Adjust Chart Bulletin For Free

The date your petition was filed is called your priority date.Please note that while NVC attempts to contact all applicants when their visa number is available, you can also use the Department of State's Visa Bulletin to check whether a visa is available for your petition.

The Department of State has a recorded message with visa availability information which can be heard at: (202) 485-7699. This recording is updated on or about the tenth of each month with information on cut-off dates for the following month.

The recording is normally updated on/about the 17th of each month with information on final action dates for the following month.

B. This second chart indicates when the intending immigrant can apply for an immigrant visa. Specifically, the applicant may file an adjustment of status application provided that the applicant's priority date is before the date listed in the visa bulletin's filing dates chart.

If the priority date retrogresses after you file, then you remain a pending applicant for adjustment of status and can apply for employment and travel authorization as a pending applicant or have your employer continue to maintain your nonimmigrant status.

Foreign nationals with a priority date appearing after the cut-off date listed on the Visa Bulletin will be "retrogressed", essentially meaning the USCIS review of their pending Adjustment of Status application (if already filed) will be put on hold until their priority date becomes current again.

Adjustment of status is the process that you can use to apply for lawful permanent resident status (also known as applying for a Green Card) when you are present in the United States. This means that you may get a Green Card without having to return to your home country to complete visa processing.