Visa Bulletin and How to Read the Visa Chart with First Consulting Group

For US immigration categories that are subject to annual numerical limitations, monitoring the Visa Bulletin is a crucial step to predict when a case will reach its turn for processing. So, what is the Visa Bulletin, how do you read the visa chart, and what important notes should you keep in mind? First Consulting Group will provide a detailed explanation in this article.

What Is the Visa Bulletin?

Due to annual quota limits, many US immigration cases cannot be processed immediately but must wait according to their priority date. The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication that helps track the processing order and progress of these cases.

What Is the Visa Bulletin in the US Immigration System?

The Visa Bulletin is a monthly schedule published by the US Department of State (DOS) to announce the availability of immigrant visas based on priority dates. This is the official source of information used to determine whether your case has reached its turn for processing.

Based on the visa chart:

• The US Department of State (DOS): Coordinates the visa quotas, ensuring that the number of immigrant visas issued annually does not exceed the statutory limits prescribed for family-sponsored and employment-based categories.
• The National Visa Center (NVC): Relies on the cutoff dates in the visa chart to notify applicants to pay fees, proceed with the 6-step process, and schedule interview appointments when the case reaches its turn.

Visa Categories Governed by the Visa Chart

The visa chart only applies to categories subject to a numerical quota. These categories are divided into two main groups:

Family-Sponsored Categories

• F1: Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of US citizens.
• F2A: Spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of permanent residents.
• F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of permanent residents.
• F3: Married sons and daughters of US citizens.
• F4: Brothers and sisters of adult US citizens.

Employment-Based and Investor Categories

• EB1: Priority workers with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, or certain multinational executives and managers.
• EB2: Professionals holding advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability.
• EB3: Skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers (other workers).
• EB4: Certain special immigrants, such as religious workers or employees of international organizations.
• EB5: Immigrant investors.

Each category has its own waiting list. Currently, applicants from most countries are grouped under the “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed” category, experiencing waiting times comparable to most nations worldwide. However, depending on the volume of backlogged applications in each specific category, the actual waiting time will vary. In the event that the number of applicants exceeds the annually permitted quota, the processing schedule may slow down or retrogress (move backward).

How to Read the Visa Bulletin and Check Your US Immigration Case with First Consulting Group

The Visa Bulletin consists of two main charts:

• CHART A – Final Action Dates: Determines when your case can be finalized and scheduled for an interview. This is the final stage before a decision is made to issue or refuse the immigrant visa.
• CHART B – Dates for Filing: Determines when you can begin the 6-step process with the NVC (paying fees, submitting financial support documentation, and civil documents).

Comparison of Chart A and Chart B

After understanding how to read the charts, applicants should monitor the visa bulletin published every month. Regular updates help applicants recognize when their priority date is approaching its turn so they can prepare documents and interview plans in a timely manner.

Steps to Check the Visa Bulletin

1. Identify your visa category (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4, EB1, EB2, EB3, EB5).
2. Identify the applicant’s country of chargeability (e.g., General/All Chargeability Areas, China, India, etc.).
3. Check the Priority Date: Found on the Form I-797 (Notice of Action) approval or receipt notice of Form I-130 or Form I-140.
4. Compare the Priority Date with the visa chart:

• Comparison with Chart A: If your case’s priority date is earlier than the date listed on Chart A -> The case is eligible to be scheduled for an interview at the Consulate/Embassy and reviewed for visa/green card issuance.
• Comparison with Chart B: If your case’s priority date is earlier than the date listed on Chart B -> You can begin the steps with the NVC: submitting Form DS-260, the affidavit of support packet, civil documents, and paying fees (upon receiving notification from the NVC).

Case marked as “C – Current”: This category has visas available immediately, and you can proceed to the next steps right away.

The Impact of Priority Dates and Cutoff Dates on Visa Waiting Times

The priority date is the chronological marker that determines a case’s position on the waiting list for visa issuance, typically established on the day the petition is properly filed. Meanwhile, the cutoff date is published monthly by the US Department of State, representing the baseline up to which cases are currently being processed.

The visa waiting time depends directly on the relationship between these two milestones. When the priority date is earlier than the cutoff date in the visa chart, the case is considered to have reached its turn for processing. Conversely, if the priority date falls after the cutoff date, the applicant must continue to wait until the visa chart updates.

Monitoring monthly shifts in the cutoff date helps applicants estimate processing progress and proactively prepare for subsequent steps, such as finalizing paperwork or preparing for interviews.

Certain categories, such as the F1 visa (unmarried adult sons and daughters of US citizens) and the F4 visa, generally have waiting times extending over multiple years due to a massive backlog of cases and limited annual visa allocations.

Other Factors Influencing Visa Waiting Times

In addition to the priority date and cutoff date, waiting times depend on various other elements within the visa allocation system:

• The Backlog Volume: The more applications waiting in line, the slower the cutoff date advances.
• Annual Visa Quotas: The number of green cards allocated per year is fixed by law and does not increase despite high demand.

Certain categories, such as sibling sponsorships and unskilled labor, often encounter waiting periods that span many years due to the sheer volume of applicants.

Understanding these factors gives applicants a more realistic view of their waiting timeline, allowing them to proactively gather and complete documentation early rather than waiting until the visa chart formally reaches their date.

Important Notes When Checking the Visa Chart to Avoid Missing Your US Immigration Opportunity

Why the Visa Chart Changes Every Month

The US Department of State adjusts the cutoff dates monthly based on actual visa demand and the remaining visa numbers within the fiscal year. In some months, the priority dates may advance rapidly by several weeks, while in other months they may stall or even retrogress (move backward).

This fluctuation stems from a few primary causes:

• Sudden spikes in the number of applications filed and approved.
• Shifting rates of denials or application withdrawals during certain periods.
• Unused visa numbers from other categories being reallocated.
• The Department of State’s strategic visa coordination to ensure annual statutory limits are not breached.

Therefore, the movement of the visa chart is not uniformly linear over time but can fluctuate from month to month. Regular tracking ensures applicants are not caught off guard if the schedule stalls or retrogresses.

Monthly Visa Chart Check-Up Steps

To ensure you do not miss the moment your case reaches its turn, applicants should proactively monitor and follow these steps:

• Review the Visa Bulletin immediately upon its monthly release.
• Compare your priority date against the latest cutoff dates.
• Prepare all necessary civil and financial documents as your priority date nears its turn.
• Closely monitor notifications from the National Visa Center (NVC).
• Consult with qualified professionals when your date is approaching or has reached its turn.

What to Prepare When Your Case Is About to Become Current

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Disclaimer: All information provided in this document is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. Statistical data and processing timelines reflect the public records available at the time of publication. For precise legal assessments, please schedule a direct consultation with First Consulting Group.