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Family-SponsoredAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA-mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1Oct 22, 2015Oct 22, 2015Oct 22, 2015Nov 22, 2004↑ 23 monthsMar 1, 2012
F2AJan 1, 2022↑ 1 monthJan 1, 2022↑ 1 monthJan 1, 2022↑ 1 monthApr 15, 2021↑ 1 monthJan 1, 2022↑ 1 month
F2BMay 1, 2016May 1, 2016May 1, 2016Jul 1, 2005↑ 5 monthsOct 22, 2011
F3Apr 15, 2010↑ 14 daysApr 15, 2010↑ 14 daysApr 15, 2010↑ 14 daysOct 22, 2000↑ 2 monthsSep 8, 2002
F4Aug 1, 2007Aug 1, 2007Mar 8, 2006↑ 7 daysMar 1, 2001↑ 7 daysFeb 1, 2004

Family-SponsoredAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1Sep 1, 2017Sep 1, 2017Sep 1, 2017Oct 1, 2005Apr 22, 2015
F2AJul 15, 2024Jul 15, 2024Jul 15, 2024Jul 15, 2024Jul 15, 2024
F2BJan 1, 2017Jan 1, 2017Jan 1, 2017Jul 1, 2006↑ 11 monthsOct 1, 2013
F3Apr 22, 2012↑ 10 monthsApr 22, 2012↑ 10 monthsApr 22, 2012↑ 10 monthsJun 15, 2001May 8, 2004
F4Mar 1, 2008Mar 1, 2008Aug 1, 2006↑ 2 monthsApr 30, 2001Jul 22, 2007↑ 12 months

Employment-basedAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
1stCurrentNov 8, 2022Feb 1, 2022CurrentCurrent
2ndMar 15, 2023Mar 22, 2020Jul 15, 2012Mar 15, 2023Mar 15, 2023
3rdNov 15, 2022Apr 1, 2020Nov 1, 2012Nov 15, 2022Nov 15, 2022
Other WorkersDec 1, 2020Jan 1, 2017Nov 1, 2012Dec 1, 2020Dec 1, 2020
4thJan 1, 2021Jan 1, 2021Jan 1, 2021Jan 1, 2021Jan 1, 2021
Certain Religious WorkersJan 1, 2021Jan 1, 2021Jan 1, 2021Jan 1, 2021Jan 1, 2021
5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5)CurrentJul 15, 2016Jan 1, 2022CurrentCurrent
5th Set Aside: Rural (20%)CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%)CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%)CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent

Employment-basedAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
1stCurrentJan 1, 2023Apr 15, 2022CurrentCurrent
2ndAug 1, 2023Oct 1, 2020Jan 1, 2013Aug 1, 2023Aug 1, 2023
3rdMar 1, 2023Nov 15, 2020Jun 8, 2013Mar 1, 2023Mar 1, 2023
Other WorkersMay 22, 2021Jan 1, 2018Jun 8, 2013May 22, 2021May 22, 2021
4thFeb 1, 2021Feb 1, 2021Feb 1, 2021Feb 1, 2021Feb 1, 2021
Certain Religious WorkersFeb 1, 2021Feb 1, 2021Feb 1, 2021Feb 1, 2021Feb 1, 2021
5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5)CurrentOct 1, 2016Apr 1, 2022CurrentCurrent
5th Set Aside: (Rural - 20%)CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment - 10%)CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure - 2%)CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent

RegionAll DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately
AFRICA15,000Except: Algeria 6,500 Egypt 8,250 Morocco 8,250
ASIA3,000Except: Iran 2,950 Nepal 2,950
EUROPE6,000Except: Russia 5,950 Uzbekistan 4,900
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS)2
OCEANIA500
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN825

RegionAll DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately
AFRICA15,000Except: Algeria 10,000 Egypt 10,000 Morocco 10,000
ASIA3,000Except: Iran 2,950 Nepal 2,950
EUROPE6,000Except: Russia 5,950 Uzbekistan 4,900
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS)5
OCEANIA550
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN825

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.