How do I read the visa bulletin: charts A and B?

Community answers

The answers below are translated from the original Russian - the language of the community chats.

• A common mistake is only looking at the bulletin itself. For the consular process and for case decisions, Table A (Final Action Dates) is applicable. Whether you can apply for I-485 based on Table B is determined by USCIS each month separately.

• A real example from a chat: Table B 'is currently not relevant' - since February of one of the last fiscal years, only Table A has been in use for both application and case resolution within the USA. Check the Adjustment of Status Filing Charts page on uscis.gov before each submission.

• Regarding wait times, according to participant reports (2023-2025): retrogression has stretched EB-2 wait times from 2-3 years to 5-6, and dates move in jumps - sometimes the queue can jump six months in just one month. The community does not advise planning 'to the last minute' based on the bulletin.

• If you are on the consular route: under INA 203(g), if you do not respond to NVC notifications about visa availability for over a year, your registration may be canceled - along with your priority date. At least check in with NVC once a year.

The answers are anonymized community experience from the public chats, not legal advice. Officers may decide similar cases differently.

Sources

• The State Department visa bulletin

  Published monthly; charts A and B by category and country.

• USCIS: which chart applies to I-485 this month

  This page decides whether chart B is usable for filing.

Related on this site

• Glossary: the visa bulletin
• Glossary: priority date
• Glossary: retrogression
• Glossary: Dates for Filing

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