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Visa Bulletin

August 2016

Your priority date must be earlier than the date shown.

Month
2021
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Family-SponsoredAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA-mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1May 22, 2009↑ 2 monthsMay 22, 2009↑ 2 monthsMay 22, 2009↑ 2 monthsMar 8, 1995Mar 22, 2005↑ 2 months
F2ANov 15, 2014Nov 15, 2014Nov 15, 2014Sep 1, 2014Nov 15, 2014
F2BJan 8, 2010↑ 1 monthJan 8, 2010↑ 1 monthJan 8, 2010↑ 1 monthSep 8, 1995Sep 15, 2005↑ 2 months
F3Dec 1, 2004Dec 1, 2004Dec 1, 2004Oct 22, 1994Mar 15, 1994↑ 14 days
F4Sep 15, 2003↑ 7 daysJan 1, 2003Jan 1, 2001Apr 15, 1997Feb 1, 1993↑ 1 month

Family-SponsoredAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1Jan 1, 2010↑ 3 monthsJan 1, 2010↑ 3 monthsJan 1, 2010↑ 3 monthsApr 1, 1995Dec 22, 2005↑ 4 months
F2ANov 22, 2015↑ 1 monthNov 22, 2015↑ 1 monthNov 22, 2015↑ 1 monthNov 22, 2015↑ 1 monthNov 22, 2015↑ 1 month
F2BFeb 8, 2011↑ 2 monthsFeb 8, 2011↑ 2 monthsFeb 8, 2011↑ 2 monthsMay 22, 1996↑ 7 daysFeb 1, 2006↑ 1 month
F3Aug 22, 2005↑ 21 daysAug 22, 2005↑ 21 daysAug 22, 2005↑ 21 daysMay 1, 1995Aug 1, 1995
F4Jun 15, 2004↑ 1 monthJun 15, 2004↑ 1 monthMay 1, 2004Jun 1, 1998Jul 15, 1993↑ 3 months

Employment-basedAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornEL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURASINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
1stCurrentJan 1, 2010No longer currentCurrentJan 1, 2010No longer currentCurrentCurrent
2ndFeb 1, 2014No longer currentJan 1, 2010Feb 1, 2014No longer currentNov 15, 2004↑ 14 daysFeb 1, 2014No longer currentFeb 1, 2014No longer current
3rdMar 15, 2016↑ 14 daysJan 1, 2010Mar 15, 2016↑ 14 daysNov 8, 2004↑ 17 daysMar 15, 2016↑ 14 daysMay 15, 2009↑ 3 months
Other WorkersMar 15, 2016↑ 14 daysJan 1, 2004Mar 15, 2016↑ 14 daysNov 8, 2004↑ 17 daysMar 15, 2016↑ 14 daysMay 15, 2009↑ 3 months
4thCurrentCurrentJan 1, 2010Jan 1, 2010No longer currentJan 1, 2010Current
Certain Religious WorkersCurrentCurrentJan 1, 2010Jan 1, 2010No longer currentJan 1, 2010Current
5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5)CurrentFeb 15, 2014CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
5th Regional Center (I5 and R5)CurrentFeb 15, 2014CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent

Employment-basedAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
1stCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
2ndCurrentJun 1, 2013Jul 1, 2009CurrentCurrent
3rdCurrentMay 1, 2015Jul 1, 2005CurrentJan 1, 2013↑ 3 years
Other WorkersCurrentAug 1, 2009Jul 1, 2005CurrentJan 1, 2013↑ 3 years
4thCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
Certain Religious WorkersCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5)CurrentMay 1, 2015CurrentCurrentCurrent
5th Regional Center (I5 and R5)CurrentMay 1, 2015CurrentCurrentCurrent

RegionAll DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately
AFRICACURRENT
ASIACURRENTExcept: Nepal: 7,100
EUROPECURRENT
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS)CURRENT
OCEANIACURRENT
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEANCURRENT

RegionAll DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately
AFRICACURRENT
ASIACURRENT
EUROPECURRENT
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS)CURRENT
OCEANIACURRENT
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEANCURRENT

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.