Two Charts, Two Different Thresholds
Every month, the U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin with two separate date charts for employment-based and family-based categories:
Chart A — Final Action Dates
- The date USCIS can approve and issue your green card
- Your priority date must be before this date
- Always available for use
- Previously called "cut-off dates"
Chart B — Dates for Filing
- The date you can submit your I-485 application
- Typically several months ahead of Chart A
- Only available when USCIS authorizes it each month
- Does not guarantee green card approval
The History Behind the Filing Date
Before 2015, applicants could only file I-485 when the Final Action date was current — meaning a visa number was immediately available. This created a feast-or-famine dynamic: when dates advanced significantly, USCIS would be flooded with filings; when dates stalled, applicants sat idle with no pending case.
In 2015, the State Department began publishing a separate "Dates for Filing" chart — set several months ahead of Final Action dates — and USCIS began accepting I-485 filings based on this earlier date when visa numbers were projected to be available in the near term.
The benefit for applicants: filing early means getting work authorization (EAD) and travel permission (Advance Parole) sooner, without having to wait for the Final Action date to be reached.
Understanding the "C" in the Visa Bulletin
When you look at the visa bulletin, some categories show a date like 01JAN14 while others show C. "C" means the category is current — there is no wait, and any applicant in that category can file or receive approval immediately regardless of priority date.
For categories that show a date, the rule is:
- Your priority date must be before (earlier than) the cutoff date — the cutoff date itself is not current
- Example: If Chart A shows 01JAN2014 for India EB-2, an applicant with a priority date of 31DEC2013 is current. An applicant with 02JAN2014 is not.
How USCIS Decides to Authorize Chart B Each Month
Each month, USCIS evaluates projected visa number demand and availability. If they determine there are enough visa numbers available — or will be available soon — they announce that Chart B can be used for I-485 filings for specific categories.
This announcement is published on the USCIS website in the first week of each month, alongside the visa bulletin release. It is not automatic — USCIS can and does decline to authorize Chart B for certain categories even when the dates differ from Chart A.
In recent years, USCIS has routinely authorized Chart B for most employment-based categories, but this can change. For family-based categories, Chart B authorization is less consistent.
Why You Should File on Chart B the Moment You're Eligible
Filing I-485 under Chart B — even though your green card won't be approved until Chart A is reached — unlocks significant benefits immediately:
- EAD (Employment Authorization Document): Once your I-485 is pending, you can apply for an EAD that lets you work for any employer in the U.S. — not just your sponsoring employer. This is crucial for long-backlog applicants who want job flexibility.
- Advance Parole (AP): You can apply for travel permission that lets you re-enter the U.S. after international travel without needing to maintain your nonimmigrant visa status.
- AC21 portability: After your I-485 has been pending for 180+ days and your I-140 is approved, you can change employers to a same or similar occupation without jeopardizing your green card application.
- No H-1B cap exposure: Once you have a pending I-485 with EAD/AP, you are less dependent on maintaining H-1B status, reducing risk from H-1B lottery or employer layoffs.
What Happens While You Wait for Chart A
Once you file I-485 based on the Filing date (Chart B), here is what to expect:
- Receipt notice: USCIS sends a receipt notice (I-797) confirming your case is pending. This arrives within a few weeks.
- Biometrics appointment: USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center to collect fingerprints and photos.
- EAD/AP combo card: You can file Form I-765 (EAD) and I-131 (AP) concurrently with I-485 or separately. Processing is typically 3–6 months.
- Case sits pending: Your case enters the backlog. USCIS will not adjudicate (approve or deny) your I-485 until a visa number is available under Chart A for your priority date.
- RFE or interview: Depending on your category and case complexity, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence or schedule an interview before final adjudication.
- Green card approval: Once your priority date becomes current on the Final Action chart and a visa number is allocated to your case, USCIS approves the I-485 and mails your green card.
Chart A vs Chart B at a Glance
| Question | Chart A (Final Action) | Chart B (Filing Date) |
|---|---|---|
| What does it unlock? | Green card approval | I-485 filing eligibility |
| Is it always available? | Yes | Only when USCIS authorizes |
| How far ahead of Chart A? | — | Typically 1–12 months |
| Does filing under it guarantee approval? | Yes (once current) | No — must wait for Chart A |
| Do you get EAD/AP? | Yes | Yes — immediately on filing |
| Can you change employers after 180 days? | Yes | Yes (AC21 portability) |
Check your Filing and Final Action dates now
Enter your country of birth, category, and priority date to see both Chart A and Chart B dates for your situation — and whether you can file today.
Check If I Can File Today →This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Data is sourced from official U.S. government publications — U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletins and USCIS I-485 Inventory reports. Analysis and projections reflect data available at time of publication and are subject to change. Immigration law is complex and subject to executive orders, regulations, and court decisions. Nothing on this site should be relied upon as legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration attorney for advice specific to your situation.