Thursday, March 5, 2026
BHARATAMERICAN

Data sourced from USCIS and the U.S. Department of State. Not legal advice.

Priority Date Tool

Am I Current?

Enter your priority date and visa category to instantly find out if you can file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) or are current for a green card under the March 2026 Visa Bulletin.

What is a priority date?
Your priority date is the date USCIS received your I-140 petition (or your labor certification filing date for PERM cases). It determines your place in the green card queue. You can find it on your I-140 approval notice.
Based on the March 2026 Visa Bulletin (published February 20, 2026). View full bulletin →

Found on your I-140 approval notice or I-485 receipt

Advanced Degree / NIW

This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Priority date determinations depend on many factors including USCIS policy, chargeability rules, and individual case circumstances. Always consult a qualified immigration attorney before filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'current' mean for a priority date?

A priority date is 'current' when it appears before the cutoff date listed in the Visa Bulletin for your category and country of birth. If your date is current under Final Action Dates, USCIS can approve your green card. If it's current only under Dates for Filing, you can file Form I-485 early to get an EAD and Advance Parole, but your green card won't be approved until the Final Action date passes.

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

Final Action Dates (Chart A) show when a green card can actually be issued. Dates for Filing (Chart B) show when you can submit your I-485 application — even if the green card isn't available yet. USCIS announces each month whether applicants may use Chart B. Filing under Chart B lets you get an EAD (work permit) and Advance Parole while you wait for your Final Action date to become current.

What is chargeability and why does it matter?

Chargeability refers to which country's quota your green card is charged against — typically your country of birth (not citizenship). India and China have the longest backlogs because they have the most applicants relative to the annual per-country cap of 7%. If you were born in India but your spouse was born in a non-oversubscribed country, you may be able to use cross-chargeability to use their country's (usually faster) dates.

How often does the Visa Bulletin update?

The State Department releases a new Visa Bulletin around the 20th of each month for the following month. Priority dates can move forward, stay the same, or even retrogress (move backward). The EB-2 India Final Action date moved forward by 11 months in the March 2026 bulletin — one of the largest single-month advances in recent years.

What should I do while waiting for my priority date to become current?

Keep your H-1B status current with timely renewals, ensure your I-140 is approved and not withdrawn by your employer, monitor the Visa Bulletin monthly, and consult an immigration attorney about whether you qualify for a faster path such as EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) or EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver), which do not require employer sponsorship.