What is the Visa Bulletin?

The Visa Bulletin is an important tool for tracking the progress of immigrant visa applications in the United States. This publication, released monthly by the U.S. Department of State, informs which priority dates are currently “open” for different visa categories and countries of origin.

In practice, the Visa Bulletin publishes the numbers that indicate when an applicant can move forward with the adjustment of status process or the issuance of their visa at the consulate, according to the category under which they applied. For example, if you are applying through the EB-5 category, or another, the bulletin will show whether your priority date – which is usually the date the case was filed – has already been reached in the processing “queue.” This monitoring is essential to gaining perspective on how long the process might take and to keeping your documents and deadlines organized.

It is always important to remember that following U.S. immigration laws is fundamental. Seeking information from official sources, such as the Department of State website, and consulting with specialized advisors helps prevent misinformation, scams, or misleading practices that promise quick and guaranteed solutions. The monthly Visa Bulletin release can be complex for those unfamiliar with the topic, but it serves as a guide to understand when certain visa categories will be available for issuance.

Being well informed and verifying data with official sources can make all the difference in your immigration journey, ensuring you stay updated and correctly follow all the necessary requirements for your process.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.