What is the Visa Bulletin?

The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication from the Department of State that tracks the progress of immigrant visa petitions. It shows which priority dates are current for each visa category and country of birth, functioning as a gauge of where the processing queue stands.

In practice, each applicant has a priority date, which typically corresponds to the date the case was filed. The bulletin indicates whether that date has become current, signaling when it is possible to move forward with an adjustment of status or consular visa issuance.

For those in a category such as EB-5, following the Visa Bulletin provides a sense of the pace of the process and allows applicants to organize documents and timelines in advance, rather than relying on informal estimates.

Because the bulletin is updated with each edition and its reading involves technical details, always confirm the information directly from the official source, the Department of State website, and seek specialized guidance if you have questions about your specific case.

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.