The visa bulletin explained: priority dates and final action dates
Each month the State Department publishes the visa bulletin, which sets a cutoff date for every green card category and country. If your priority date is earlier than the date for your category and country of birth, you can move forward. The table shows the chart USCIS accepts for I-485 filing this month.
| Category | All other countries | China (mainland-born) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 01JUL24 | 01JUL24 | C | C |
| EB-2 | 15MAR26 | 01JAN23 | 15JAN15 | 15MAR26 | 15MAR26 |
| EB-3 | 01AUG24 | 01APR24 | 15JAN15 | 01AUG24 | 01JAN24 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | 01JUL22 | 01OCT20 | 15JAN15 | 01JUL22 | 01JUN22 |
Priority date
For PERM cases, your priority date is the date your PERM was filed. For NIW and EB-1, it's the date USCIS received the I-140.
Final action dates and dates for filing
The bulletin has two charts. Final action dates control when a green card can be approved. Dates for filing are usually later and may let you file your I-485 earlier. USCIS announces each month which chart applies to adjustment of status.
Why India and China wait longer
No single country can use more than 7% of the employment-based green cards in a year. Because demand from India and China is far higher, their cutoff dates are years behind other countries.
This page explains public information and is not legal advice.