Visa Bulletin | September 2021

In the Green Card process, being on the list with your priority date is surely testing your patience. Visa Bulletin keeps track of updates on Green Card progress. You can read the tables to find where you’re standing on the waiting list. The petitions are processed chronologically, so the date you filed your Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) or Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140) is your priority date, and it shows your position in line.

More specifically, the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) publishes a visa bulletin for each month. Thus, a visa bulletin informs applicants about Green Card applications that can be processed based on the petition's filing date.

Accordingly, remember that the number of Green Cards awarded each year is limited. Therefore, Green Card applications consist of two categories:

• family-based Green Cards,
• employment-based Green Cards.

There are 366,000 Green Cards available each year, with 226,000 family-based and 140,000 employment-based Green Cards. Hence, for these two categories, there are two charts: application final action dates chart and dates for filing visa applications chart.

How to read the chart

As a result, the Dates for Filing represent the earliest dates Green Card applicants may apply for a Green Card. Similarly, the Final Action Dates represent the dates when a Green Card number will be available for the applicant with a current priority date that month. Furthermore, if you’re currently living in the United States and waiting to apply for the Adjustment of Status, you’ll look at the final action dates chart. However, if you live outside of the United States and are waiting for consular processing, you should focus on the dates for the filing chart.

There is a limit to the number of Green Cards that can be issued depending on the country of origin. This is the country limit. Your country cannot have more than 7% Green Cards in any category.

In densely populated countries like India and China where multiple people are applying for a Green Card, the waiting queues are long and it might take around 10 years for the priority date to become current. Please find below the Visa Bulletin for September 2021 with final action dates and dates for filing visa applications.

Family-sponsored preferences

F-1: Unmarried Children (age 21 and older) of U.S. Citizens
F-2A: Spouses and Unmarried Children (under age 21) of U.S. Green Card Holders
F-2B: Unmarried Children (age 21 or older) of U.S. Green Card Holders
F-3: Married Children of U.S. Citizens
F-4: Siblings of U.S. Citizens

C – current, authorized for issuance

U – unauthorized

Employment-based preferences

First: Extraordinary People, Outstanding Researchers and Professors, and Multinational Executives and Managers
Second: Exceptional People and Advanced Degree Holders
Third: Bachelor’s Degree Holders, Skilled Workers, and Unskilled Workers
Fourth: Special Immigrants
Fifth: Investors

C – current, authorized for issuance
U – unauthorized

The data presented in a visa bulletin may appear difficult to understand, however, if you follow our simple guide, you’ll be able to stay on track with the latest information and see how they can help you.We are here to provide consultation and relevant information concerning your Green Card application process. When you decide to immigrate to the United States, keep in mind that your case is unique. The circumstances surrounding your application, your intents, and your eligibility influence the final decision on your case.If you’re wondering which visa type is the most suitable for you or you would like to get an expert review of your case, see our Visa Selection form and find out what’s the next step. For any questions or help, contact us and we’ll respond to you in the shortest time possible.