Jollux

THE KEY STAGE BEFORE I-485

Green Card Priority Date Guide

First identify this month’s filing chart, then compare your Priority Date.

The Visa Bulletin publishes Charts A and B, but USCIS decides which chart employment-based applicants may use to file Form I-485 each month.

September 2026

This Month’s Priority Dates

Chart A is the filing chart selected by USCIS this month.

EB-2

This month: Chart A
Chargeability areaChart AChart B
Rest of WorldCurrentNo change from last monthCurrentNo change from last month
China2021/09/01No change from last month2022/01/01No change from last month
IndiaUnavailableNo change from last month2015/01/15No change from last month
MexicoCurrentNo change from last monthCurrentNo change from last month
PhilippinesCurrentNo change from last monthCurrentNo change from last month

EB-3

This month: Chart A
Chargeability areaChart AChart B
Rest of World2024/09/01No change from last monthCurrentNo change from last month
China2022/01/01No change from last month2022/01/08No change from last month
India2014/01/01No change from last month2015/01/15No change from last month
Mexico2024/09/01No change from last monthCurrentNo change from last month
Philippines2023/08/01No change from last month2024/01/01No change from last month

C Current, with no cutoff date

Unavailable No visa numbers are authorized this month

View September 2026 Visa Bulletin ↗

The difference between Charts A and B

Final Action Dates

Controls final approval

A visa number is available for final approval only when your Priority Date is earlier than the Chart A cutoff.

This chart also determines filing eligibility in September 2026

Dates for Filing

May allow earlier filing

You may use Chart B to file Form I-485 only when USCIS specifically allows it that month.

Even after filing, final approval must wait for Chart A
The most important rule

First check whether USCIS selected Chart A or B for the month, then compare your Priority Date. You cannot simply choose the more favorable chart.

Can I file now?

Use your Priority Date, country of birth, and EB category for an initial check.

  1. STEP 1

    Confirm your Priority Date

    For a PERM case, the Priority Date is generally the date DOL receives ETA-9089.

  2. STEP 2

    Find the correct category

    Use your chargeability area and the EB-2 or EB-3 category on the I-140 petition.

  3. STEP 3

    Compare the selected chart

    Your Priority Date must be earlier than the cutoff. C means the category is current with no cutoff date.