Resources & References

All data sources we use, official government links, and answers to common questions.

GreenCardClock Tools

Priority Date Predictor
Personalized green card timeline based on your country, category, and priority date
LCA Explorer
Search H-1B LCA filings by employer, job title, location, and salary
Employer Sponsorship Tracker
Research employer H-1B filing history, wages, top roles, and sponsorship score

Official Government Sources

USCIS Visa Availability & Priority Dates
Official USCIS guidance on priority dates and visa availability
State Dept Visa Bulletin
Monthly visa bulletin with Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing
USCIS Processing Times
Live processing time estimates by form and service center
DOL OFLC Performance Data
All H1B LCA and PERM disclosure data — fully public
USCIS I-485 Pending Inventory
Quarterly snapshots of pending I-485 cases by country/category
State Dept Monthly Immigrant Visa Statistics
Monthly immigrant visa issuance data, spillover figures, and annual caps by category

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Priority Date?

Your Priority Date is the date USCIS received your employer's I-140 petition (or PERM application if that was filed first). It marks your place in the immigration queue. The earlier your priority date, the sooner you become eligible for a green card.

What is the difference between the Final Action Date and the Date for Filing?

The Final Action Date (FAD) is when USCIS can actually approve your green card. The Date for Filing (DFF) is an earlier date that allows you to file your I-485 adjustment of status application while you wait — meaning you can get work authorization (EAD) and advance parole sooner.

What is the 7% per-country cap?

U.S. law limits the number of employment-based green cards any one country can receive to 7% of the annual worldwide total (~9,800 visas/year). Countries like India and China, which generate far more demand than 7%, face extreme backlogs while lower-demand countries get their visas in months.

What is visa spillover and how does it help?

When visas in one category or from one country aren't used (because demand is lower than supply), they 'spill over' to other categories. The biggest benefit comes from unused family-based visas rolling into the EB pool at year end — this can add 50,000–100,000+ visas to the EB pool, incrementally helping oversubscribed countries like India.

What is an LCA and why is it public?

A Labor Condition Application (LCA) is a form employers must file with the Department of Labor before sponsoring an H1B worker. By law (INA Section 212(n)), employers must make LCAs publicly available in their 'public access file.' The DOL also publishes all certified LCAs quarterly.

Is this website legal advice?

No. GreenCardClock is an informational tool that aggregates and visualizes publicly available government data. Nothing here constitutes legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Always consult a qualified immigration attorney for advice specific to your situation.