The Visa Bulletin in Three Minutes

Every month the State Department publishes the Visa Bulletin, which shows which family and employment petitions can move forward toward permanent residence. If you have an approved or pending petition, this bulletin sets your timeline.

Who It Applies to

The bulletin applies to preference categories, which have a limited number of visas each year. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents of citizens over 21) do not depend on the bulletin.

The most common family categories are:

• F1: unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of citizens.
• F2A: spouses and children under 21 of permanent residents.
• F2B: unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of permanent residents.
• F3: married sons and daughters of citizens.
• F4: brothers and sisters of citizens over 21.

Your Priority Date

Your priority date is generally the date the petition (for example, the I-130) was filed, and it appears on the receipt or approval notice. The bulletin lists a cutoff date for each category and country: if your priority date is earlier than the cutoff, your case can move forward.

• A “C” (current) means there is no wait in that category that month.
• A “U” (unavailable) means no visas are available that month.

The Two Charts

The bulletin has two charts for each category:

• Final Action Dates: when permanent residence can be approved.
• Dates for Filing: when you can start submitting your documents.

Each month USCIS announces which chart applies to people applying for residence from inside the U.S. with Form I-485.

Your Country Matters

Some countries have their own columns because demand is higher, such as Mexico, the Philippines, India and China. Look for the column for your country of birth.

You can see the current bulletin on the State Department’s official site. If you’re not sure which category your case is in or how this month’s bulletin affects you, book a consultation.