2, or EB-3)
- Your country of chargeability (usually your country of birth)
Step 2 – Find Your Priority Date
Locate your priority date on your:
- Form I-130 approval notice (family-based), or
- Form I-140 approval notice (employment-based)
Your priority date determines your place in the green card waiting line.
Step 3 – Check the Latest Visa Bulletin and USCIS Filing Instructions
Open the latest Visa Bulletin and select the chart that applies to your case.
If you are applying inside the United States through Adjustment of Status (Form I-485), USCIS decides each month whether applicants should use:
- Final Action Dates, or
- Dates for Filing
Step 4 – Compare Your Priority Date With the Cutoff Date
Find your category and country in the correct chart.
- If your priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff date, your case may move forward.
- If your category shows Current (C), visas are immediately available.
- If your priority date is later than the cutoff date, continue monitoring future bulletins.
Step 5 – Monitor the Visa Bulletin Each Month
Visa Bulletin dates update monthly and may:
- Move forward
- Stay the same
- Retrogress (move backward)
Example: Reading the Visa Bulletin in Action
Suppose you filed an F4 family-based petition (brother or sister of a U.S. citizen) for your sister in India with a priority date of April 1, 2010.
If the current Visa Bulletin shows F4 India: February 1, 2010:
- Your priority date (April 1, 2010) is later than the cutoff date
- Your case is not yet current
- You must continue waiting until the cutoff date advances
Once the cutoff date reaches or passes your priority date, your case may move forward to the next stage of processing.
How Do Family-Based Visa Categories Work?
If you’re applying for a green card through a family member, your case is assigned to a family preference category. You will use this category when checking the Visa Bulletin.
| Code | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | First Preference | Unmarried adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens |
| F2A | Second Preference (A) | Spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of green card holders |
| F2B | Second Preference (B) | Unmarried adult children (21 or older) of green card holders |
| F3 | Third Preference | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens |
| F4 | Fourth Preference | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens |
When reading the Visa Bulletin, first identify your family preference category, then compare your priority date with the applicable cutoff date for your country.
Processing times and visa availability may vary significantly by country because annual visa limits apply.
How Do Employment-Based Visa Categories Work?
Employment-based green cards are divided into preference categories based on the applicant’s qualifications and type of employment sponsorship.
| Code | Category | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Priority Workers | Individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, and certain executives |
| EB-2 | Advanced Degree Professionals | Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability |
| EB-3 | Skilled Workers & Professionals | Skilled workers, professionals, and certain other workers |
| EB-4 | Special Immigrants | Religious workers and other eligible special immigrant groups |
| EB-5 | Investors | Investors creating qualifying U.S. jobs |
To read the Visa Bulletin correctly, identify your employment category, locate your country of chargeability, and compare your priority date with the published cutoff date.
Employment-based waiting times can differ based on visa demand and annual category limits.
What Happens When Your Priority Date Becomes Current?
When your priority date becomes current, it means your case may move forward to the next stage of the green card process, depending on your category and filing eligibility.
What happens next depends on where you are applying:
- Inside the United States: You may become eligible to file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) or continue processing if already filed.
- Outside the United States: Your case may move to the National Visa Center (NVC) for consular processing.
At that stage, applicants may need to:
- Complete Form DS-260 (if processing outside the U.S.)
- Submit supporting civil and financial documents
- Complete a medical examination (if required)
- Attend an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate
What Is Visa Retrogression and Why Does It Happen?
Visa retrogression happens when demand for immigrant visas becomes higher than the number of visas available, causing the government to move cutoff dates backward.
Retrogression commonly occurs:
- Near the end of the fiscal year (July–September)
- In categories with high demand
- In countries with larger visa backlogs, such as India, Mexico, and the Philippines
When a new fiscal year begins in October, additional visa numbers become available and dates may begin moving forward again.
Retrogression can delay filing eligibility or approval, but it does not reset your original priority date.
Tips to Stay Updated and Prepared
Because the Visa Bulletin changes monthly, staying prepared can help you avoid delays.
- Check the Visa Bulletin each month (typically around the middle of the month)
- Review current USCIS filing chart instructions before submitting applications
- Keep your immigration notices and priority date information accessible
- Prepare supporting documents in advance
- Monitor historical movement patterns to understand possible wait times
- Seek legal guidance if your case involves complex timing or eligibility questions
For the latest movement and category updates, see our Monthly Visa Bulletin Guide.
FAQs on How to Read the Visa Bulletin
1. What does “Current (C)” mean in the Visa Bulletin?
“Current (C)” means immigrant visa numbers are immediately available in that category. Eligible applicants may be able to move forward with filing or approval depending on USCIS filing guidance and case status.
2. How often does the Visa Bulletin update?
The U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin once each month, typically around the middle of the month.
3. What if my priority date is current but my case hasn’t moved?
A current priority date does not always mean immediate approval. Processing timelines can vary depending on USCIS or National Visa Center (NVC) processing, document completion, and case eligibility.
4. Can I lose my priority date?
In most cases, your priority date remains the same even if visa retrogression occurs. However, exceptions may apply depending on the petition type or immigration category.
5. How do I know if my priority date is current?
Compare your priority date with the cutoff date shown in the correct Visa Bulletin chart for your category and country. If your date is earlier than the listed cutoff date (or the category is marked Current), your case may move forward.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how to read the U.S. Visa Bulletin can help you track your green card timeline, understand visa availability, and prepare for the next stage of your immigration process.
By identifying your category, checking your priority date, and using the correct chart each month, you can make more informed decisions and avoid unnecessary delays.
For the latest cutoff dates and monthly movement updates, visit our Monthly Visa Bulletin Guide.
Ready to Move Forward With Your Green Card Application?
Understanding the Visa Bulletin is the first step. Once your priority date becomes current and you meet filing requirements, you may be eligible to submit Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) or continue with the next stage of your green card process.
Check your eligibility and get guided support with your immigration application.
