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Family-SponsoredAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA-mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1Mar 15, 2016Mar 15, 2016Mar 15, 2016Apr 22, 2005↑ 4 monthsJul 15, 2012
F2AJan 1, 2022Jan 1, 2022Jan 1, 2022May 15, 2021Jan 1, 2022
F2BJul 22, 2016Jul 22, 2016Jul 22, 2016Jan 1, 2006Feb 8, 2012↑ 17 days
F3Apr 1, 2011Apr 1, 2011Apr 1, 2011Jan 15, 2001Sep 22, 2003↑ 6 months
F4Jan 1, 2008↑ 5 monthsJan 1, 2008↑ 5 monthsJun 15, 2006Mar 15, 2001Jun 1, 2005↑ 5 months

Family-SponsoredAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1Sep 1, 2017Sep 1, 2017Sep 1, 2017Apr 1, 2006Apr 22, 2015
F2AFeb 1, 2025↑ 4 monthsFeb 1, 2025↑ 4 monthsFeb 1, 2025↑ 4 monthsFeb 1, 2025↑ 4 monthsFeb 1, 2025↑ 4 months
F2BJan 1, 2017Jan 1, 2017Jan 1, 2017Apr 1, 2007Oct 1, 2013
F3Jul 22, 2012Jul 22, 2012Jul 22, 2012Jun 15, 2001Sep 22, 2004
F4Jun 1, 2008↑ 2 monthsJun 1, 2008↑ 2 monthsOct 1, 2006Apr 30, 2001Jan 1, 2008

Employment-basedAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
1stCurrentNov 8, 2022Feb 15, 2022CurrentCurrent
2ndJun 22, 2023Oct 1, 2020Jan 1, 2013Jun 22, 2023Jun 22, 2023
3rdJan 1, 2023Nov 1, 2020Apr 15, 2013↑ 14 daysJan 1, 2023Jan 1, 2023
Other WorkersMay 22, 2021Apr 1, 2017Apr 15, 2013↑ 14 daysMay 22, 2021May 22, 2021
4thUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailable
Certain Religious WorkersUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailable
5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU)CurrentJan 22, 2014May 1, 2019↓ 6 monthsCurrentCurrent
5th Set Aside: Rural (20%, including NR, RR)CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%, including NH, RH)CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%, including RI)CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent

Employment-basedAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
1stCurrentJan 1, 2023Apr 15, 2022CurrentCurrent
2ndAug 1, 2023Nov 1, 2020Feb 1, 2013Aug 1, 2023Aug 1, 2023
3rdMar 1, 2023Nov 15, 2020Jun 8, 2013Mar 1, 2023Mar 1, 2023
Other WorkersJun 22, 2021Jan 1, 2018Jun 8, 2013Jun 22, 2021Jun 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: NR, RR - 20%)CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment: NH, RH - 10%)CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure: RI - 2%)CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent

RegionAll DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately
AFRICA35,000Except: Algeria 34,500 Egypt 32,500 Morocco 30,000
ASIA6,500Except: Iran 6,450 Nepal 6,450
EUROPE16,000Except: Russia 15,950 Uzbekistan 9,000
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS)20
OCEANIA1,550
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN2,250

RegionAll DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately
AFRICA42,500Except: Algeria 42,250 Egypt 36,250 Morocco 30,000
ASIA8,250Except: Iran 8,000 Nepal 8,000
EUROPE17,500Except: Russia 17,450 Uzbekistan 10,250
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS)20
OCEANIA1,550
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN2,300

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.