Free Tool — Updated with April 2026 Visa Bulletin

Green Card Calculator & Visa Bulletin Priority Date Checker

Check if your employment-based or family-sponsored priority date is current. Covers EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-5, and Family F1–F4 categories for 60+ countries. Instant results — no signup required.

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Check Your Green Card Priority Date

Using April 2026 Visa Bulletin · Updated April 2, 2026
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Employment-based (EB) or Family-sponsored (F)

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We map your country to the correct Visa Bulletin chargeability group

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Found on your I-140/I-130 receipt or approval notice, or PERM filing date

How to Use the Green Card Priority Date Calculator

This free green card calculator uses official data from the April 2026 U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin to determine your immigration eligibility status. Here is how to use it in three steps:

  1. Select your preference category — Choose from employment-based categories (EB-1 through EB-5) or family-sponsored categories (F1 through F4). If you are unsure which category applies to you, see our complete green card guide.
  2. Select your country of birth — Choose from 60+ countries. The tool automatically maps your country to the correct Visa Bulletin chargeability area. Only China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines have separate (usually longer) cutoff dates. All other countries share the same "All Other Countries" dates.
  3. Enter your priority date — This is found on your I-140 approval notice, I-130 receipt notice, or PERM filing date. The tool compares your date against both the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates charts.

Understanding Your Results

The calculator checks your priority date against two charts from the April 2026 Visa Bulletin:

✅ Current on Both Charts

Your priority date is earlier than both the Dates for Filing and Final Action cutoff dates. You can file your I-485 adjustment of status application AND have it approved this month.

📋 Can File — Approval Pending

Your date is current under Dates for Filing but not under Final Action. You can file your I-485 now and receive an EAD work permit and Advance Parole while waiting for final approval.

⏳ Not Yet Current

Your priority date has not been reached under either chart. The tool shows approximately how many months your date is behind the current cutoff so you can estimate your wait.

April 2026 Visa Bulletin — Employment-Based

USCIS accepts Dates for Filing chart for all EB categories in April 2026.

Dates for Filing
Final Action Dates
CategoryAll OtherChinaIndiaMexicoPhilippines
EB-1Current01 Dec 202301 Dec 2023CurrentCurrent
EB-2Current01 Jan 202215 Jan 2015CurrentCurrent
EB-3Current01 Jan 202215 Jan 2015Current01 Jan 2024
EB-3 OW01 Mar 202001 Jun 201615 Aug 201301 Mar 202001 Mar 2020
EB-4CurrentCurrentCurrent15 Jun 2022Current
EB-5 UnreservedCurrent15 Apr 201701 Jul 2022CurrentCurrent
EB-5 Set AsideCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent

Green Card Wait Times by Country — April 2026

The United States limits each country to 7% of the annual green card quota (approximately 9,800 visas per year across all employment-based categories). Countries with more applicants than this cap allow face backlogs. Here is the current status for key countries:

🇮🇳 India — Longest Backlogs

Indian nationals face the most severe green card backlogs worldwide. The EB-2 India Final Action Date is July 15, 2014 — meaning only applicants who filed their PERM or I-140 over 11 years ago can have their green cards approved today. The EB-3 India date is even further back at November 15, 2013. If you are an Indian national in the EB-2 or EB-3 queue, explore our Indian green card backlog survival guide and consider whether the EB-2 NIW or EB-1A categories offer a faster path.

🇨🇳 China (Mainland) — Moderate Backlogs

Chinese nationals experience moderate backlogs across most employment-based categories. The EB-2 China Final Action Date is September 1, 2021 and EB-3 is June 15, 2021 — approximately 4-5 years of backlog. The EB-5 investor category is backlogged to September 2016 for China. See our EB-5 analysis for Chinese investors.

🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇰🇷 South Korea & Others

All countries other than China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines fall under the "All Other Countries" chargeability area — and the news is good. EB-1 and EB-2 are fully current for all other countries in April 2026, meaning there is no backlog at all for these categories. EB-3 is current under Dates for Filing. If you are from Turkey, Brazil, Nigeria, South Korea, the UK, Germany, or any other non-oversubscribed country, your green card timeline is primarily determined by USCIS processing times rather than Visa Bulletin backlogs.

April 2026 Visa Bulletin Key Highlights

The April 2026 Visa Bulletin brought significant movement driven by reduced visa issuance due to the administration's travel ban and 75-country visa pause. Key changes include EB-2 going fully current for all countries except China and India, EB-2 India advancing nearly 10 months, EB-3 ROW becoming current for Dates for Filing, and F2A remaining current for all countries. The State Department has warned that retrogression is possible later in FY2026 if visa demand increases.

USCIS has confirmed that for April 2026, applicants in all employment-based and family-sponsored preference categories should use the Dates for Filing chart for I-485 filing eligibility.

Green Card Pathways: Which Category Is Right for You?

Choosing the right green card category can mean the difference between a 2-year wait and a 15-year wait. Here are the most common employment-based options:

For workers currently on temporary visas, see our transition guides: H-1B to green card, L-1 to green card, O-1 to green card, and F-1 to H-1B pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Green Card Calculator

How does the green card priority date calculator work?
Select your preference category (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-5, or Family F1-F4), choose your country of birth from 60+ countries, and enter your priority date. The calculator instantly compares your date against both the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates charts from the current Visa Bulletin to tell you if you can file, if your case can be approved, or how long you may need to wait.
What is a priority date for green card purposes?
Your priority date is the date that establishes your place in the immigration queue. For employment-based categories, it is typically the date your PERM labor certification was filed with the Department of Labor, or the date your I-140 petition was filed if no PERM was required (such as EB-1A or EB-2 NIW). For family-based categories, it is the date your I-130 petition was filed with USCIS.
What is the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing?
The Visa Bulletin has two charts. Final Action Dates indicate when your green card application can actually be approved and your permanent residence granted. Dates for Filing indicate when you can submit your I-485 adjustment of status application, even if final approval will come later. Filing early lets you get an EAD work permit and Advance Parole travel document while waiting.
When will EB-2 India priority date become current in 2026?
As of April 2026, the EB-2 India Final Action Date is July 15, 2014, and the Dates for Filing cutoff is January 15, 2015. The backlog for Indian nationals in the EB-2 category extends over 11 years. Movement depends on visa demand, annual limits, and the 7% per-country cap. The State Department has warned that retrogression is possible later in FY 2026.
What does Current mean on the Visa Bulletin?
When a category shows Current, it means there is no backlog — applicants with any priority date can file and be approved. For April 2026, EB-1 and EB-2 are current for All Other Countries (meaning every country except China, India, Mexico, and Philippines). This is the most favorable status possible.
How often does the Visa Bulletin change?
The U.S. Department of State publishes a new Visa Bulletin every month, typically in the second or third week of the preceding month. Dates can advance (move forward), remain unchanged, or retrogress (move backward). USCIS then announces whether to use the Dates for Filing or Final Action Dates chart for adjustment of status filings.
Can I file I-485 if my Dates for Filing is current but Final Action is not?
Yes. When USCIS authorizes the Dates for Filing chart (as they have for April 2026 employment-based categories), you can file your I-485 even if the Final Action Date has not reached your priority date. This gives you important benefits including an EAD work permit, Advance Parole for travel, and the ability to change employers without losing your place in line.
Which countries have the longest green card wait times?
India has the longest backlogs by far, with EB-2 and EB-3 wait times exceeding 10-12 years. China has moderate backlogs of 3-5 years for most EB categories. Mexico and the Philippines have backlogs primarily in family-based categories. All other countries typically have current or near-current dates for employment-based categories.

Related Immigration Guides & Tools

⚠️ Not Legal Advice. This green card calculator uses data from the April 2026 Visa Bulletin published by the U.S. Department of State. Results are for informational purposes only. Visa availability changes monthly and retrogression is possible. Consult a licensed U.S. immigration attorney for case-specific guidance. This tool is not affiliated with USCIS or the Department of State.