what is priority date for green card

A green card priority date is basically your place in line for an immigrant visa. For family-based cases, it is usually the date USCIS receives the I-130 petition; for employment-based cases, it is often the PERM filing date or the I-140 filing date, depending on the category.

How it works

• It sets your spot in the visa queue.

• You can move forward only when your priority date becomes current in the Visa Bulletin.

• If your date is not current yet, you usually have to wait before filing the final green card step.

Where to find it

• Family-based: on the I-130 receipt or related USCIS paperwork.

• Employment-based: on the PERM filing record or I-140-related notices, depending on the case type.

Simple example

If your petition was filed on March 10, 2024, that date may become your priority date. When the Visa Bulletin reaches March 10, 2024 or later for your category and country, your case may move ahead.

Practical note

The Visa Bulletin changes monthly, so people usually check it regularly to see whether their date is current.

Information gathered from public sources on the internet and summarized here.