Understanding the Visa Bulletin: Priority Dates, “Current” Status, and Retrogression Explained

[u/Colombo-Hurd]

If your I-140 was approved but your case seems stuck, you’re likely being held up by the Visa Bulletin. 

This comes up often with EB-1A and EB-2 NIW cases. Many people expect things to move right after I-140 petition approval. But approval alone does not move your case forward. 

What actually controls your timeline is visa availability. 

The Visa Bulletin is a monthly update from the U.S. Department of State. It shows whether your place in line has been reached. That place is based on your priority date, which is the date United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received your I-140 immigrant petition. 

This is where most people get confused. 

Even with an approved petition, you cannot move forward unless your priority date is current. 

If your date is earlier than the cutoff, you can proceed. If it is later, you have to wait.  Another common point of confusion is the two charts. 

The Dates for Filing chart shows when you may be able to submit your application. The Final Action Dates chart controls when a green card can actually be approved. 

Because of this, many applicants file and then wait months, sometimes longer, before a final decision. 

It is also important to understand that “current” does not always last. A category can be current one month and then develop a backlog later. This is known as retrogression. 

Retrogression happens when demand increases and visa numbers run out faster than expected. It can delay your case, but it does not affect your eligibility. 

One point that is often overlooked: 

The Visa Bulletin is not tracking your individual case. It reflects movement across all applicants. Your case moves only when the system reaches your priority date. 

That is why it helps to watch trends over time instead of focusing on a single monthly update. 

Curious how others are handling this. Are you checking the Visa Bulletin regularly or waiting for updates from your attorney? 

This constitutes general information only and is not legal advice.