Current Green Card Priority Date for India for Employment-Based Permanent Residency
Updated: Apr 10
This page offers details on the current Green Card Priority Date for India across EB1, EB2, EB3, EB4, and EB5 categories. If you were born in India and your priority date on the I-797 notice for the I-140 application is earlier than the current date mentioned below, then your I-485 application is ready to proceed to the final step of the Green Card process.
The U.S. Department of State releases a monthly visa bulletin, and the dates presented here reflect the regularly updated 'Date for Filing' and 'Final Action Date' per visa bulletin. Please bookmark ⭐ this page for future reference.
Last updated: Based on the May 2024 Visa Bulletin published by the US Department of State.
Priority Date India | Current (Dates for Filing) | Current (Final Action Date) |
EB1 Priority Date India | Apr 1, 2021 | Mar 1, 2021 |
EB2 Priority Date India | May 15, 2012 | Apr 15, 2012 |
EB3 Priority Date India | Sep 15, 2012 | Aug 15, 2012 |
EB4 Priority Date India | Dec 1, 2020 | Nov 1, 2020 |
EB5 Priority Date India | Apr 1, 2022 | Dec 1, 2020 |
Priority Date India: Key Points
Typically, USCIS opts for 'Dates for Filing' to accept I-485 applications.
Dates for Filing: These are earlier dates, compared to the Final Action Date, that allow applicants to start the I-485 application process before their priority date becomes current according to the Final Action Date.
Final Action Date: Indicates when green cards can be issued based on the priority date of the immigrant petition. The significance of this increases if USCIS determines to follow the 'Final Action Date' for I-485 processing.
FAQs on Green Card Priority Date India
What is an Employment-based (EB) Green Card?
An employment-based green card, officially known as an employment-based immigrant visa or EB visa, allows foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the United States.
These green cards are typically obtained through employer-sponsored immigration processes. There are several preference categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5), each with its eligibility criteria and requirements.
EB1 Green Card (Priority Workers)
This category is for individuals with extraordinary ability in their field (such as outstanding researchers, professors, multinational executives, managers, or individuals with exceptional abilities in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics).
28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for EB4 and EB5 preferences.
EB2 Green Card (Advanced Degrees and Exceptional Ability)
This category includes professionals with advanced degrees (or their equivalent) and individuals with exceptional ability in their field. Generally, a job offer and a labor certification are required, unless the individual qualifies for a National Interest Waiver (NIW).
28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by EB1 preference.
Related: J1 visa to green card
EB3 Green Card (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers)
This category includes skilled workers (positions requiring at least two years of training or experience), professionals with a bachelor's degree, and other workers with less than two years of experience. Labor certification is generally required, and the employer must demonstrate that qualified U.S. workers are not available for the position.
28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by EB1 and EB2 preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "*Other Workers".
EB4 Green Card (Special Immigrants)
This category is for special immigrants, including religious workers, employees of certain international organizations, and certain individuals who have worked for the U.S. government abroad.
7.1% of the worldwide level.
EB5 Green Card (Investors)
This category is for immigrant investors who make a qualifying investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates jobs in the US. The investment amount and job creation requirements vary depending on the location of the investment (Regional Center Program or Direct Investment).
7.1% of the worldwide level, of which 32% are reserved as follows: 20% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a rural area; 10% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a high unemployment area; and 2% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in infrastructure projects. The remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants.
What is the Green Card Priority Date?
When you submit an immigration petition or green card I-140 application, USCIS assigns a date to your submission. This date is known as your priority date. You can find this date on the I-797 receipt/approval notice. Note that the received date and priority date are two different things. The priority date is essential because it determines your place in line for green card processing.
For example, if you're applying for an employment-based green card, there might be a limited number of green cards available each year. Your priority date establishes when you expressed your intent to immigrate, and it helps determine when you'll be eligible to move forward in the immigration process. The government processes cases in the order of their priority dates, with earlier dates getting priority.
Related: How to apply for H4 EAD?
Dates of Filing vs Final Action Date
The "Final Action Date" is a term used by the U.S. Department of State, specifically in the visa bulletin chart which is published every month. In simple terms, the final action date is the cutoff date that determines when immigrant visas (green cards) can be finally issued to the applicants.
How it works?
Priority Date: When you submit a green card I-140 application, a priority date is assigned. This date signifies when you expressed your intent to immigrate.
Dates for Filing: Applicants can file the I-485 application when their priority date is current according to the Dates for Filing. This provides you with an earlier opportunity to begin the I-485 process.
Final Action Date: The Visa Bulletin contains charts with final action dates for different categories and countries. These dates are essentially waiting periods. If your priority date is earlier than the final action date listed in the Visa Bulletin for your category and country, it means that a visa is available, and you can proceed with the final steps of your immigration process.
Every month, USCIS determines which date to follow. Most of the time, they go with the "Dates for Filing."
How much time after the priority date is current?
You have one year after your priority date becomes current to proceed with the next steps in the green card application process. If you don't apply within this timeframe, it may be perceived as though you have opted not to pursue the green card, and the next person in the queue may be given the opportunity. Therefore, it is advisable to regularly check for updates on the current green card priority date.
My priority date is current now what?
Once your priority date is current, that means your wait time is over, and you can move forward with the next steps in the green card application process. Depending on your current address and eligibility for adjustment of status or consular processing, you will be filing one of the following:
Once the priority date becomes current how long to get a green card?
For employment-based green cards (adjustment of status or consular processing), the processing time for 80% of cases is between 9 and 12 months.
How long to get a green card under EB2 or EB3 category (India)?
About 13 to 16 years. There are multiple steps involved in green card processing, and the processing time for each step can fluctuate depending on several factors. Here is a rough timeline you can expect:
PERM: ~ 6 to 9 months
Form I-140: ~ 6 to 9 months (without premium processing)
Wait time for priority date ~ 10 to 13 years
USCIS/ NVC processing ~ 9 to 12 months
