What are the filing date and final action date?

In the EB-5 program, two dates from the Visa Bulletin organize the progress of the process: the filing date and the final action date. Understanding the difference helps you track where your case stands in the queue.

The filing date is the day on which the immigration petition (in EB-5, typically the I-526) is officially received. It establishes your position in the queue and generally signals when you can begin gathering documentation for the next stage. The final action date, in turn, is the point at which a visa number becomes available for your case, meaning it is ready to receive a final decision.

• Filing date: marks the entry point and your position in the queue.
• Final action date: indicates when a visa is available for the decision.
• Both dates advance according to demand and visa availability.

These dates change periodically, so the safest approach is to follow each edition of the Visa Bulletin and confirm the reading of your case with official sources, such as the Department of State and USCIS.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.