This page shows the current processing time for I-131 applications. The data is refreshed daily based on USCIS processing time. To begin, refer to the first three letters of your I-131 application receipt number to identify the service center code handling your case. Then, see their processing times. California Service Center (Code: WAC) Nebraska Service Center (Code: LIN) Texas Service Center (Code: SRC) Vermont Service Center (Code: EAC) National Benefits Center (Code: MSC) The "Currently Processing" field shows the date range for applications actively being processed. I-131 Processing Time California Service Center (Code: WAC) Nebraska Service Center (Code: LIN) Texas Service Center (Code: SRC) Vermont Service Center (Code: EAC) National Benefits Center (Code: MSC) Next: I-485 processing time Related Posts ✔ Contacting congressman for expedited request ✔  Current green card priority date for India ✔  I-485 processing time for family-based Related Topics

The sponsor letter for parents for a US (B1/B2) tourist visa should include the sponsor's name, occupation, income, address, contact information, and the reason for sponsorship. Here, I am sharing the sponsor letter that I used for my parents' visitor visa to the US Consulate. Sponsorship Letter for Parents Tourist Visa (USA) Modify the highlighted fields according to your details. Please feel free to ask questions in the comment section below if you have any doubts about the sponsorship letter for a tourist visa in the USA. [Date] The U.S. Consulate General, [U.S. Consulate Address] Sub: Request for Visitor Visa (B1/B2) for my parents Dear Sir/Madam, I, [Sponsors Name] , work as a [Enter Occupation] at [Enter Company] located at [Company Address] . I would like to invite my parents, [Visitors/Fathers Name] and [Visitors/Mothers Name] residing at [Home Country Address] to visit me for [6 months] . The purpose of their travel to the U.S. is to visit me and visit some other tourist locations in America. During their visit, they will stay with me at my residential address listed below. I have enough funds in the bank to cover all the expenses related to my parents' visit to the U.S. I am employed full-time with an annual salary of [Enter Salary] per year. I will bear all their expenses: round trip airfare from New Delhi to the U.S., housing, flight tickets for travel within the U.S., health insurance , food, and all other personal expenses. I am enclosing the following supporting documents for visa issuance. Copy of I-797 [H1B] approval notice or [I-129S for L1] or [DS-2019 copy for J1] or [PR copy for Green card holders] Copy of passport and visa pages Latest I-94 form Employment verification letter Copy of the last three pay stubs Latest Bank statement for proof of funds ($10,000 or more): [Bank's Name] Invitation Letter Copy of spouse's passport (if you are sponsoring in-laws) Copy of marriage certificate (if you are sponsoring in-laws) I would appreciate it if you grant my parents [Enter Visitor Names] a US visitor visa (B-2) to visit me and visit other places in America. I will personally make sure that they leave the USA on time, before the expiration of their authorized stay. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me at [Enter Phone] . Thank you in advance for your time and consideration in this matter. Sincerely, [Sponsor's Name] [Signature] [Sponsor's Address] [Sponsor's Phone] Related: How to apply for B1/B2 visa for parents?   Once you have prepared the sponsorship letter for the consulate, I recommend writing an additional invitation letter for your parents, specifying the purpose of their visit, such as tourism, pregnancy, graduation ceremony, or any other relevant reason. Detailed information on the B1/B2 invitation letter can be found in the next blog post. Next: B1/B2 visa for parents Related Posts ✔ Understanding US culture before your first visit ✔ B1/B2 visa length of stay ✔ How to extend a B2 visa beyond 6 months? Related Topics

The average processing time for N-400 application which is used for Naturalization (U.S. Citizenship) across 91 USCIS field offices in the past six months is 8 to 10 months . To get started, use the USCIS field office locator to find your specific field office. Then, refer to the following table for N-400 processing times at individual field offices. Table of Contents: N-400 Processing Time View by Months View by Processing Dates N-400 Processing Time (by Months) N-400 Processing Time (by Date Range) The following table shows the date ranges that are currently being processed at each field office for the N-400 application. Next: GC Calculator Related Posts ✔ How to apply for an OCI card ✔ How to get H4 EAD in 15 days   ✔ Current green card priority dates for India Related Topics

The average N-600 processing time for the certificate of citizenship (naturalization) across 91 USCIS field offices is 7 to 13 months . To get started, use the USCIS field office locator to find your specific field office. Then, refer to the following table for N-600 processing times at individual field offices. Table of Contents: N-600 Processing Time View by Months View by Processing Dates N-600 Processing Time (by Months) N-600 Processing Time (by Date Range) The following table shows the date ranges that are currently being processed at each field office for the N-600 application. Next: B1/B2 visa for parents Related Posts ✔ How to apply for an OCI card ✔ How to get H4 EAD in 15 days   ✔ Current green card priority dates for India Related Topics

The C09 EAD category is for individuals who have applied for adjustment of status (Form I-485) to become a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) in the United States. This category allows applicants to work legally in the U.S. while their adjustment of status I-485 application is pending. Table of Contents: Green Card EAD (Category C09) Processing time How to apply? Cover letter FAQs EAD Category C09 Processing Time The above table shows the current processing time for I-765 applications under the C09 category at each service center. The following table shows the current processing date range during which 90% of applications are approved or completed at various USCIS service centers. How to Apply for Green Card EAD (C09 Category)? To apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) under the C09 category, you need to follow these steps: Complete Form I-765 Download and complete Form I-765  from the USCIS website. Follow these I-765 instructions  to fill out the form. On the form indicate that you are applying under category C09. Do not forget to sign the form (in original). Collect Required Documents for EAD Application (C09 Category) Form I-485 receipt notice. 2 recent passport-size photos. Passport and visa copy. Copy of last EAD (if applicable). I-94 copy. Marriage/Birth certificate (if applicable). Cover letter (optional). Filing Fee The fee is 0$  if you are filing an initial EAD under the C09 category so no need to write a check. It's good to check the USCIS fee calculator  to check the latest fee as these might change in the future. Cover Letter (Optional) This is optional if you want to include a cover letter with your EAD application or not, but it will help USCIS officers understand your case quickly. A sample is provided in the next section. Mailing Address Refer to the " If you have a pending adjustment of status application " section on the USCIS website for the latest filing address. After submission, you will receive a receipt notice by mail at the address provided by you in the EAD application. You may be required to attend a biometrics appointment if USCIS requests it. Once EAD is approved, USCIS will mail your EAD card to you. Refer to the first three letters of the receipt notice to determine the USCIS service center and processing time for your application. Cover Letter for Green Card EAD (C09 Category) [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date] USCIS [Address of the USCIS Service Center] Subject: Application for Employment Authorization Document (Form I-765) under C09 Category Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to submit my application for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) under the C09 category, as my Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is currently pending. Please find enclosed the following documents in support of my application: Completed Form I-765. Form I-485 Receipt Notice (Form I-797). Two Passport-Sized Photos. Copy of Passport Biographic Page and Visa. Copy of I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. Copy of Previous EAD (if applicable). Copy of Birth/Marriage Certificate (if applicable). Optional: Form G-1145 (E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance). I have carefully reviewed my application and have provided all necessary documentation. If you need any further information or documentation, please contact me at the provided phone number or email address. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Your Signature] [Your Printed Name] FAQs on Green Card EAD What are the eligibility criteria for the C09 EAD category? To be eligible for the C09 EAD category, you must have a pending Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). What is the application process to obtain EAD under the C09 category? To obtain an EAD under the C09 category while your I-485 application is pending, you need to file Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) with USCIS. What is the validity of EAD under the C09 category? The EAD is typically valid for one year but can be renewed if the adjustment of status application is still pending. What's the filing fee for the C09 EAD category? There is no filing fee for the initial EAD application under the C09 category. Can I travel when my I-485 application is pending? You need to apply for advance parole ( Form I-131 ) if you wish to travel outside the U.S. and return without abandoning your adjustment of status application. Next: How to expedite I-485? Related Posts ✔ I-485 processing times ✔ How to get H4 EAD in 15 days?   ✔ How to expedite EAD? ✔ Current green card priority dates for India Related Topics

Currently, the average processing time for Form I-765 across all USCIS service centers, including all categories, is 6.4 months for 80% of cases and 9.0 months for 100%. I-765 Processing Time This page shows the current processing time for I-765 applications in different categories at each service center. The data is refreshed frequently based on USCIS processing time. To begin, refer to the first three letters of your I-765 application receipt number, to identify the service center code handling your case. California Service Center (Code: WAC) Nebraska Service Center (Code: LIN) Texas Service Center (Code: SRC) Vermont Service Center (Code: EAC) Potomac Service Center (Code: YSC) National Benefits Center (Code: MSC) The " Currently Processing " field shows the date range for applications actively being processed. California Service Center Nebraska Service Center Texas Service Center Vermont Service Center Potomac Service Center National Benefits Center Next: How to expedite EAD? Related Posts ✔ Contacting congressman for expedited request ✔  Current green card priority date for India ✔  How to apply for H4 EAD? ✔  H4 and EAD concurrent filing Related Topics

Updated on Oct 15, 2024:  Based on the Nov 2024 Visa Bulletin  published by the US Department of State. This page shows the current Green Card Priority Dates for India across EB1, EB2, EB3, EB4, and EB5 categories. Suppose your priority date on the I-797 notice for your I-140 application is earlier than the current priority date. In that case, 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 provided here reflect the regularly updated 'Date for Filing' and 'Final Action Date' per visa bulletin. Bookmark ⭐ (press ctrl + D) / save this page for future reference. Priority Date India Current (Dates for Filing) Current (Final Action Date) EB1 Priority Date India Apr 15, 2022 Feb 01, 2022 EB2 Priority Date India Jan 01, 2013 Jul 15, 2012 EB3 Priority Date India Jun 08, 2013 Nov 01, 2012 EB4 Priority Date India Feb 01, 2021 Jan 01, 2021 EB5 Priority Date India Apr 01, 2022 Jan 01, 2022 Key Points Use ' Dates for Filing ' to file the I-485 application (according to the USCIS Nov 2024 Visa Bulletin). Dates for Filing:  Generally, these are earlier dates, compared to the Final Action Date, that allows applicants to start the I-485 application process before their priority date becomes current. The significance of this increases if USCIS determines to use this for I-485 processing. Final Action Date: These dates indicate when green cards can be finally issued/approved based on the applicant's priority date. Table of Contents: Green Card Priority Date India Introduction Green Card Backlog for Indians Calculating Wait Time for India Annual Cap for India Pending Applications EB1 India Predictions EB2 India Predictions EB3 India Predictions FAQs Green Card Backlog for Indians The following table and chart show the green card backlog for each employment-based category for Indians: The backlog only shows the time difference between today's and the current green card priority date (dates for filing) for Indians. This does not mean the priority date will become current in the given time frame. Priority date movement depends upon several factors explained in the next section. Green Card Wait Time for India To calculate the green card wait time for India in the employment-based categories (EB1, EB2, EB3, EB4, and EB5), or how priority dates will move, we need to understand three things: India's Annual Limit: How many green cards can be issued annually for Indians under employment-based categories? Spillovers: How does spillover from other categories affect the number of available visas? Pending Applications:  How many I-485 applications are currently pending? Related: How to apply for a B1/B2 visa for parents? Green Card Annual Cap The U.S. issues 140,000 green cards annually across all employment-based (EB) categories. However, unused family-based green cards from the previous fiscal year are also added to employment-based green cards, and these additional numbers can sometimes make a huge difference. For example, in FY 2022, from Oct 1, 2021, to Sept 30, 2022, the employment-based green card limit was 281,507 (more than double the typical limit of 140,000) due to unused family-sponsored visa numbers from FY 2021 being added to the employment-based limit for FY 2022. This was during COVID-19. You can refer to the following table for the last 3 years of data for total employment-based green cards: Related: H1B, H4 and H4 EAD concurrent filing Green Card Annual Limit for India For this calculation, let's use the standard limit of 140,000. With a 7% per-country cap, Indians can receive approximately 9,800 green cards annually. This limit applies to all employment-based categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5). Further, each category has its limit; for example, EB1, EB2, and EB3 each have 28.6%, while EB4 and EB5 each have 7.1%. Related: How to renew an Indian passport in the US? Spillovers Typically, unused green cards from the EB4 and EB5 categories spill over to the EB1 category, thus increasing the number available for EB1. Additionally, unused family-based visas from the previous fiscal year are sometimes added to the employment-based visa annual limits, typically benefiting the EB1 category. As a result, the other EB categories rarely get a chance to utilize these additional visas. In short, EB1 green cards are typically higher than the standard annual limit due to these spillovers. We will use the standard limit of 140,000 for India's green card wait time prediction. Let's assume that, the maximum number of green cards that can be issued under EB1 is approximately 2,803 per year (excluding spillovers). One thing to note is that the number of available visas can significantly impact these predictions. If the number of available visas exceeds the annual quota, it depends on USCIS's capacity to process them promptly. For example, if there are 5000 available visas for an employment-based category due to spillovers or other factors, USCIS can process more than 3000 visas, which exceeds the annual limit. Related: How to apply for OCI for minors? Pending I-485 Applications USCIS publishes reports for these pending applications, you can find them on the USCIS website . In brief, the report provides an overview of the estimated volume of pending adjustment of status applications in the employment-based preference categories currently in the USCIS inventory. Every application on the report with a priority date earlier than the given priority date is ahead in the queue for adjustment of status. I will go through each category individually to predict the wait time. Let's begin with the EB1 green card predictions for India. Related: I-485 processing time for family-based , and employment-based EB1 Green Card Prediction for India For India, EB1 category green cards will reach Dec 2022 priority dates in approximately 3 years and 5 months . Calculation: Indians can receive 2803  green cards annually under the EB1 category. According to the USCIS report, approximately 9,582 applications are pending between Apr 2022 and Dec 2022. Dividing these two will give you an EB1 green card prediction of 3 years and 5 months . Note: In the latest report, the available visas for the EB1 category are 3,904 , which means we should use a higher value instead of the annual limit of 2803, but here, we are trying to predict the normal scenario without any spillovers. Based on the USCIS work capacity for available visas, sometimes, you might see the EB1 priority dates moving faster. Description Calculations Current EB1 priority date for India (Dates For Filing) Apr 15, 2022 Available EB1 visas 3904 Awaiting EB1 availability 10957 Total EB1 applications until Dec 2022 14861 Pending EB1 applications between Apr 2022 and Dec 2022 9582 EB1 green cards issued per year for India 2803 EB1 prediction for India to reach the Dec 2022 priority date 9582 / 2803 = 3 years and 5 months After your EB1 priority date becomes current, you must file an I-485 application called an adjustment of status (if you are applying from within the US). This is the final step of green card processing. The processing time for the I-485 will depend on your zip code and USCIS field office location, which you can calculate using the link provided. The following chart shows how many EB1 applications are waiting for each month between 2020 and 2022. You can see there was a large increase in the number of EB1 applications filed in 2022. Unfortunately, the EB1 applications for 2022 are huge, so it might take some time to move. Related: B1/B2 visa interview questions for parents EB2 Green Card Prediction for India For India, EB2 category green cards to reach Dec 2014 priority dates will take approximately 10 years and 4 months . Description Calculations Current EB2 priority date for India (Dates For Filing) Jan 01, 2013 Available EB2 visas 1,548 Awaiting EB2 availability 32,270 Total EB2 applications until Dec 2014 33,818 Pending EB2 applications between Jan 2013 and Dec 2014 29,037 EB2 green cards issued per year for India 2,803 EB2 prediction for India to reach the Dec 2014 priority dates 29037 / 2803 = 10 years and 4 months Indians can receive a maximum of approximately 2,803  green cards annually under the EB2 category, typically with no spillovers to add as spillovers are mostly consumed by the EB1 category. Now, if you refer to the USCIS report, approximately 29,037  applications are pending until Dec 2014. Dividing both will give you the EB2 prediction of ~10 years and 4 months assuming there is no retrogression. With retrogression (backward movement), it's impossible to predict the wait time. The following chart shows how many EB2 applications are waiting for each month between 2012 and 2014. EB3 Green Card Prediction for India For India, EB3 category green cards to reach Dec 2014 priority dates will take approximately 4 years and 11 months . Description Calculations Current EB3 priority date for India (Dates For Filing) Jun 08, 2013 Available EB3 visas 1,695 Awaiting EB3 availability 16,426 Total EB3 applications until Dec 2014 18,121 Pending EB3 applications between Jun 2013 and Dec 2014 13,743 EB3 green cards issued per year for India 2,803 EB3 prediction for India to reach the Dec 2014 priority dates 13,743 / 2803 = 4 years and 11 months Indians can receive a maximum of approximately 2,803  green cards annually under the EB3 category, typically with no spillovers here. Now, if you refer to the USCIS report, approximately 13,743  applications are pending until Dec 2014. Dividing both will give you an EB3 prediction of 4 years and 11 months . EB3 predictions are currently more favorable, but as you know, EB2 applicants can downgrade to EB3, which will automatically balance out wait times over time. The following chart shows how many EB3 applications are waiting for each month between 2012 and 2014. 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 abilities 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. 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. Related: How to apply for a B1/B2 visa for parents My green card priority date is current now what? Once your priority date is current, 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: USCIS processing, Form I-485, also called adjustment of status if the current address is within the US. NVC processing, Form DS-260, also called consular processing if the current address is outside the US. Related: How did I expedite my I-485 application? 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 average I-485 processing time for 80% of cases is between 9 and 12 months. Check the I-485 processing time for the employment-based category. Check the I-485 processing time for the family-based category. 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 processing time : ~ 8 to 12 months (without premium processing) Wait time for priority date ~ 10 to 13 years USCIS/ NVC processing ~ 9 to 12 months Next: Priority Date Calculator Related Posts ✔ How to expedite H4 EAD? ✔ How to apply for a minor's passport? ✔ N-600 processing time for naturalization Related Topics

I am sharing a real-life example of the name “FNU” (meaning First Name Unknown). If you don't have a surname (blank/empty surname which is quite common in India) on your passport, what issues or problems you might encounter in the United States, and what are the potential solutions? I am going to cover each problem one by one, starting with how to fill out DS-160 for FNUs, having an FNU name on a US visa, booking FNU airline tickets, encountering FNU on the I-94 form, dealing with the SSN office, dealing with an FNU name on a Driver's License, getting an EAD card, FNU's I-9 employment verification (e-verify), understanding how to file taxes, buying a house or car in the US, getting credit cards, securing loan, etc. Table of Contents: Fnu name Fnu Indian name Fnu problem solution Fnu meaning DS-160 form Fnu on visa Airline tickets I-94 form for Fnu Fnu in SSN Fnu name change in SSN Driver's license I-9 for Fnu EAD & green card Buying a car, or house, and getting a credit card/ bank account Tax filing No name given vs. Fnu FAQs How to change FNU in a US visa? What is the solution for an FNU on a driver's license at the DMV? Conclusion I will try to cover everything you need to know if your name has FNU. It's been over 10 years now and FNU is not a show-stopper so far, but yes it's a pain. FNU Indian Name Well, FNU is not an Indian name but a significant number of FNU names come from Indian origin. It's due to the practice of having only a first name in India, where the last name is not mandatory. However, when you travel to foreign countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, etc. surnames become mandatory and many Indian visa applicants without surnames often receive visas with FNU as the first name and their actual name as the last name. That's the starting point where you will encounter the FNU name. Related: How to file a B1/B2 tourist visa for parents? FNU Problem Solution How did I become familiar with "FNU" name problems and solutions? Well, my husband has only one name (a single name like Rihanna, the Barbadian singer) and he is called "FNU" (pronounced as "fuh-new") in the United States. Due to this, I am aware of most of the problems which FNU might encounter. Throughout the blog, I will provide examples using my name. I am here to share our journey, all the problems we faced with the FNU name, and what solutions we employed. I aim to help others navigate FNU name-related problems. Please feel free to comment if you are in a similar situation with the name FNU, I will try to answer those questions to the best of my experience. Related: Things to know about US culture for first-time visitors 01. FNU Meaning FNU name means "First Name Unknown", pronounced as “fuh-new”. If you don't have a last name i.e. it’s blank/missing on your passport then your US visa will be issued as "FNU". Your first name will be issued as FNU and your given name on your passport will become your last name on the US visa. Case 01: If your Indian passport has only one name like the Given name: "Hina" and Last name: then your US visa will have your First name: "FNU", and Last name: "Hina" so your name becomes "FNU Hina". Case 02: Suppose your Indian passport has a name like the Given name: "Hina Singh" and Last name: then your US visa will have your First name: "FNU", and Last name: "Hina Singh" so your name will be "FNU Hina Singh". If you fall into case 2, it's good to rectify your name on your Indian passport so that your Given name is "Hina" and your Last name is "Singh". Do not get yourself into the FNU hassle. Fix it before it becomes more complicated. Indian Passport Reissue in India - Apply for the re-issue of a passport in India. This link is specific to passport renewal for parents, but the overall process would remain the same for your situation. You can also check the appointment availability here . Indian Passport Reissue in the US - Apply for a name split in the US. This blog is specifically written for FNU's name change, or if you want to add the spouse's surname. 02. FNU in DS-160 Form Form DS-160 is at the heart of all the problems. If your passport lacks a last name, then this will be the first time you will encounter the term “FNU“ while completing the DS-160 form. Whether you are applying for a tourist visa or a work visa, if your passport doesn't have a last name, you'll need to enter 'FNU' as your first name and your given name as your last name. There's no alternative solution for this issue (except rectifying the passport name by adding a last name, as discussed in case 2 earlier). In many instances, making this correction within such a short timeframe is challenging, so let us just move forward. As shown in the DS-160 form screenshot above, you can see the explanation in the “Help: Given Names” section, so nothing to worry about, just fill out the DS-160 form as instructed. Related post: Sample sponsorship letter for a B1/B2 tourist visa Case 01: If you have one name then it will be filled in Surname. For example, if the name is just “Hina” then the Surname will be “Hina” and the Given Name will be filled as FNU. Case 02: If your name is “Hina Singh” as the given name then it will be filled in Surname as “Hina Singh” and Given Name as FNU so in this case, your name becomes "FNU Hina Singh". Even if you fill out DS-160 with your first name as “Hina” and last name as “Singh”, it doesn’t matter, you will get the visa as "FNU Hina Singh". USCIS will process your application as FNU. Result: FNU Hina or FNU Hina Singh 03. FNU on Visa After filling out the DS-160 and going through the visa interview process you will be granted a US visa. There will be no issues here. You might see minor hiccups during biometrics or the interview process where they will try to find your name, but nothing to worry about. Most of the officers are aware of the FNU name and you will get through this. Related: Tourist visa interview questions When you get the visa, notice the name printed on your US visa, Your first name will be FNU and your last name will be your actual name. We are just scratching the surface and this is just the beginning but it should not be a problem as long as you are comfortable with your new name "FNU". Even if you are not, get used to it. 😊 Result: FNU Hina or FNU Hina Singh 04. FNU Airline Ticket Once you get your US visa, the next step is to get the airline tickets. Case 01: This could be a little tricky if you have a single name like just “Hina”. You should talk to airlines about how they handle situations like this because each airline has its own policy. Sometimes they prefer doing the same as visa like “Fnu Hina” but sometimes they might even do “Hina Hina”, sometimes “Mrs. Hina”, "Hina . " (dot in the last name), or "Hina LNU" (Last Name Unknown), or "Unknown Hina". It varies depending on airline policies for domestic and international travel, or which country you are traveling to. So talk to the airlines before booking your tickets. For example, if you are booking tickets with Air India and you don't have a last name, they would ask you to repeat the first name in the last name field like "Hina Hina" for domestic travel, "FNU Hina" for international travel to the US & Canada, "Unknown Hina" for Australia, "Hina Hina" for UAE and so on. You can find the Air India details in the below link. I have also included a few other airline resources that might help you while booking the tickets. Air India Qatar Airways KLM Singapore Airlines Emirates United Airlines Etihad However, the safest bet will be "Fnu Hina" i.e. same as your US visa. We have traveled to the US with Qatar, KLM, United, and Delta with "FNU" as the first name and never faced any issues. Case 02: For names like “Hina Singh” as a given name and “blank” surnames on passports, do not over-complicate it. Book your flight tickets with your First name as "Hina" and your Last name as "Singh". Temporarily ignore what’s printed on the visa i.e. "FNU Hina Singh". So in this case, your air ticket will be booked as "Hina Singh" and will match your passport. Again check the airline name policy before you make final bookings. I have mentioned the links above, these policies might change with time. Result: Varies for each airline 05. I-94 form for FNU As soon as your immigration is done at the US port of entry your electronic I-94 should be ready. If not, give it at least 24 hours. You need to go to the Department of Homeland Security website to download your most recent I-94 form. Finding your I-94 could be tricky if you don’t have a surname and it depends upon the immigration officer who did your immigration at the US airport (port of entry). When you look up your name for the I-94 form you can try the following combinations. I understand it's funny sometimes but that's how it is! Case 00: Rare case scenario but if you have a name like "FNU Hina Singh" on the visa, try searching with the first name as "Hina" and the last name as "Singh" and you might be lucky to find your name as "Hina Singh" on I-94. But honestly speaking this is not good news, technically if your name on I-94 is "FNU Hina Singh" which matches your US visa, it's good for you. Try contacting CBP customer service and request them to keep it the same. Case 01: Search with your actual name in the last name (not in the first name). Remember that your first name is FNU and your last name is your actual name now. For example ”FNU Hina” in this case. Related: H1B vs L1 visa: Which is better for the green card? Case 02: If you can’t find I-94 with FNU then try searching with LNU in your last name and your actual name as the first name. For example “Hina LNU”. LNU stands for "Last Name Unknown". As I mentioned it all depends upon the immigration officer what he entered during your immigration. Case 03: If not, try searching like "Unknown Hina" or "No name given Hina". Try the first name as "Unknown" or "No name given". Suppose your name is shown as “Hina LNU” or "Unknown Hina" or "No name given Hina" in I-94 then contact CBP customer service and try to get the name same as your visa i.e. “FNU Hina”. Explain on call that you want to keep the name as your visa and they should understand your situation. Note: This is important to keep the names in sync across all the legal documents in the US. So it's better to start from I-94. The ultimate goal is to keep "FNU " across all the US documents wherever possible. Avoid having different names on different documents like LNU, "No Name Given", or "Unknown" and just stick to FNU. Trust me this will make your life easier. Result: FNU Hina or FNU Hina Singh Related: How to apply for an OCI card for minors? 06. FNU in SSN Now, the next step is to get your social security. You need to apply for a social security number within 2 weeks of arrival if you are on a work visa. Social Security Administration has a different "system" from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which issues you I-94. Social Security Administration doesn't allow FNU or similar terms in your name. They will not consider "FNU" which is mentioned on your visa. They will just check the name on your passport and I-94. But nothing to worry about, the SSN office has a better solution for this type of situation and I wish DHS had a similar option. The good thing is SSN system accepts single names. Their system has the option of the applicant having a single name or no surname. You can read about this on the Social Security Administration website . It states that if the individual has a single name and the immigration document shows FNU (First Name Unknown) or another acronym indicating the person does not have a first name, process the SSN in the applicant’s single name (Case 1). Case 01: Suppose you have a single name like "Hina" then you will be issued an SSN card as "Hina". But on the SSN envelope letter (which you will receive from the Social Security Administration) right above your mailing address, your name will be mentioned as "Unknown Hina" which is okay. There is nothing to worry about that. Result: Hina Case 02: Imagine your name is "Hina Singh," and your surname is blank. In this case, your issued SSN will be "Hina Singh." Although it may seem like the SSN processed your first name as "Hina" and last name as "Singh," it's processed as a single name in their system same as Case 01. However, it will appear perfectly on the SSN card. Result: Hina Singh Again, avoid names like "Hina LNU", "No name given Hina", "Unknown Hina" or "Hina Singh LNU" on SSN. If you get an SSN card like this please try to get it fixed. SSN card as "Hina" or "Hina Singh" is good for you. FNU Name Change in SSN To fix your name in your SSN, and to get rid of FNU, you would need an updated passport with the correct name, updated visa stamp, updated I-94, and updated immigration document like your petition I-797 if you are on an H1B visa, or L1, or updated DS-2019 if you are J1 visa or updated I-20 if you are on F1 visa. Read more . 07. FNU Driver's License The next step is to visit DMV to get a driver's license. In the US, it's tough to live without a driver's license as there is very limited public transport service depending upon which city you live in, plus it is costly to use transport services like Uber, Lyft, etc. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has an online application where you will fill in your name details before visiting the DMV office. Here is the trick, in the application form, you will notice First Name is not a mandatory field. Last Name is a mandatory field though (see the red asterisk * next to LAST NAME in the following screenshot). This is a screenshot of the DMV online application form. When you fill out the DMV form, keep your First Name and enter your complete given name as your Last Name. For example, if your name is "FNU Hina" on your visa and "Hina" on your SSN, then your name on the DL application form will be First Name: and Last Name: Hina. Similarly, for "FNU Hina Singh", keep the first name blank and enter Hina Singh as the last name. Once the DMV person processes your application for fingerprint and photograph - this will go smoothly as far as your name in your SSN is "Hina" (case 1) or "Hina Singh" (case 2). Do not fill in "FNU Hina" or "FNU Hina Singh" in the DMV form, this will mismatch with your SSN and your application will not go through due to SSN mismatch. The DMV officer will ask you to visit the SSN office and get your name fixed, but the SSN office does not accept FNU so don't waste your time there. If your SSN has names like "Hina LNU", "No name given Hina", "Unknown Hina" or "Hina Singh LNU" it's a problem, and the DMV officer will face a problem while submitting your application as your name will not match with Social Security Administration records and he will ask you to get your name fixed in SSN . If everything goes smoothly, your driver's license will be issued as First Name: Last Name: Hina, My husband's driver's license is the same. He has nothing in his first name, it's literally . Weird right? But that's how it is. I have not seen DL with cases like a blank first name but a last name as "Hina Singh" but I would not be surprised if someone has. Comment if you have a license with an empty first name and both the names in the last name. Result: Hina or Hina Singh Same first and last name on DL Another case we have seen is the same first and last name like "Hina Hina". It was like this when my husband was in New Jersey, but later when my husband moved to California, DMV didn't accept the same first and last name as SSN verification was failing. New Jersey DMV (manager) was nice and he manually approved the case (even after the SSN mismatch), so even if your SSN has "Hina", a driver's license can be issued as "Hina Hina", it all depends upon the mercy of DMV officer. Result: Hina Hina Try talking to the DMV's office manager, if not just submit your application as an empty first name as suggested earlier and you should be fine. DMV has to process your case. There is no way out. As far as your SSN has a single name, the DMV application will match your SSN and you will get a DL with an empty first name. Related: How to fix FNU name? 08. I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification for FNU I-9 employment verification will be required on your first day of joining if you are going to work in the US. As far as your name on your SSN is "Hina" and your visa has "FNU Hina" you should be fine. Just enter "FNU" in your first name and "Hina" in your last name while doing the I-9 paperwork and this should go smoothly. You can also perform a self-check if you are not sure what will happen on the day of I-9 verification. Refer to this link . Worst case, suppose I-9 verification fails you will be issued a tentative non-confirmation (TNC) number, then you just need to visit the SSN office with the TNC printout provided by the employer and SSA would be able to resolve your case manually in their system. Result: FNU Hina or FNU Hina Singh 09. FNU on EAD and FNU Green Card Suppose you are a dependent of a primary visa holder like H1B, L1, or J1 and you need to work in the US. Even if you are on an F1 visa based on OPT or STEM OPT, you would need to fill out the I-765 form to apply for an EAD card. Related: How to file H4 EAD for the first time? L2 visa holders don't need EAD anymore if they have the L2S category mentioned on I-94. Refer to this blog for details. In this case, fill your name as First Name: FNU and Last Name: Hina and you should be able to get EAD with "FNU Hina". Tip: Once you get the receipt notice of I-765, check what's your name on the receipt notice. Most probably it will be "No Name Given ", for example, First Name will be "No Name Given" and the Last Name will be "Hina". In this case, submit a typographic error correction as soon as possible and request that you keep your name the same as your visa and other legal documents like I-94 so please update it to "FNU " and they will update it. We have done it a couple of times and we successfully received an EAD card with "FNU". The same applies to the green card, you will file your I-140 and I-485 with your name as "FNU , for example, "FNU Hina". My husband received his green card with FNU. No issue was encountered. Result: FNU Hina or FNU Hina Singh 10. Buying a Car, House, and getting a Credit Card/ Bank Account The formula is simple, as long as you stick to "FNU " you should be good, for example, "FNU Hina" or "FNU Hina Singh". My husband has bought 2 cars so far, changed apartments 3 to 4 times, bought a house, successfully got a home loan, has multiple credit cards with FNU (same name as bank account), filed taxes with FNU, and never faced any issues. Result: FNU Hina or FNU Hina Singh Related: How to request a B2 extension after 6 months? 11. IRS Tax Filing for FNU For tax filing, you would need your W2. As you all know W2s' are provided by the employer so there could be a scenario where your name on the visa/passport is different from your name in the W2s. Like companies, they might have their policies for no surname. Case 01: The name on W2 is "Hina Singh", US visa has "FNU Hina", and SSN has only "Hina". This is not an issue, just file your taxes as "FNU Hina" and it will go through. My husband had the same case when he came to the United States. After 3 years, he changed the company and he fixed the name to match "FNU Hina" which you will see in case 02. But in this case with W2 as "Hina Singh" and filing taxes as "FNU Hina" is not a problem. It should go smoothly. We filed taxes for 3-4 years like that and never had issues. Result: FNU Hina Case 02: The name on W2 is "FNU Hina", US visa has "FNU Hina", and SSN has only "Hina". This is even better than case 01. This is why my husband changed the company he updated the name to FNU so that it's in sync with the W2, visa, and I-9. File your taxes with "FNU Hina" and it should go smoothly. Result: FNU Hina No Name Given vs FNU Both the names whether you are assigned "No name given" in the first name or "FNU", will be due to the same issue i.e. you don't have a surname on your passport, As far as problems are concerned it's better to keep "FNU" because that way you can keep your all other documents consistent. Imagine filling out "No Name Given" as your first name. Pretty awkward right? So it's better to request USCIS a typographical correction (to FNU) if any of your applications are processed as "No name given". Every USCIS officer handles the case differently, a few of them might be even unaware of FNU. Or they might think "No name given" and "First name unknown" are the same thing and have no downsides. But we know that will create inconsistency across our documents. Related: How to get H4 EAD faster? When you submit any form to USCIS, you will receive the receipt notice within 5 to 10 days. Try to validate your name on the receipt notice, Even if you had filed "FNU" in the first name during submitting your form, the USCIS officer might process your form as "No name given" while handling your case. So it's always better to validate your receipt notice as soon as you get it and if it has "No name given", submit a typographical error service request ASAP. Do not wait for final approval to correct your name, you will waste time if you do so. FAQs on FNU Name How to change FNU in a US visa? I'm aware of four methods that can help you rectify the "FNU" name issue: Passport Renewal with Name Split: If you're planning to renew your Indian passport in the US, select the service to split your name. You can refer to my passport renewal blog for detailed guidance; the name split process is quite similar. Please note that if you have a single name, this option may not be suitable for you. Adopt Your Spouse's Surname: If you have a single name and you are married then just adopt your spouse's surname. This is the most straightforward way to correct your name on your passport. You can do this during the passport renewal process in the US and it's very easy. Wait for Naturalization: After holding a FNU green card for five years, you can go through the naturalization process. During this process, you have the opportunity to change your name legally in the US – it's a hassle-free way to legally change your name. Newspaper Advertisement and Affidavit: While I haven't personally undergone this process, I would strongly recommend consulting with a lawyer for this particular method. It entails placing an advertisement in a newspaper and obtaining an affidavit to change your name. It's worth noting that this approach is generally perceived as more complex and time-consuming. Each of these methods has its advantages and considerations, so choose the one that best suits your situation and preferences. What is the solution for an FNU (First Name Unknown) on a driver's license at the DMV? The DMV factsheet indicates that if the applicant has a single name, they should process the driver's license or state ID with 'FNU'. Reference NAFSA (National Association of Foreign Student Advisers) . If the nonimmigrant has only one name, it must be used as the last name. Use the letters FNU (First Name Unknown) in the First Name field . Nonimmigrants with one name should be aware that some government officials are not familiar with the FNU acronym and may look for the nonimmigrant to show that his or her first name is FNU. The nonimmigrant should be able to explain the acronym if it is causing validation problems with any government process. There will still be scenarios when the DMV does not agree, and you may find yourself running out of options. Here are some steps that might assist you: If a DMV officer denies your application, inquire about speaking with their manager. The DMV officer might not be familiar with the 'FNU' name, but the manager could have prior experience with such cases. If the manager also disagrees, consider contacting another nearby DMV office. You can submit your application with an empty first name and your last name as your name. I had to visit three DMV offices in New Jersey before a manager agreed to help me; they were very kind. Some DMV registration centers accept driver's license applications but do not conduct tests. You can apply at one of these centers and take the test at a different location. What name should I use for hotel bookings? I would recommend using 'FNU' if you have a single name like 'Hina'; we have never faced issues with this. However, if your name is like 'FNU Hina Singh', simply book as 'Hina Singh' without 'FNU'. Conclusion In our case, there were no potential issues with "FNU" in the name as long as we kept it consistent throughout our legal documents in the US. The only exceptions were a few documents like SSN and DL, which can have a single name (First name is not mandatory there). Hopefully, you find this article helpful. If you are aware of some FNU problems and solutions that might help others, please comment. It's sometimes really frustrating to get through FNU problems and your small suggestion might help thousands of readers out there. Next: How to fix the FNU issue? Related Posts ✔ H1B grace period after lay-offs ✔ Green card vs Citizenship Related Topics

This page provides information on the current green card priority date for India for family-based permanent residency in the F1, F2A, F2B, F3, and F4 categories. If the applicant's priority date on the I-797 notice for the I-130 petition is earlier than the current date mentioned below, then you are eligible to proceed with your immigrant visa application process, like the I-485 or DS-260 application, which is the final step in obtaining a green card. I-485: If the applicant is physically present in the United States and is eligible to adjust status to permanent resident status, they typically file Form I-485 with USCIS. DS-260: If the applicant is residing outside of the United States and is applying for an immigrant visa through consular processing, they generally complete Form DS-260, which is processed by the Department of State. 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 Oct 2024 Visa Bulletin  published by the US Department of State. Family-Based Green Card Category Current (Dates for Filing) Current (Final Action Date) F1 Priority Date India Sep 01, 2017 Oct 22, 2015 F2A Priority Date India Jul 15, 2024 Jan 01, 2022 F2B Priority Date India Jan 01, 2017 May 01, 2016 F3 Priority Date India Apr 22, 2012 Apr 15, 2010 F4 Priority Date India Aug 01, 2006 Mar 08, 2006 Immediate Relatives Current Current Family-Based Green Card Priority Date for India: Key Points Use 'Dates for Filing' to file the I-485 application (according to the USCIS Oct 2024 Visa Bulletin). 'Dates for Filing' typically precede the 'Final Action Date' and allow applicants to start certain parts of the application process earlier. The 'Final Action Date' is the cutoff date determining when green cards can be issued based on the priority date of the immigrant petition. FAQs on Family-Based Green Card Priority Date India Who can apply for a family-based green card? You can get a green card If you are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen. Immediate relatives are not subjected to visa quotas (no cap on the number of green cards that can be issued) and generally have more favorable immigration processing. Even the concept of a priority date does not apply to immediate relatives. Parent of a U.S. citizen (if the citizen is 21+). Spouse of a U.S. citizen. Unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen. The following relatives are eligible based on the "preference immigrant" category: First preference (F1) - Unmarried children (21 years and older) of U.S. citizens. Second preference (F2A) - Spouses and unmarried children (under 21 years old) of lawful permanent residents. Second preference (F2B) - Unmarried children (21 years and older) of lawful permanent residents. Third preference (F3) - Married children of U.S. citizens. Fourth preference (F4) - Siblings of U.S. citizens (if the citizen is 21+). What is the current priority date for parents of U.S. citizens? For parents of U.S. citizens, there isn't a "current priority date" in the same way as other family-sponsored preference categories. Parents of U.S. citizens are considered immediate relatives and are not subject to the priority date system that applies to preference categories like F1, F2A, F2B, etc. Therefore, they do not have to wait for a priority date to become current. What is the processing time for a family-based green card for Indian parents? The processing time for a family-based green card for Indian parents typically ranges from 12 to 16 months, but actual processing times may vary depending on the USCIS backlog and workload. As an immediate relative, you can file Form I-485 concurrently with Form I-130. Next: Green Card vs Citizenship Related Posts ✔ Do Green Card holders need visas for Canada? ✔ How to expedite the USCIS application? Related Topics

The New York to Los Angeles road trip has something for everyone, whether you are traveling with family, friends, or in a group. Driving from the East Coast to the West Coast or from the West Coast to the East Coast takes approximately 42 hours if you drive non-stop, covering a distance of 2,790 miles. The trip can span anywhere from 4 to 7 days, or more. It's one of the best cross-country road trips in the United States, driving from New York to Los Angeles, and passing through some of the country's most famous tourist attractions, national parks, and scenic routes. This road trip is about fun and enjoyment, not rushing through the drive. I have shared a few helpful product links throughout the blog to enhance your trip. Based on my experiences from several trips, these items have been lifesavers. While I highly recommend them, the choice is yours. Table of Contents: New York to LA Drive New York to Los Angeles Drive (Routes) New York to California Drive Day 1. New York to Chicago, IL (11 hours, 745 miles via I-80) Day 2: Chicago, IL to Omaha, NE (7.5 hours, 466 miles via I-80) Day 3: Omaha to Rocky Mountain, CO (8 hours, 568 miles via I-76) Day 4: Sand Dunes, CO to Page, AZ (7 hours, 426 miles via US-160) Day 5: Page, AZ to Las Vegas, NE (4 hours, 272 miles via US-89 & I-15) Day 6: Las Vegas, NE to Los Angeles, CA (4 hours, 270 miles via I-15) Road Trip Preparation Checklist New York to Los Angeles Drive (Routes) There are a couple of routes for the New York to Los Angeles drive, both of which cover approximately distance of 2800 miles and take around 42 hours. Considering the length of this trip and to ensure a smooth journey, I highly recommend getting this car servicing kit and an emergency medical kit —it has been invaluable on my trips. For navigation, I highly recommend using a dedicated GPS device  rather than relying on your phone. This avoids draining your phone's battery and ensures continuous navigation even in areas with poor cell service. Multiple times on this trip, you will end up driving without a phone signal at night. One route for the New York to LA drive is via I-80 W (the blue line on the map above), and the second route is via I-70 W and I-40 W (the bottom grey line on the map above). Both routes pass through different states, which can help you decide which route to take. Route 1 (via I-80 W) Over 7 days, you will drive through 12 different states: New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona (optional), and California. Arizona is optional if you wish to pass through. I extended my trip to include Arizona because I love its vivid landscape, which includes Antelope Canyon, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and Horseshoe Bend. If possible, get a dashcam  (front-rear) that can record everything in case of incidents. It's a long trip, and this will be a lifesaver. This will also help you record while you drive through national parks so that you can enjoy your drive instead of being busy recording. Below is a picture of Horseshoe Bend in Arizona; I truly admire this natural wonder. Route 2 (via I-70 W and I-40 W) The second route is to drive via I-70 W and I-40 W, driving through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. A road trip is always enjoyable, especially for those who love driving, and it becomes even more memorable when you're traveling in a group. If you have family traveling with you, then buy a car-wide mirror —it will make your conversations with backseat passengers much more entertaining. Unfortunately, I was the sole driver for this trip, but I wasn't alone; my wife kept me awake with her jokes, albeit not very good ones. ;) To stay powered up and connected during the trip, I also recommend a long phone charging cable  (6 FT) so that it can reach the back seat, a phone mount , and a reliable ~10,000 mAh power bank . These were essential for us, especially on those long stretches of road. We even got travel games . You will cross four different time zones (EST, CST, MST, PST) during what is perhaps one of the longest road trips you can imagine in the United States, and I assure you, you'll love it. I've covered the hotels, locations, routes, and driving hours I followed. So feel free to adjust if you have other plans. New York to California Drive My initial plan for the New York to California drive was very flexible. Feel free to add or subtract extra days between destinations based on your preferences. I recommend avoiding advance hotel bookings to maintain flexibility and the option to change your plans. Who cares about the hotel; find one on Google with good ratings, and you'll be fine. After such a long, tiring drive, you only need a comfy bed. For the worst-case scenario, keep an inflatable bed for your car. It can provide a comfortable resting spot if you're unable to find suitable accommodations or if you prefer sleeping in your vehicle. Day 1: New York to Chicago, IL Day 2: Explore Chicago, IL Day 3: Chicago, IL to Omaha, NE Day 4: Omaha, NE to the Rocky Mountains, CO Day 5: Explore the Rocky Mountains, CO Day 6: Rocky Mountains, CO to Page, AZ Day 7: Explore Page, AZ Day 8: Page, AZ to Las Vegas, NE Day 9: Explore Las Vegas, NV Day 10: Las Vegas, NE to Los Angeles, CA Days 10-11: Explore Los Angeles and San Diego, CA After so many days of driving, your car will likely start to smell. I kept a portable car vacuum , a car trash can  with a lid, hand sanitizer , wet wipes , and an air freshener to keep the car clean and fresh. I also kept a trunk organizer as I knew things would get messy. Trust me, if your car is organized and smells fresh, you'll do much better throughout the trip—that's from my experience. Day 1. New York to Chicago, IL (11 hours, 745 miles via I-80) An eleven-hour New York to Chicago drive is quite long, isn't it? Yes, but I planned to drive the maximum distance on the first day because I had plenty of energy. Additionally, stopping in Chicago was a good idea. However, if an eleven-hour drive is too much for you, you can split it into two days, with a 7-hour drive followed by a 5-hour drive, making a stop in Cleveland, OH. If you have some time in the evening, you can visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame . It's located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, and it's a beautiful place. I had visited Cleveland a couple of times before, so there wasn't much left for me to explore there. Anyway, I stayed at Cool Springs Inn , Michigan City approximately an hour's drive from Chicago, for a couple of reasons. The first reason was the cost; hotels in Chicago were too expensive, approximately 3-4 times the cost of what I paid in Michigan City ($45). Secondly, Chicago is only about an hour's drive from this place, so you can wake up early in the morning and explore Chicago if you want. You can visit these places in Chicago: Navy Pier Willis Tower Cloud Gate John Hancock Center Shedd Aquarium Art Institute of Chicago There is a lot to do in Chicago; in fact, a day is not enough for Chicago. Consider getting a city pass and try to explore as much as you can. Extend your stay if needed. At the end of the day, you can either drive back to Cool Springs or book another hotel nearby. The Palmer House is a good option if you want to spend more time in Chicago downtown, I have been there a couple of times. It's a bit pricier at around $150 per night, and you have to pay extra for parking, approximately $50, but the place is awesome. I paid this price in 2018, so it would have changed since then. Day 2: Chicago, IL to Omaha, NE (7.5 hours, 466 miles via I-80) Well, I didn't stop at Omaha, Horizon Inn Motel as per my initial plan. Instead, I drove an additional 8 hours to reach Rocky Mountains, CO, which was originally my Day 3 stop. It might sound crazy, but I drove for over 15 hours to reach Colorado. I was particularly interested in hiking and exploring Colorado, so by adding an extra 8 hours of driving, I effectively saved a day for Colorado. To keep your energy up during such long drives, I recommend bringing along some electrolyte drink mix . They were a lifesaver for me, helping me to stay alert and focused on the road, and even useful during hiking. Omaha offers plenty to do if you stick to the initial plan. If you have an interest in zoos and America's largest indoor rainforest, visit the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, which features an incredible indoor desert and rainforest. Day 3: Omaha to Rocky Mountain, CO (8 hours, 568 miles via I-76) Colorado is too vast to explore in a single day. So I stayed there for a couple of days, with my first stop at Coyote Mountain Lodge . I began the day with a hike in the Rocky Mountains and then drove through the Garden of the Gods. On the second day, I stopped at Estes Park and visited Royal Gorge Bridge (shown below). Later in the evening, we went to Great Sand Dunes National Park. I haven't seen landscapes like those at Great Sand Dunes in my entire life. You'll find snowy mountains, deserts, lakes, and lush green forests all in the same place. It's truly mesmerizing! Day 4: Sand Dunes, CO to Page, AZ (7 hours, 426 miles via US-160) Arizona is also too vast to explore in one day. However, you can visit Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and drive through Zion National Park or the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon itself requires a couple of days if you want to explore all its corners. If you want to save some time, you can consider a helicopter tour from Las Vegas. Drive through Zion National Park if you get a chance. It's a beautiful place. Antelope Canyon shines bright orange in the n oon sunlight, so it's a good time to visit around that time. You'll need to book tickets for this. Day 5: Page, AZ to Las Vegas, NE (4 hours, 272 miles via US-89 & I-15) Las Vegas is self-explanatory, and I don't think this place needs any explanation. You can try different foods and drinks, enjoy a stroll along the streets, experience the nightlife, enjoy rides, and explore the city. Saturday night is the most popular time, so plan your trip accordingly. Driving in Vegas can be chaotic, with several pedestrians walking and lots of luxurious cars. If your car doesn't have a blind spot mirror , definitely get one. Day 6: Las Vegas, NE to Los Angeles, CA (4 hours, 270 miles via I-15) You can cover this distance on the 5th day itself if you don't like Vegas. But I believe that's not the case; no one wants to skip Vegas. Southern California has tons of things to do, including Universal Studios, the San Diego Zoo, the Griffith Observatory, the Santa Monica Pier, and plenty of beautiful beaches. One of my favorites is Potato Chip Rock Mountain, a short mountain hike near San Diego County. Here's a picture. Road Trip Preparation Checklist Ensure you have valid insurance and registration. These documents are crucial for your journey, and keeping them organized is key. I highly recommend using a card holder to keep them safe and easily accessible while on the road. Ensure your vehicle is fully serviced before planning this trip, including an engine oil change, checking tire conditions, lights, brakes, etc. I wasted several hours due to an oil change in Arizona, so be cautious. Avoid booking a hotel in advance, but try to make a reservation before 3:00 p.m. if you decide to book on the same day to avoid higher costs. I had to cancel one booking due to a change in plans. Keep extra blankets and pillows in your car in case you need to rest. Keep rain gear , an empty bag pack , a torch , and mosquito repellent . Avoid overloading your vehicle; always leave extra space for yourself. Take regular breaks while driving; I was taking breaks every 3-4 hours of driving. Try not to drive more than 8 hours per day, although I didn't follow this rule myself. Keep warm clothes (jackets) in your car, as the weather can change significantly during such a long-distance tour. For example, when I started the trip, it was 25 degrees Celsius in New York, but it dropped to 2 degrees Celsius when I reached Colorado. This might be different depending upon the season for you. Keep an ample supply of water and food in your car. Carry a tire inflator in your car; you can find one on Amazon for around $25. Avoid driving between 6 pm and 7 pm due to the sunset. Since you'll be driving west, you'll face the sun every evening. Most importantly, enjoy your trip and take your time; there's no need to rush! Next: Continue reading Related Posts ✔ Apply for US tourist visa ✔ Things to know about US culture Related Topics