The EB-3 Visa Bulletin is a tool every applicant needs to follow throughout the waiting period. It is a monthly bulletin that shows which category and which country’s turn has come up to file or receive a green card. Understanding how to read this bulletin helps you stay proactive instead of waiting in the dark. This article provides a detailed guide.
This bulletin is published by the U.S. government and is the only official source. You should not rely on rumours or promises instead of reading the bulletin yourself.
Visa Bulletin EB-3 là gì
This is a visa bulletin issued by U.S. Department of State on a monthly basis. The bulletin lists cut-off dates for each immigrant visa category and each country, showing whose turn has come up in the queue.
For the employment-based category, the bulletin is the basis for knowing when an applicant can proceed to the final step. This is also why it is called the visa bulletin. Following the bulletin correctly is the only way to know the true progress of your case.
The two tables in the bulletin
The bulletin has two important tables for the employment-based category. The Final Action Dates table shows when a case can be approved and a visa issued. The Dates for Filing table shows when an applicant may file the final step, which is usually earlier.
Each month, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announces which table to use to determine who is eligible to file for adjustment of status. Therefore, you need to read both the bulletin and this agency’s announcement to know exactly which applies.
How to determine whether your turn has come up
To know whether your turn has come up, compare your priority date with the cut-off date in the corresponding table for your category and country. If your priority date is earlier than the published cut-off, your turn has come up under that table.
Be careful to read the correct row and column, as each country has a different cut-off date. People born in Vietnam usually fall under the “All Other Countries” group, unless a special factor applies. Reading the wrong row is a common mistake that leads to misunderstanding your progress.
Why the cut-off dates fluctuate
The cut-off dates in the bulletin are not fixed. They can advance when numbers are available, hold steady, or retrogress when demand exceeds the limit. Retrogression occurs when the number of visas is about to hit the annual cap for the fiscal year.
Therefore, you should not treat any single cut-off date as certain. The sensible approach is to track the trend over several months and always be ready to act once your turn comes up, rather than counting on a fixed point in time.
Summary
The EB-3 Visa Bulletin is the official bulletin for tracking your case’s progress during the waiting period. You need to understand the two tables, read the correct country row, and compare it against your priority date. You should check it monthly from the government source and be ready to act once your turn comes up.
— —
References
- U.S. Department of State, Visa Bulletin – https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – https://www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo
Read more: Overview of the EB-3 visa for US immigration · US Living Expenses: What They Include and How to Manage Them
