The Visa Bulletin, explained
Some green card categories have more applicants than visas each year. The Visa Bulletin shows who can move forward each month.
Why a waiting line exists
U.S. law limits the number of green cards in most family and employment categories each year, with a cap per country of birth. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are not subject to these limits and do not wait for the bulletin.
Your priority date
Your priority date is your place in line. It is usually the date your petition was filed, or the date a labor certification was filed for employment cases. It appears on the approval or receipt notice.
Reading the charts
The bulletin has two charts for each category and country:
- Final Action Dates: when a green card can be approved. Your priority date must be earlier than the date shown.
- Dates for Filing: when you may submit the final paperwork, if USCIS or the Department of State says this chart applies that month.
“C” means current: visas are available for every priority date in that category. “U” means unavailable.
Tell us where you are. We will show you the way forward.
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