How can I tell if I have a ‘current priority date’?

Understanding whether your priority date is ‘current’ is an essential step to track the progress of your EB-3 process.

Simply put, the priority date is the date when your labor certification application or other documentation was received by the government.

Knowing if it is ‘current’ means that there are now available visas for your case, allowing you to move on to the next step in the immigration process.

The most common way to check this information is by consulting the Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the United States Department of State.

In this bulletin, you will find priority dates for different visa categories and countries of birth.

For EB-3, identify the line corresponding to your group (usually divided by country or region) and compare the date listed with your priority date.

If your date is earlier than or equal to the date listed, your case is ‘current’.

If not, it means there is still a backlog and your date has not been reached.

It is important to remember that rules and deadlines can change, so keeping up with monthly updates becomes fundamental.

When performing these checks, always choose to access official sources or consult guidance from recognized immigration experts.

This way, you avoid relying on unverified information or campaigns that promise immediate results, which often do not reflect reality.

Additionally, following immigration laws and staying alert to official updates ensures your process remains compliant and secure.

If you feel the need for more detailed assistance, seeking information from specialized and reliable sources is the safe path to a successful 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.