EB1A Priority Date: Current Dates, Tracking & What It Means
Your priority date determines when you can get your green card. This guide explains what EB1 priority dates are, shows the current dates for all countries, and tells you exactly what to do when your date becomes current.
What is a Priority Date and Why It Matters
A priority date is essentially your "place in line" for an employment-based green card. For EB1A self-petitioners, your priority date is the date USCIS receives your I-140 petition.
The U.S. government allocates a limited number of green cards each year for each employment-based category. When demand exceeds supply (which happens for applicants born in certain countries), a backlog forms. Your priority date determines your position in that backlog.
Key point: Your priority date is based on your country of birth, not your citizenship or country of residence. If you were born in India but are a Canadian citizen, your priority date is based on the India category.
Good News for EB1A
EB1 priority dates are typically current for most countries, meaning there is often no wait time. This is one of the biggest advantages of EB1A over EB2 and EB3 categories, which can have multi-year backlogs.
Current EB1 Priority Dates (February 2026)
Below are the EB1 Final Action Dates from the February 2026 Visa Bulletin. These dates determine when you can file for adjustment of status (I-485) or have your immigrant visa interview scheduled.
| Country of Birth | EB1 Final Action Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| All Other Countries | Current | No Wait |
| China (Mainland) | 01 Feb 2022 | ~4 Year Backlog |
| India | 01 Jan 2022 | ~4 Year Backlog |
"Current" means there is no backlog — you can proceed with adjustment of status or consular processing immediately after your I-140 is approved. A specific date (e.g., "01 Feb 2022") means only petitions with a priority date before that date can proceed.
Dates Change Monthly
The Department of State updates the Visa Bulletin around the middle of each month for the following month. Dates can move forward, remain the same, or even retrogress (move backward). Always check the latest bulletin before making decisions.
How to Check Your Priority Date
There are three ways to find your priority date:
I-140 Receipt Notice (I-797C)
When USCIS receives your I-140 petition, they send a receipt notice (Form I-797C). Your priority date is typically the date USCIS received your petition, which is printed on this notice.
I-140 Approval Notice (I-797)
The approval notice also states your priority date. If you have an approved I-140, your priority date is confirmed on this document.
USCIS Online Case Status
Check your case status at the USCIS Case Status Online tool using your receipt number (SRC or WAC followed by numbers). The case details will show your priority date.
EB1 vs EB2 vs EB3 Priority Dates
To illustrate the advantage of EB1 (which includes EB1A), here's how priority dates compare across employment-based categories:
| Country | EB1 | EB2 | EB3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Other | Current | Current | 01 Sep 2022 |
| China | 01 Feb 2022 | 01 Jun 2020 | 01 Mar 2019 |
| India | 01 Jan 2022 | 01 Aug 2012 | 01 Jun 2012 |
Approximate dates for illustration. Always check the latest Visa Bulletin for current dates.
For Indian-born applicants, the difference is stark: EB1 has an approximately 4-year wait, while EB2 has a 13+ year backlog. This is one of the strongest reasons to pursue EB1A if you qualify — it can save you a decade of waiting.
What Happens When Your Priority Date Becomes Current
When your priority date "becomes current" (the Visa Bulletin date moves past your priority date), you have a green card number available. Here's what you can do:
File Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). You can also file for related benefits:
- Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Document — EAD)
- Form I-131 (Advance Parole — travel document)
- Derivative applications for spouse and children under 21
If your priority date is already current when you file your I-140, you may be able to concurrently file I-140 and I-485 together, saving months of waiting.
After your I-140 is approved and priority date is current, your case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC). You will then go through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your country.
- Complete DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) online
- Submit civil documents and financial evidence
- Complete medical examination (Form DS-2053 or DS-3025)
- Attend immigrant visa interview at the consulate
Tip: File for Dates Charts
The Visa Bulletin has two charts: "Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing." The Dates for Filing chart often has more favorable dates, allowing you to file I-485 earlier. Check the USCIS website each month to see which chart applies.
The Visa Bulletin Explained Simply
The Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin monthly. It's the official source for immigration priority dates. Here's what you need to know:
What does "Current" mean?
It means there is no backlog for that category and country combination. All approved I-140 petitions can immediately proceed to the green card stage regardless of when they were filed.
What does a specific date mean?
A date like "01 Feb 2022" means that only petitions with a priority date before February 1, 2022 can proceed. If your priority date is after that, you must wait until the date advances past yours.
What is "retrogression"?
Sometimes dates move backward. This happens when more people applied than expected and available visa numbers are running out for the fiscal year. If you've already filed I-485 and your date retrogresses, your application is paused but not lost.
When is the bulletin released?
The Department of State typically releases the new Visa Bulletin around the middle of each month, effective the first day of the following month. For example, the March 2026 bulletin would be released around mid-February 2026.
Where can I find the latest bulletin?
The official Visa Bulletin is published on the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website. You can also sign up for email notifications when new bulletins are released.
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