Visa Bulletin Explained in Chino: Understanding Priority Dates for Arab Immigrants
Learn how to read the monthly Visa Bulletin and track your green card wait time
Quick Answer
For Arab families in Chino and the Inland Empire waiting for green cards, understanding the monthly Visa Bulletin is essential. This guide explains how priority dates work, what the cut-off dates mean, and how to estimate your wait time. SoCal Immigration Services helps families throughout Chino track their cases and prepare when their priority date becomes current.
Reviewed for accuracy by
Maria Santos
DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience
For Arab families in Chino and the Inland Empire waiting for green cards, understanding the monthly Visa Bulletin is essential. This guide explains how priority dates work, what the cut-off dates mean, and how to estimate your wait time. SoCal Immigration Services helps families throughout Chino track their cases and prepare when their priority date becomes current.
What is the Visa Bulletin?
Key Concepts:
• Published monthly around the middle of each month
• Shows cut-off dates for family and employment categories
• Determines when you can file Form I-485 (adjustment of status)
• Applies to both people in the U.S. and those abroad
• Different dates for different countries due to per-country limits
Understanding Priority Dates
- •Family-based: When USCIS receives your I-130 petition
- •Employment-based: When DOL receives your PERM application (or I-140 if no PERM required)
- •Diversity Visa: When you're selected in the lottery
- •The date is locked - it doesn't change even if processing is slow
- •You can sometimes transfer priority dates between categories
Family Preference Categories
| Category | Who Qualifies | Typical Wait (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate Relative | Spouse, parent, child under 21 of U.S. citizen | No wait - always current |
| F1 | Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens | 8-12 years |
| F2A | Spouse and children of green card holders | 2-4 years |
| F2B | Unmarried adult children of green card holders | 6-10 years |
| F3 | Married adult children of U.S. citizens | 13-15 years |
| F4 | Siblings of adult U.S. citizens | 15-23 years |
Employment Preference Categories
| Category | Who Qualifies | Typical Wait (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Priority workers, executives, researchers | Usually current or short wait |
| EB-2 | Advanced degree professionals, NIW | 1-5 years (varies by country) |
| EB-3 | Professionals, skilled workers | 2-6 years (varies by country) |
| EB-4 | Special immigrants (religious workers, etc.) | Usually current |
| EB-5 | Investors ($800K-$1.05M) | Varies, some backlogs |
How to Read the Visa Bulletin
1. FINAL ACTION DATES (Chart A):
This is when you can get your green card. If your priority date is BEFORE this date, you can complete your process.
2. DATES FOR FILING (Chart B):
This is when you can FILE your I-485. It's usually earlier than Final Action. USCIS decides each month whether to use Chart A or B.
Example:
• Your priority date: January 15, 2020
• Chart A date: March 1, 2019 (you can't file yet)
• Chart B date: June 1, 2020 (you CAN file if USCIS accepts Chart B)
Country of Chargeability
- •All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed - Shortest waits
- •China (mainland born) - Long waits for EB categories
- •India - Very long waits, especially EB-2 and EB-3
- •Mexico - Longer waits for family categories
- •Philippines - Long waits for family categories
- •Most Arab countries fall under 'All Other Areas' - shorter waits
Good News for Arab Immigrants
• Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Palestine, etc. fall under 'All Chargeability Areas'
• No severe backlogs like India or China for employment categories
• Family-based categories move faster than for Mexico or Philippines
However, certain family categories (F3, F4) still have multi-year waits regardless of country.
When Your Priority Date is Current
- •If in U.S.: You can file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)
- •If abroad: NVC will schedule your immigrant visa interview
- •You can apply for work authorization (EAD) with pending I-485
- •You can apply for travel document (Advance Parole) with pending I-485
- •The process takes additional 6-18 months after becoming current
Visa Bulletin Movement
| Movement Type | What It Means | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Forward | Dates advance, more people can file | Check if your date is now current |
| Unchanged | Same dates as last month | Continue waiting |
| Retrogression | Dates move BACKWARD | May need to wait even if previously current |
| Current | No backlog, all can file | File immediately if eligible |
Tracking Your Priority Date
- •Check the Visa Bulletin monthly at travel.state.gov
- •Sign up for USCIS case status updates
- •Track movement patterns over time
- •Understand typical movement for your category
- •Plan ahead - don't wait until last minute when current
Priority Date Retention and Portability
Retention:
• If your I-140 was approved for 180+ days before employer withdrew
• You can use this priority date for a new I-140
Portability:
• Change jobs after I-485 pending 180+ days
• Move between EB-2 and EB-3 categories
• Cannot move between family and employment categories
Chino Priority Date Services
- •Arabic and English speaking staff
- •Priority date analysis and explanation
- •Case timeline estimation
- •Monthly Visa Bulletin updates and alerts
- •Preparation when your date approaches
- •I-485 filing assistance when current
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Q:Where do I find my priority date?
A: Your priority date is on your I-797 approval notice for the I-130 (family) or I-140 (employment). For I-130, it's the date USCIS received the petition. For employment, it's usually your PERM filing date.
Q:How long is the wait for F4 (sibling) petitions?
A: F4 sibling petitions have the longest waits, typically 15-23 years depending on country. For most Arab countries, the wait is around 15-16 years as of 2026.
Q:What happens when my date becomes current?
A: When your priority date is earlier than the cut-off date, you can file Form I-485 (if in the U.S.) or your case moves to NVC for consular processing (if abroad). This starts the final stage of the green card process.
Q:Can priority dates move backward?
A: Yes, this is called 'retrogression.' It happens when demand exceeds available visas. If you already filed I-485, your case continues processing but final approval waits until dates advance again.
Q:Do Arab countries have shorter waits than India or China?
A: Generally yes. Most Arab countries fall under 'All Chargeability Areas' which have shorter waits than backlogged countries like India, China, Mexico, and Philippines, especially for employment categories.
Q:Should I file I-485 using Chart A or Chart B?
A: USCIS announces each month whether they'll accept Chart B (Dates for Filing). Check their website when the Visa Bulletin is released. When Chart B is available, you can file earlier and get work/travel documents while waiting.
Need Help Understanding Your Priority Date in Chino?
Let our Arabic-speaking team explain your Visa Bulletin status and help you prepare for when your priority date becomes current. We serve families throughout Chino and the Inland Empire.
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