Family-Sponsored Preference Categories
These categories are for family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Priority dates determine your place in line for a green card.
Select Date Type
Final Action Dates: When visas can actually be issued
Dates for Filing: When you can submit your application
| Category | All Countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unmarried Sons/Daughters of Citizens
|
15JUL16 | 15JUL16 | 15JUL16 | 22APR05 | 15JUL12 |
|
Spouses/Children of Residents
|
01SEP22 | 01SEP22 | 01SEP22 | 01FEB22 | 01SEP22 |
|
Unmarried Sons/Daughters (21+) of Residents
|
15OCT16 | 15OCT16 | 15OCT16 | 01JAN07 | 15APR12 |
|
Married Sons/Daughters of Citizens
|
01AUG11 | 01AUG11 | 01AUG11 | 01FEB01 | 01DEC03 |
|
Brothers/Sisters of Adult Citizens
|
01JAN08 | 01JAN08 | 08JUL06 | 15MAR01 | 01JAN06 |
Employment-Based Preference Categories
These categories are for workers with job offers or special skills. EB-5 is for investors. Priority dates show when you filed your labor certification or petition.
Select Date Type
| Category | All Countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Priority Workers
|
C | 15NOV22 | 15FEB22 | C | C |
|
Advanced Degrees
|
15OCT23 | 15DEC20 | 01JAN13 | 15OCT23 | 15OCT23 |
|
Skilled Workers
|
01APR23 | 01DEC20 | 22APR13 | 01APR23 | 08FEB23 |
|
Other Workers
|
08JUL21 | 01MAY17 | 22APR13 | 08JUL21 | 08JUL21 |
|
Special Immigrants
|
U | U | U | U | U |
|
Investors (Unreserved)
|
C | 22JAN14 | 01MAY19 | C | C |
|
Rural (20%)
|
C | C | C | C | C |
|
High Unemployment (10%)
|
C | C | C | C | C |
|
Infrastructure (2%)
|
C | C | C | C | C |
Diversity Visa Program (DV-2025)
The DV lottery provides up to 55,000 visas annually to people from countries with low immigration rates to the US. Numbers shown are the cutoff case numbers for July 2025.
AFRICA
ASIA
EUROPE
NORTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
SOUTH AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
Important DV-2025 Deadline
All DV-2025 winners must complete their process by September 30, 2025. Visas cannot be issued after this date, even if your case number becomes current.
How to Read the Visa Bulletin
Understanding priority dates is crucial for your immigration journey. Here's what you need to know:
Key Terms Explained
Priority Date
Your priority date is when USCIS received your petition or labor certification. This date determines your place in line for a green card. Think of it as your "ticket number" in the immigration queue.
Final Action Dates
These dates show when visas can actually be issued. If your priority date is BEFORE the listed date, a visa is available for you. This is when you can get your green card.
Dates for Filing
These dates show when you can submit your application (Form I-485 for adjustment of status). USCIS may allow you to file earlier than the final action date, letting you get work permits and travel documents while waiting.
Understanding "C" and "U"
C (Current): Visas are immediately available for everyone in this category.
U (Unavailable): No visas are available in this category right now.
Date Format Guide
Pro Tips
- Priority dates can move forward, stay the same, or go backward (retrogress) each month
- Check the visa bulletin monthly - it's published around the 8th-12th of each month
- Your country of birth (not citizenship) determines which column applies to you
- Family members can use the same priority date as the main applicant