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Visa Bulletin

October 2020

Your priority date must be earlier than the date shown.

Month
2016
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Family-SponsoredAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA-mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1Sep 15, 2014Sep 15, 2014Sep 15, 2014Jan 8, 1998Dec 15, 2011
F2ACurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
F2BJul 8, 2015Jul 8, 2015Jul 8, 2015Apr 8, 1999Aug 1, 2011
F3Jun 15, 2008Jun 15, 2008Jun 15, 2008Aug 1, 1996Feb 15, 2002
F4Sep 22, 2006Sep 22, 2006Mar 8, 2005Jun 22, 1998Jan 1, 2002

Family-SponsoredAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1Jul 22, 2015Jul 22, 2015Jul 22, 2015Feb 22, 2000Oct 8, 2012
F2AAug 1, 2020Aug 1, 2020Aug 1, 2020Aug 1, 2020Aug 1, 2020
F2BMay 1, 2016May 1, 2016May 1, 2016Dec 1, 1999Apr 1, 2012
F3Jun 1, 2009Jun 1, 2009Jun 1, 2009Aug 15, 2000Dec 22, 2002
F4Sep 15, 2007Sep 15, 2007Nov 22, 2005Apr 22, 1999Sep 1, 2002

Employment-basedAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornEL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURASINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINESVIETNAM
1stCurrentJun 1, 2018↑ 3 monthsCurrentJun 1, 2018↑ 3 monthsCurrentCurrentCurrent
2ndCurrentMar 1, 2016↑ 2 monthsCurrentSep 1, 2009↑ 2 monthsCurrentCurrentCurrent
3rdCurrentNow currentJul 1, 2017↑ 4 monthsCurrentNow currentJan 15, 2010↑ 3 monthsCurrentNow currentCurrentNow currentCurrentNow current
Other WorkersCurrentNow currentDec 1, 2008↑ 4 monthsCurrentNow currentJan 15, 2010↑ 3 monthsCurrentNow currentCurrentNow currentCurrentNow current
4thCurrentCurrentAug 1, 2017↑ 4 monthsCurrentSep 1, 2018↑ 3 monthsCurrentCurrent
Certain Religious WorkersUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailable
5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5)CurrentAug 15, 2015CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentAug 1, 2017
5th Regional Center (I5 and R5)UnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailable

Employment-basedAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornEL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURASINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
1stCurrentSep 1, 2020↑ 2 yr 2 moCurrentSep 1, 2020↑ 2 yr 2 moCurrentCurrent
2ndCurrentOct 1, 2016↑ 2 monthsCurrentMay 15, 2011↑ 21 monthsCurrentCurrent
3rdCurrentNow currentJun 1, 2018↑ 13 monthsCurrentNow currentJan 1, 2015↑ 4 yr 11 moCurrentNow currentCurrentNow current
Other WorkersCurrentNow currentOct 1, 2008CurrentNow currentJan 1, 2015↑ 4 yr 11 moCurrentNow currentCurrentNow current
4thCurrentCurrentFeb 1, 2018↑ 4 monthsCurrentCurrentCurrent
Certain Religious WorkersCurrentCurrentFeb 1, 2018↑ 4 monthsCurrentCurrentCurrent
5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5)CurrentDec 15, 2015CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
5th Regional Center (I5 and R5)CurrentDec 15, 2015CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent

RegionAll DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately
AFRICA2,900Except: Egypt 2,700
ASIA1,600Except: Iran 1,000 Nepal 1,050
EUROPE2,500
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS)2
OCEANIA250
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN350

RegionAll DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately
AFRICA5,100Except: Egypt 3,300
ASIA2,800Except: Iran 1,300 Nepal 2,700
EUROPE4,800
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS)3
OCEANIA350
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN475

Reading this: your priority date must be earlier than the date shown for your category and country of chargeability - the country you are charged to, which is usually your country of birth, not your nationality or where you live now. Your priority date is on your receipt notice: for a family petition it is the day the petition was filed, and for most employment cases the day the labour certification or the petition was filed.

Two tables, two jobs: Final Action Dates decide when a visa can actually be issued or a green card approved. Dates for Filing decide when you may send in your application. They move independently, and Dates for Filing are usually the later of the two. USCIS says each month which of the two applies to adjustment of status - being past the Dates for Filing cut-off does not mean a decision is close.

C and U: C is current - no cut-off, everyone in that category may proceed. U is unavailable - no visas at all in that category this month, whatever your priority date.

Movement is measured against the previous month - it describes what already happened. Cut-off dates can and do move backwards, and no figure here predicts next month.

Published by the Department of State. Confirm on travel.state.gov.

About the Visa Bulletin

What is a priority date?

The date that holds your place in line for a green card with a yearly limit. For most family cases it is the date USCIS received the I-130. For most employment cases it is the date the labor certification was filed, or the I-140 if none was needed. It is printed on your I-797 notice.

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

Final Action Dates say when a green card can be issued. Dates for Filing are earlier and say when you may submit your application. Each month USCIS says which of the two charts it accepts for adjustment of status inside the US.

What do C and U mean in the chart?

C means current: there is no wait in that category this month, so any priority date qualifies. U means unavailable: no visas can be issued in that category this month.

Can a date move backward?

Yes. When demand is higher than the visas left for the year, the State Department can move a cutoff date back. This is called retrogression, and it is most common near the end of the fiscal year, which ends on September 30.