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Family-SponsoredAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA-mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1Jul 15, 2016Jul 15, 2016Jul 15, 2016Apr 22, 2005Jul 15, 2012
F2ASep 1, 2022Sep 1, 2022Sep 1, 2022Feb 1, 2022Sep 1, 2022
F2BOct 15, 2016Oct 15, 2016Oct 15, 2016Apr 1, 2007↑ 3 monthsMay 1, 2012↑ 16 days
F3Aug 1, 2011Aug 1, 2011Aug 1, 2011Feb 1, 2001May 1, 2004↑ 5 months
F4Jan 1, 2008Jan 1, 2008Nov 1, 2006Mar 15, 2001Jan 1, 2006

Family-SponsoredAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1Sep 1, 2017Sep 1, 2017Sep 1, 2017Jun 1, 2006Apr 22, 2015
F2AJun 1, 2025↑ 2 monthsJun 1, 2025↑ 2 monthsJun 1, 2025↑ 2 monthsJun 1, 2025↑ 2 monthsJun 1, 2025↑ 2 months
F2BJan 1, 2017Jan 1, 2017Jan 1, 2017Apr 1, 2008Oct 1, 2013
F3Jul 22, 2012Jul 22, 2012Jul 22, 2012Jun 15, 2001May 1, 2005↑ 5 months
F4Jan 1, 2009Jan 1, 2009Dec 1, 2006Apr 30, 2001Jan 1, 2008

Employment-basedAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
1stCurrentNov 15, 2022Feb 15, 2022CurrentCurrent
2ndSep 1, 2023Dec 15, 2020Jan 1, 2013Sep 1, 2023Sep 1, 2023
3rdApr 1, 2023Dec 1, 2020May 22, 2013Apr 1, 2023Feb 8, 2023
Other WorkersJul 8, 2021May 1, 2017May 22, 2013Jul 8, 2021Jul 8, 2021
4thUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailable
Certain Religious WorkersUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailable
5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU)CurrentDec 8, 2015Nov 15, 2019CurrentCurrent
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
2ndNov 15, 2023Jan 1, 2021Feb 1, 2013Nov 15, 2023Nov 15, 2023
3rdMay 1, 2023Dec 22, 2020Jun 8, 2013May 1, 2023May 1, 2023
Other WorkersJul 22, 2021Jan 1, 2018Jun 8, 2013Jul 22, 2021Jul 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
AFRICA58,500Except: Algeria 54,500 Egypt 52,000 Morocco 40,500
ASIA14,500Except: Iran 11,000 Nepal 14,450
EUROPE23,000Except: Russia 22,950 Uzbekistan 15,000
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS)Current
OCEANIA1,775
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN2,825

RegionAll DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately
AFRICA17,500Except: Algeria 14,500 Egypt 16,000
ASIA10,000Except: Nepal 6,000
EUROPE7,750
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS)20
OCEANIA1,100
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN1,850

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.