Priority Date Estimator

Estimated green card timeline based on historical I-485 inventory, visa bulletin, and spillover data.

About this tool: what it uses, who it is for, and what it is not

The Priority Date Estimator translates your country, employment-based category, and priority date into an estimated green card timeline. It combines the latest State Department Visa Bulletin, USCIS I-485 inventory reports, and historical priority date movement to produce three scenarios (conservative, base case, optimistic) rather than a single false-precision number.

  • What it uses: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing from the monthly Visa Bulletin, quarterly I-485 pending inventory, annual I-140 approval counts, and tracked disruption events (travel bans, consular slowdowns, processing freezes).
  • Who it is for: Employment-based applicants in EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 who want a realistic planning range instead of a guess. Works for India, China, Mexico, Philippines, and Rest of World.
  • What it is not: A guarantee. Timelines can shift significantly when policy changes, courts rule, retrogression occurs, or USCIS processing speed changes. Treat the output as a planning input, not legal advice.

Data from travel.state.gov (Visa Bulletin), USCIS I-485 inventory reports, and DOL OFLC. Not legal advice.

Estimates are based on publicly available USCIS and DOL data. Results are informational only, not legal advice. Actual dates may vary significantly.
Where are you in the green card process?
We use this to show you the right timeline. If you are consular processing (DS-260), choose Planning for now. Consular ETA support is coming.

What do you want to estimate?

Your Profile

Share:PostShareReddit

Current Bulletin Dates

Final Action Date (FAD)Jul 2014
Dates for Filing (DFF)Jan 2015
I-485 Inventory~28,365
Annual Base Flow~7,235/yr

Enter your details

Fill in the form and click Estimate to see your estimated timeline.

Understanding Priority Date Estimates

Your priority date is the foundation of your green card timeline. Understanding how estimates work helps set realistic expectations.

What is a Priority Date?

Your priority date is typically the date your PERM labor certification was filed (or I-140 filed for EB-1). It determines your place in the green card queue. When the Visa Bulletin's cutoff date passes your priority date, you become eligible to file.

How Estimates Work

Estimates are based on historical visa bulletin movement patterns, current I-485 inventory data, I-140 demand analysis, and spillover projections. Three scenarios (conservative, base, optimistic) account for uncertainty in future visa allocation.

Final Action Date vs Date for Filing

The Final Action Date (FAD) determines when USCIS can approve your green card. The Date for Filing (DFF) determines when you can submit your I-485 application. Being current under DFF does not mean approval is imminent. You still need to wait for the FAD to reach your priority date. Filing early lets you get work authorization (EAD) and travel documents while waiting.

Important Limitations

Estimates are based on historical patterns and current data. Policy changes, executive orders, retrogression, and legislative action can significantly alter timelines. These estimates are not guarantees and do not constitute legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Data sourced from USCIS I-485 inventory reports, DOS Visa Bulletin, and DOL OFLC filings. Estimates are informational only and do not constitute legal advice.

Questions? Ask here