Visa Bulletin
The State Department Visa Bulletin determines whether you can apply for permanent residence based on your priority date. It is updated monthly.
What Is the Visa Bulletin and Why Does It Matter?
The Annual Cap Problem
Congress limits the number of immigrant visas per year by country. When demand exceeds supply, a 'waiting line' forms. The Visa Bulletin publishes monthly which is the oldest date in the queue that can move forward that month.
Who Needs the Bulletin?
Primarily people in family preference (F1-F4) and employment-based (EB-1 through EB-5) categories who are not an immediate relative (spouse or unmarried child under 21) of a U.S. citizen. Immediate relatives have no annual cap.
Key Terms for Reading the Bulletin
Priority Date
This is the date USCIS or the Department of Labor received your petition (I-130, I-140, etc.). It is your 'position in line.' The older the date, the closer you are to receiving your visa.
Final Action Date
The date up to which USCIS can issue a visa that month. If your priority date IS EARLIER than the final action date, you can receive your visa or adjust status. 'Current' (C) means immediately available.
Date for Filing
A second table in the bulletin that allows filing the I-485 (adjustment of status) BEFORE the final action date is reached, if USCIS authorizes it that month. It does not guarantee approval — only allows filing.
How to Read the Bulletin: Practical Example
Suppose you have an approved I-130 petition in category F2A with a priority date of January 1, 2021.
- 1Find table 'A' or 'Final Action Dates' in the bulletin
- 2Find the 'F2A' row and the column for your country of birth
- 3If the date in that cell is 01JAN21 or later, your date is 'current'
- 4If the date is after yours (more recent), you are still waiting
EXAMPLE BULLETIN CELL:
| Family | Todos | China | México |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01AUG16 | 01AUG16 | 01APR02 |
| F2A | C | C | C |
C = Current (immediately available). Earlier dates = more waiting.
Family Preference Categories (F1-F4)
Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
Age 21+. Very long waits for Mexico and Philippines.
Spouses and children of permanent residents
Children under 21. Generally the fastest category in F2.
Unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents (21+)
Significantly longer waits than F2A.
Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
One of the slowest categories. Decades-long waits for Mexico.
Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens
Extremely long waits. The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen.
Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens (not in the bulletin): Spouse, unmarried children under 21, and parents of adult U.S. citizens are 'immediate relatives.' There is no annual cap for this category, so they are always available and do not need to wait for the Visa Bulletin.
Employment-Based Categories (EB-1 through EB-5)
Workers with Extraordinary Ability / Outstanding Researchers / Executives
Generally 'Current' (immediately available) for most countries.
Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability
Includes NIW (National Interest Waiver). India and China have long waits.
Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
Three sub-categories. India has extremely long waits.
Special Immigrants (Religious Workers, Translators, etc.)
Also includes certain U.S. government employees abroad.
Immigrant Investors (Minimum $800,000 USD)
Requires investment in an enterprise creating 10 jobs. USCIS has regional center program.
Where to Check the Bulletin and Additional Resources
Official Visa Bulletin
Published monthly by the U.S. Department of State.
Open travel.state.gov →USCIS Filing Chart
USCIS publishes monthly whether you can use Chart A or B to file the I-485.
Open uscis.gov →Check Wait Time by Country
Third-party tool to visualize historical and projected dates by category and country.
VisaGrader.com →Is Your Priority Date Current? Let's Talk.
Our Georgia immigration attorneys help you prepare your I-485, I-864, and all required documents. Free consultation.