Guide to the DOS Visa Bulletin: Track Your Visa Progress
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin is essential for those tracking the availability and processing times of family and employment-based immigrant visas. Issued monthly, it helps you navigate your visa application progress more efficiently.
What Is the DOS Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin updates applicants about the status of immigrant visa availability and current processing times. It serves as a reference for scheduling when to submit Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Key Terms Explained
1. Priority Date
Your priority date represents your place in the visa queue. If this date becomes ‘current’ (or marked as ‘C’ for ‘current’), you are eligible to proceed with your visa or green card application.
2. Final Action Date
The final action date determines when a visa number is available. If your priority date is earlier than this date for your visa category, you can move forward with your application that month.
3. Dates for Filing Applications
This section outlines when you can submit Form I-485 for adjustment of status. The National Visa Center (NVC) uses these dates to notify applicants to start preparing their cases.
Understanding Preference Categories
Visa preference categories fall under family-based and employment-based categories, each with specific quotas. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are exempt from these quotas, unlike other family members or employment-based applicants.
Country of Birth Considerations
The Visa Bulletin uses the applicant’s country of birth, not citizenship, to determine eligibility. Sometimes, using your spouse’s country of birth may help expedite your green card process.
Estimating Your Wait Time
Compare your priority date to the bulletin’s listed dates for your category to estimate your wait time.
Filing Your Adjustment of Status
If you’re in the U.S. on valid status, you can file Form I-485 once your priority date matches the “Dates for Filing Applications.” Double-check both the DOS Visa Bulletin and USCIS charts to confirm when to file.
Schedule a Consultation with an Immigration Lawyer
Citations
We Can Help!
You may have questions regarding U.S. immigration laws and visas. We invite you to contact our team at Richards and Jurusik for detailed guidance and assistance. We aim to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to make your immigration process smoother and less stressful. The immigration lawyers at Richards and Jurusik have decades of experience helping people to work and live in the United States. Read some of our hundreds of 5-star client reviews! Contact us today to assess your legal situation.
JEREMY L. RICHARDS is the founding partner of Richards and Jurusik and has dedicated his career to U.S. immigration law, with a specialized focus on assisting Canadian and Mexican citizens under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to work and live in the United States. (Full Bio)
