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Visa Bulletin

September 2021

Your priority date must be earlier than the date shown.

Month
2026
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Family-SponsoredAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA-mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1Dec 1, 2014↑ 9 daysDec 1, 2014↑ 9 daysDec 1, 2014↑ 9 daysJan 15, 1999↑ 14 daysMar 1, 2012
F2ACurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
F2BSep 22, 2015Sep 22, 2015Sep 22, 2015Mar 15, 2000↑ 14 daysOct 22, 2011
F3Nov 22, 2008↑ 14 daysNov 22, 2008↑ 14 daysNov 22, 2008↑ 14 daysMay 15, 1997↑ 23 daysJun 8, 2002
F4Mar 22, 2007↑ 21 daysMar 22, 2007↑ 21 daysSep 15, 2005↑ 14 daysFeb 8, 1999↑ 17 daysAug 22, 2002↑ 14 days

Family-SponsoredAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1May 15, 2016May 15, 2016May 15, 2016Aug 1, 2000Apr 22, 2015
F2AJun 1, 2021Jun 1, 2021Jun 1, 2021Jun 1, 2021Jun 1, 2021
F2BSep 22, 2016Sep 22, 2016Sep 22, 2016Oct 1, 2000↑ 2 monthsOct 1, 2013
F3Aug 22, 2009Aug 22, 2009Aug 22, 2009Sep 8, 2000Oct 1, 2003
F4Oct 1, 2007Oct 1, 2007Jan 1, 2006↑ 1 monthJun 1, 1999↑ 24 daysFeb 1, 2004

Employment-basedAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornEL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURASINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINESVIETNAM
1stCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
2ndCurrentJul 1, 2018↑ 3 monthsCurrentSep 1, 2011↑ 3 monthsCurrentCurrentCurrent
3rdCurrentJan 8, 2019CurrentJan 1, 2014↑ 6 monthsCurrentCurrentCurrent
Other WorkersCurrentFeb 1, 2010↑ 1 monthCurrentJan 1, 2014↑ 6 monthsCurrentCurrentCurrent
4thCurrentCurrentMar 15, 2019↑ 2 monthsCurrentMar 1, 2020↑ 29 daysCurrentCurrent
Certain Religious WorkersCurrentCurrentMar 15, 2019↑ 2 monthsCurrentMar 1, 2020↑ 29 daysCurrentCurrent
5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5)CurrentNov 22, 2015↑ 7 daysCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
5th Regional Center (I5 and R5)UnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailable

Employment-basedAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA- mainland bornEL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURASINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
1stCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
2ndCurrentSep 1, 2018↑ 2 monthsCurrentDec 1, 2011CurrentCurrent
3rdCurrentJul 1, 2019CurrentMar 1, 2014↑ 28 daysCurrentCurrent
Other WorkersCurrentMay 1, 2010CurrentMar 1, 2014↑ 28 daysCurrentCurrent
4thCurrentCurrentMay 15, 2019↑ 2 monthsCurrentCurrentCurrent
Certain Religious WorkersCurrentCurrentMay 15, 2019↑ 2 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
AFRICACURRENT
ASIACURRENT
EUROPECURRENT
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS)CURRENT
OCEANIACURRENT
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEANCURRENT

RegionAll DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately
AFRICA2,675Except: Egypt 1,850
ASIA1,400Except: Iran 800 Nepal 900
EUROPE2,300
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS)3
OCEANIA190
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN275

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.