{"id":352802,"date":"2022-08-19T07:42:50","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T12:42:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/immigration\/immigration-laws-and-resources\/how-to-use-the-us-visa-bulletin.html"},"modified":"2026-03-30T12:34:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T17:34:00","slug":"how-to-use-the-us-visa-bulletin","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration\/immigration-laws-and-resources\/how-to-use-the-us-visa-bulletin.html","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the U.S. Visa Bulletin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Understanding the U.S. Visa Bulletin<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Meagan Neil, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The U.S. Visa Bulletin is a monthly update from the Department of State that shows when immigrant visa applicants can move forward based on their priority date. It outlines visa availability by category and country, helping applicants understand where they stand in the queue and whether retrogression may affect their wait time.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Esentially, the U.S. Visa Bulletin contains an updated waiting list of immigrants applying for a U.S. visa. Understanding how to read it is essential for tracking your case and knowing when you may be eligible to file for a visa or adjustment of status.<\/p>\n

This article talks about the complex rules of the U.S. Visa Bulletin. Learn how visa applicants can interpret the bulletin as they navigate through their immigration journey and more.<\/p>\n

The details of the visa bulletin can be confusing, especially with various terms, numbers, and dates critical to your visa application. Contact an immigration attorney<\/a> near you for help.<\/p>\n

What Is the Visa Bulletin?<\/h2>\n

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) publishes the monthly bulletin, declaring the estimated wait times for consular processing. This allows visa applicants to understand their place in the\u00a0visa queue<\/a>. It also gives the recent date when a visa number is available for a specific visa category. The visa bulletin also reveals the cut-off dates for filing visa applications.<\/p>\n

What Is a ‘Priority Date’?<\/h3>\n

A priority date is an important detail in the immigration process. As a visa applicant, this indicates your spot in the visa queue. Filing the immigrant visa application with the\u00a0U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)<\/a>\u00a0often marks this moment. For employment-based visas, the priority date is when the Department of Labor accepts the application for labor certification for processing.<\/p>\n

You can see the\u00a0priority date<\/a>\u00a0on the petition filed on your behalf. For instance, for prospective immigrants, you can see your priority date on your Notice of Action Form I-797. For family-sponsored immigrants, you can see it on the Petition for Alien Relative Form I-130.<\/p>\n

Note that the waiting time before you can get your immigrant visa or adjustment of status<\/a> depends on the following factors:<\/p>\n