Key Takeaways
- •Dates for Filing: Tells you when you can submit your paperwork (I-485).
- •Final Action Dates: Tells you when your Green Card can actually be approved.
- •USCIS decides each month which chart you are allowed to use for filing.
The Tale of Two Charts
Since 2015, the Visa Bulletin has featured two separate tables for each visa preference category. Confusing them is the most common mistake applicants make.
Family-Sponsored
For relatives of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents.
- F1: Unmarried Sons/Daughters of Citizens
- F2A: Spouses/Children of Residents
- F3/F4: Married Sons/Siblings
Employment-Based
For workers sponsoring their Green Cards through employment.
- EB-1: Priority Workers (Extraordinary Ability)
- EB-2: Advanced Degree Professionals
- EB-3: Skilled/Professional Workers
1Dates for Filing (DFF)
This chart represents the "early bird" queue. If your Priority Date is earlier than the date in this chart, you are theoretically eligible to assemble your application package and mail it to USCIS.
Crucial Warning!
Even if you are current in the DFF chart, you cannot file unless USCIS explicitly says they are "honoring" the Dates for Filing chart for that month. You must check the separate USCIS Filing Page.
2Final Action Dates (FAD)
This is the "real" approval line. Even if you filed your application years ago using the Filing chart, USCIS cannot actually print and issue your Green Card until your Priority Date is current in the Final Action chart.