A Step-by-Step Guide to USING the Visa Bulletin
Kennedy Law gives you this guide to help you understand the Visa Bulletin, identify your visa category, country of chargeability, and priority date, determine which filing chart applies, and how to prepare for adjustment of status so you can plan your next step toward permanent residence.
how to use the VISA BULLETIN in immigration planning
The Visa Bulletin determines your wait time to file
Kennedy Law relies on the Visa Bulletin to help clients prepare, stay eligible, and act quickly when a chance opens.
- Qualifying for a green-card category does not always mean that a green card is immediately available. U.S. immigration law limits the number of green cards issued each year by category and country. This means that not everyone can apply right away. Most family-based and employment-based immigrant categories have annual numerical limits.
- The Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the U.S. Department of State, shows whether an immigrant visa number is available based on your green-card category, your priority date, and usually your country of birth. It tells families and workers waiting for green cards when they can take the next step in their immigration process.
- Kennedy Law reviews the Visa Bulletin as part of green-card strategy so clients understand not only whether they may qualify, but when they can take the next step and whether timing creates an opportunity or a risk for the family.
The Visa Bulletin is a planning tool — but only if you use it wisely.
- Families: Prepare birth, marriage, and police records early so you are ready to file the moment your date becomes current.
- Workers: Coordinate with employers to preserve valid status until you can adjust.
- Everyone: Track the Bulletin monthly and prepare for movement in advance, not at the last minute.
WHY CHANGES MATTER IN PLANNING
A change in the Visa Bulletin may determine whether a person can file an adjustment-of-status application now, whether an already-filed case can be approved, whether family members can proceed together, and how urgently a family should act when a child is approaching age 21.
- 🔷 ➤ For employment-based cases, the Visa Bulletin is also why approval of an I-140 petition and eligibility to receive the green card are two separate questions. In some cases, when the category is current, an eligible applicant in the United States may be able to file the I-140 petition and adjustment-of-status application together. In other cases, the applicant must establish the immigrant category first and then wait for the priority date to become available.
PREPARING FOR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS
WHEN YOUR PRIORITY DATE IS APPROACHING
A favorable Visa Bulletin can create a filing opportunity, but applicants must also satisfy the requirements for adjustment of status. Preparing before your priority date becomes current can help avoid delays when a filing window opens.
🔷 Prepare In Advance
If your priority date is approaching the applicable Visa Bulletin cutoff date, begin preparing for adjustment of status before you become eligible to file. Form I-485 requires extensive supporting documentation, and gathering records, reviewing eligibility, and addressing potential issues in advance can help you submit a complete application when a filing opportunity becomes available.
WHAT YOU CAN PREPARE IN ADVANCE
- Review your immigration history. Identify previous immigration violations, periods without lawful status, unauthorized employment and other circumstances that could affect adjustment eligibility.
- Collect your documents. Gather passports, immigration records, birth certificates, marriage certificates and other supporting evidence required for you and your accompanying family members.
- Review your employment arrangements. If your green card petition depends on employer sponsorship, confirm that the qualifying job offer remains available and determine whether additional employer documentation is required. EB-1A and NIW self-petitioners have different requirements.
- Plan your medical examination. Review vaccination records and locate a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. Coordinate the examination with your anticipated filing date.
- Evaluate employment authorization and travel. Determine whether you should apply for employment authorization or advance parole when filing your adjustment application.
- Prepare your filing budget. Account for government fees, medical examinations and separate applications for accompanying family members.
A current priority date does not guarantee adjustment eligibility or green card approval. Early preparation allows potential issues to be identified before a filing opportunity arises.
REMINDERS for adjustment of status applicants
IMPORTANT SEPTEMBER 2026 UPDATE NEW PUBLIC CHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADJUSTMENT APPLICANTS
Effective September 18, 2026, a revised federal public charge rule expands the circumstances USCIS may consider when evaluating whether certain adjustment applicants are likely to become public charges.For covered applicants, the revised policy permits consideration of a broader range of means-tested public benefits received on or after September 18, 2026. Benefits received before that date are evaluated under the narrower standards previously applicable.Applicants should carefully review the revised Form I-485, disclose information required by the applicable instructions and determine whether the public charge provisions apply to their immigration category. Certain applicants are exempt.USCIS requires the revised Form I-485 edition for applications submitted on or after the new rule's effective date. Confirm the accepted form edition immediately before filing.
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