What is a priority date and why is it important?
Green Card
January 01, 2026
1,775 views
Answer
📋 Summary:
Priority date is when your I-140 petition was filed. It determines your place in line for Green Card. Your priority date must be "current" in the Visa Bulletin before you can file I-485 (adjustment of status).
Priority date is crucial for employment-based Green Cards:
- Definition: The date your I-140 petition was filed with USCIS
- Your place in line: Determines when you can file I-485 (adjustment of status)
- Visa Bulletin: Published monthly, shows which priority dates are "current"
- Must be current: Your priority date must be current before filing I-485
Additional Information:
- Priority date is "locked in" when I-140 is filed
- Even if I-140 is approved later, priority date stays the same
- Check Visa Bulletin monthly for your category and country
- India and China have long backlogs - priority dates move slowly
- Once current, you can file I-485 and get work permit and travel document
💡 In Other Words:
Think of priority date like a number at the DMV. When you file your I-140, you get a "number" (priority date). You have to wait until your number is called (priority date becomes current) before you can complete the next step (file I-485). For India and China, the line is very long, so you might wait years for your number to be called.
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