Priority Date

For numerically limited visas, petitions are processed in the order of their priority dates.  For family-based visas, the priority date is the date when the petition was filed at a USCIS office or, if permissible, submitted to an Embassy or Consulate abroad.  For employment-based visas, the priority date is typically the date the labor certification application was received by the U.S. Department of Labor.

To check the current priority days for each visa category, please click here.

• Immigration processing goes electronic! Shorten your immigrant visa processing time dramatically. (Issued on 5/14/09)