How to Read the Visa Bulletin: A Step-by-Step Guide for EB-1 and EB-2 Applicants 

Each month, the Visa Bulletin answers one question: can you move forward in your green card process or not?  The U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin sets the cutoff dates that determine which employment-based applicants are eligible to act in each month. For  EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition or EB-1A Extraordinary Ability applicants, knowing how to read the Visa Bulletin is an essential part of managing your green card process. This guide walks you through each part of the bulletin, step by step. 

What Is the Visa Bulletin? 

The Visa Bulletin is a monthly document published by the U.S. Department of State. It shows when employment-based green card applicants can move forward in their immigration process. 

The Visa Bulletin lists cutoff dates based on visa availability. Your eligibility depends on how your priority date compares to those dates. Once you understand how to read it, the process becomes much clearer. Applicants whose priority date falls before the cutoff can move forward. Everyone else waits. Strategic planning becomes key to minimizing delays and preparing for the next window.

What Is a Priority Date and How Do I Find Mine? 

Your priority date determines your place in line. It is the date United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received your immigrant petition.  You will compare this date to the cutoff dates in the Visa Bulletin to determine whether you can move forward. 

Here is where to find it, depending on how you filed: 

• EB-1A and EB-2 NIW self-petitioners: Your priority date appears on your Form I-797 receipt notice or your I-140 approval notice. It is listed as the “Received Date.” 
• PERM-based EB-2 applicants: Your priority date is the date your employer’s labor certification was accepted by the Department of Labor, not the date your I-140 was filed.  

What Is the Difference Between Final Action Dates and Date for Filing? 

 The Visa Bulletin includes two charts. Each one answers a different question: 

• Dates for Filing (Chart B): Can I submit my green card application? 

• Final Action Dates (Chart A): Can my green card be approved? 

For example, if your priority date is January 2026: 

• If the Dates for Filing chart shows March 2026, you may be able to file. 

• If the Final Action Date shows June 2024, your case cannot be approved yet. 

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How Does Your Country of Birth Affect Your Visa Bulletin Date? 

The Visa Bulletin is divided by country of birth, not citizenship or residence. This determines which column you should follow. 

Because each country is limited in the number of visas it can receive each year, some countries such as India and China have longer backlogs. When you read the bulletin, always identify your column based on your country of birth, not your current citizenship or the country where you live. 

In the April 2026 bulletin, for example, the EB-2 Final Action Date was Current for most countries, meaning applicants born in the Current countries with an approved petition could proceed immediately.  

If you are weighing which petition type gives you the best timeline, our comparison of EB-1A vs. EB-2 NIW is a useful starting point. 

What Is Cross-Chargeability and Who Can Use It? 

In some cases, you may not need to use your own country of birth. Cross-chargeability allows married applicants to use their spouse’s country of birth if it results in a shorter wait time.  This can significantly change your timeline, especially if one spouse was born in a country without a backlog.

This rule is more widely applicable than most applicants realize. If your spouse was born in a country with a shorter or no backlog, speak with an immigration attorney before assuming you must wait. 

What Does It Mean When the Visa Bulletin Retrogresses? 

Retrogression occurs when a cutoff date moves backward instead of forward. This usually happens when demand increases and visa limits are reached. While this can affect timing, there are strategic steps applicants can take to stay prepared and act quickly when their date becomes current again. 

If you have already filed your I-485, your case remains valid. If you have not filed, you may need to wait until your date becomes current again. A window that is open today may not be open next month. If you are unsure whether your priority date is current, whether Chart A or Chart B applies this month, or whether you are ready to file, speak with an immigration attorney before the bulletin changes again. 

The State Department sometimes includes a warning inside the bulletin that retrogression may be necessary later in the fiscal year if demand increases. When you see that language, treat it as a signal to act sooner rather than later. 

Your 5-Minute Visa Bulletin Check 

Each time a new Visa Bulletin is released, follow these steps to determine your status: 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing? 

Final Action Dates (Chart A) show when USCIS can approve your green card. Dates for Filing (Chart B) show when you can submit your I-485 application, even before your case is ready for final approval. Filing under Chart B lets you access your Employment Authorization Document and Advance Parole travel permit while you wait. USCIS decides each month which chart applies, and posts that decision on uscis.gov, not inside the Visa Bulletin itself. 

What happens if my priority date retrogresses? 

If you already filed your I-485 before retrogression, your application remains valid, and USCIS continues processing it. If you have not yet filed, you must wait for the cutoff date to advance past your priority date again. This is the strongest reason immigration attorneys advise filing the moment your date becomes current. 

Ready to Find Out Where You Stand? 

Reading the Visa Bulletin is step one but knowing how to act on it is what makes the difference. Our team helps you interpret your timeline and act at the right moment. 

By reviewing the bulletin each month and understanding how to compare your priority date, you can avoid missing important filing opportunities. 

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Get your free EB-1A visa profile evaluation today.

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