{"id":8157,"date":"2024-03-26T05:15:23","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T10:15:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/?p=8157"},"modified":"2024-03-26T05:15:23","modified_gmt":"2024-03-26T10:15:23","slug":"what-is-green-card-bulletin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Green Card Bulletin"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gateway_to_Success_Your_Guide_Through_the_Green_Card_Bulletin\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gateway to Success: Your Guide Through the Green Card Bulletin<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-663bdc02e0053\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-663bdc02e0053\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#Gateway_to_Success_Your_Guide_Through_the_Green_Card_Bulletin\" title=\"Gateway to Success: Your Guide Through the Green Card Bulletin\">Gateway to Success: Your Guide Through the Green Card Bulletin<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#Quick_Summary\" title=\"Quick Summary\">Quick Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#What_is_the_Visa_Bulletin\" title=\"What is the Visa Bulletin?\">What is the Visa Bulletin?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#Why_is_the_Green_Card_Bulletin_Important\" title=\"Why is the Green Card Bulletin Important?\">Why is the Green Card Bulletin Important?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#Determining_Eligibility\" title=\"Determining Eligibility\">Determining Eligibility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#Planning_and_Preparation\" title=\"Planning and Preparation\">Planning and Preparation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#Managing_Expectations\" title=\"Managing Expectations\">Managing Expectations<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#How_Does_Visa_Bulletin_Break_Down_the_Availability_of_Immigrant_Visas\" title=\"How Does Visa Bulletin Break Down the Availability of Immigrant Visas?\">How Does Visa Bulletin Break Down the Availability of Immigrant Visas?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#Priority_Date\" title=\"Priority Date\">Priority Date<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#Preference_Categories\" title=\"Preference Categories\">Preference Categories<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#Per-Country_Caps\" title=\"Per-Country Caps\">Per-Country Caps<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#How_to_Find_Out_My_Priority_Date_for_an_Immigrant_Visa\" title=\"How to Find Out My Priority Date for an Immigrant Visa?\">How to Find Out My Priority Date for an Immigrant Visa?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#Why_Are_There_Two_Charts_in_the_Visa_Bulletin\" title=\"Why Are There Two Charts in the Visa Bulletin?\">Why Are There Two Charts in the Visa Bulletin?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#1_Final_Action_Dates_Chart\" title=\"1. Final Action Dates Chart\">1. Final Action Dates Chart<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#2_Dates_for_Filing_Chart\" title=\"2. Dates for Filing Chart\">2. Dates for Filing Chart<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#Green_Card_Bulletin_Decoding_the_Letters\" title=\"Green Card Bulletin: Decoding the Letters\">Green Card Bulletin: Decoding the Letters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#What_to_Do_If_My_Priority_Date_is_Current\" title=\"What to Do If My Priority Date is Current?\">What to Do If My Priority Date is Current?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#Outside_the_United_States\" title=\"Outside the United States\">Outside the United States<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#Already_in_the_United_States\" title=\"Already in the United States\">Already in the United States<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/what-is-green-card-bulletin\/#Your_Trusted_Legal_Partner_in_Navigating_the_Green_Card_Bulletin\" title=\"Your Trusted Legal Partner in Navigating the Green Card Bulletin\">Your Trusted Legal Partner in Navigating the Green Card Bulletin<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking to the future and longing for a fresh start in a new land? The Green Card Bulletin might hold the key to your American dream. But what exactly is the Green Card Bulletin? This bulletin, officially known as the Visa Bulletin, is a monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State that outlines the availability of immigrant visa numbers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding the Green Card Bulletin is crucial for those seeking lawful permanent residence in the United States. It can <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">help you plan your immigration journey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and know when you might be eligible to take the next step toward living and working in the land of opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Quick_Summary\"><\/span><b>Quick Summary<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>The Green Card Bulletin<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State that shows visa availability and cutoff dates for green card applicants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>It helps determine eligibility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by showing which visa categories and countries have visas available based on priority dates.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>It allows for planning and managing expectations <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by providing insight into potential waiting times based on your situation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Visa Bulletin uses two charts:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Final Action Dates Chart:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Shows when you can get your green card based on your priority date (if current).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Dates for Filing Chart:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Shows when you can submit your green card application (even if the final action date isn&#8217;t current yet).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding the letters in the charts:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>&#8220;C&#8221; (current):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> There are enough visas available, so your application can be processed quickly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>&#8220;U&#8221; (unavailable):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> No more visas are available for that year; you&#8217;ll have to wait until the next allocation period.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to do when your priority date is current:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re outside the U.S., contact the National Visa Center (NVC) for instructions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re already in the U.S. and eligible to adjust status, you can submit your application to USCIS.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_Visa_Bulletin\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the Visa Bulletin?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Green Card Bulletin (also called the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/legal\/visa-law0\/visa-bulletin.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visa Bulletin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) comes out monthly from the U.S. Department of State. It tells you two important things:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Are there any green cards left?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> There&#8217;s a limit on how many green cards the U.S. can give out each year. The Bulletin shows how many are available in each category (like work visas or family visas).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>When can you apply?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Bulletin also has cutoff dates. If your &#8220;place in line&#8221; (priority date) is earlier than the cutoff date for your category, you can move forward with your green card application.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think of it like a waiting list:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The number of green cards is limited, so there&#8217;s a wait.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulletin shows how long the wait might be for your situation (based on your category and birth country).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also tells you when it&#8217;s your turn to move forward with your application.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_the_Green_Card_Bulletin_Important\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why is the Green Card Bulletin Important?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Green Card Bulletin, also known as the Visa Bulletin, <\/span><b>plays a crucial role in the immigration process<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for those seeking lawful permanent residence in the United States. It provides vital information about visa availability and cutoff dates, guiding individuals through the complex green card application process.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Determining_Eligibility\"><\/span><b>Determining Eligibility<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulletin shows how many green cards are available in different categories (work visas, family visas, etc.) and for people from different countries. This helps you see if there&#8217;s an opening for you right now.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Planning_and_Preparation\"><\/span><b>Planning and Preparation<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By checking the Green Card Bulletin regularly, individuals can plan and prepare for their green card application process. They can anticipate when they might be eligible to file the final steps of their application, either through adjustment of status or consular processing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Managing_Expectations\"><\/span><b>Managing Expectations<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Waiting times for green cards can vary depending on country of birth or visa category. The Bulletin helps you guess how long you might wait by showing how many people are ahead of you in line.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_Visa_Bulletin_Break_Down_the_Availability_of_Immigrant_Visas\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Does Visa Bulletin Break Down the Availability of Immigrant Visas?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Visa Bulletin breaks down the availability of immigrant visas according to:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Priority_Date\"><\/span><b>Priority Date<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The &#8220;priority date&#8221; is like your &#8220;place in line&#8221; for a green card. It&#8217;s set when your PERM Labor Certification is filed with the Department of Labor (DOL), or if you&#8217;re exempt from PERM when your I-140 petition is filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Preference_Categories\"><\/span><b>Preference Categories<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Various groups of employment-based immigrants receive different numbers of visas each year.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>EB-1 (First Preference)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The EB-1 category is for<\/span><b> highly skilled people<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like scientists or athletes. They often have<\/span><b> shorter waits<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> because there are fewer people in line.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>EB-2 (Second Preference)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The EB-2 category is for <\/span><b>professionals with advanced degrees or skills<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They may have to wait longer, especially if they&#8217;re from a country with many applicants. <\/span><b>National Interest Waivers (NIW) are included in this category<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>EB-3 (Third Preference)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This category is for <\/span><b>professionals with a U.S. bachelor&#8217;s degree<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>skilled workers with at least two years of experience<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and<\/span><b> other workers with less than two years of experience<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Waiting times can be long, especially for applicants from densely populated countries, due to high demand.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Per-Country_Caps\"><\/span><b>Per-Country Caps<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There&#8217;s a cap on how many visas each country gets each year. This helps spread things out fairly. Countries like India and China often have longer waits because more people from there apply.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Find_Out_My_Priority_Date_for_an_Immigrant_Visa\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Find Out My Priority Date for an Immigrant Visa?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All people applying to immigrate in the preference categories have a Priority Date. This date determines their place in line for a U.S. immigrant visa.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The date when your<\/span><b> family petitioner<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident) filed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/i-130\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Form I-130<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and USCIS accepted it for processing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The date when your U.S. employer-petitioner&#8217;s labor certification request was received and accepted for processing by the Department of Labor, followed by USCIS approving <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/i-140\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Form I-140<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, also <\/span><b>filed by the employer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re applying in a <\/span><b>preference category <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that doesn&#8217;t need a DOL labor certification, the date USCIS received and accepted your Form I-140 petition for processing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Are_There_Two_Charts_in_the_Visa_Bulletin\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why Are There Two Charts in the Visa Bulletin?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Visa Bulletin has two main charts for people applying for visas based on family connections and work.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Final_Action_Dates_Chart\"><\/span><b>1. Final Action Dates Chart<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This chart tells you <\/span><b>when you can get your actual green card<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, based on your &#8220;place in line&#8221; (priority date).<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your priority date is earlier than the date listed for your category, you&#8217;re good to go! USCIS can now make a final decision on your application.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means you might get your green card interview scheduled (if applying abroad) or receive your green card directly (if applying within the U.S.).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Dates_for_Filing_Chart\"><\/span><b>2. Dates for Filing Chart<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This chart lets you know<\/span><b> when you can submit your application <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to adjust your status to a green card holder, even if you can&#8217;t get the card yet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think of it as a heads-up to gather your documents and get ready.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once your priority date becomes current (based on the Final Action Dates chart), your application can be processed quickly because you&#8217;ve already submitted it.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Green_Card_Bulletin_Decoding_the_Letters\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Green Card Bulletin: Decoding the Letters<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Green Card Bulletin can be confusing with letters instead of dates. Here&#8217;s what they mean:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>&#8220;C&#8221; (current)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This is good news! There are enough green cards available in your category right now, so there&#8217;s no wait. You can apply for your green card as soon as you meet the other requirements.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, in 2023, the wait time for a certain family visa category was really long. But then the Bulletin showed a &#8220;C&#8221; for months. This meant people in that category could apply for their green card right away.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>&#8220;U&#8221; (unavailable)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This means all the green cards for your category are gone for this year. You&#8217;ll have to wait until the next visa allocation period starts (usually in October) to try again.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Signing up for the monthly Green Card Bulletin email can help you stay on top of your progress and any changes in the letter codes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Do_If_My_Priority_Date_is_Current\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to Do If My Priority Date is Current?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your wait might be over! If you see a recent date or the letter &#8220;C&#8221; next to your category on the Green Card Bulletin&#8217;s &#8220;Dates for Filing&#8221; chart, it means your &#8220;place in line&#8221; (priority date) is current. Here&#8217;s what to do next:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Outside_the_United_States\"><\/span><b>Outside the United States<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Contact the National Visa Center (NVC) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for instructions on how to move forward with your immigrant visa application. Don&#8217;t wait for them to reach out to you first.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Already_in_the_United_States\"><\/span><b>Already in the United States<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can apply to adjust your status to a green card holder (by <\/span><b>filing Form I-485 with USCIS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) as long as USCIS allows you to use the current filing date on the Bulletin. Don&#8217;t wait for an invitation!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your sponsor didn&#8217;t tell USCIS earlier that you&#8217;d be adjusting status,<\/span><b> let the NVC know you&#8217;re in the U.S. and want to adjust status<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They can then send your file to USCIS.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if you submit your application, you won&#8217;t get your green card until your priority date is also current on the <\/span><b>&#8220;Application Final Action Dates<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8221; chart.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Your_Trusted_Legal_Partner_in_Navigating_the_Green_Card_Bulletin\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your Trusted Legal Partner in Navigating the Green Card Bulletin<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding the Green Card Bulletin is crucial for obtaining lawful permanent residence in the US. Gateway Immigration Law Firm can guide you through this process, ensuring you know your options and rights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our immigration lawyers in Missouri are here to assist you in navigating the system and achieving your American dream. Contact us today for help with the Green Card Bulletin or any immigration matter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We can also represent you in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/immigration\/adjustment-of-status\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adjustment of Status<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/immigration\/amnesty\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amnesty<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/immigration\/diversity-visa-lottery\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diversity Visa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Let us help you navigate the path to a brighter future in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gateway to Success: Your Guide Through the Green Card Bulletin Looking to the future and longing for a fresh start in a new land? The Green Card Bulletin might hold the key to your American dream. But what exactly is the Green Card Bulletin? This bulletin, officially known as the Visa Bulletin, is a monthly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":8158,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,131],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8157"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8157"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8157\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8159,"href":"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8157\/revisions\/8159"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8158"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gatewayimmigrationlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}