Priority Date Calculator for Green Card

Your priority date is a critical factor in determining your eligibility for a green card. This calculator helps you determine your priority date based on your filing date and the type of green card you're applying for.

What is a Priority Date?

A priority date is the date when your green card application was filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It determines your position in the visa lottery and the order in which your application will be processed.

The priority date is especially important for family-based green cards, where there are annual limits on the number of visas available. If your priority date falls within a year when the quota is reached, you may have to wait until the next year when there are available visas.

Your priority date is not the same as your interview date or the date you receive your green card. It's the date your application was filed, which determines your position in the visa backlog.

How to Calculate Your Priority Date

The priority date calculation depends on the type of green card you're applying for. The most common types are:

Family-based green cards (FBC)
Employment-based green cards (EBC)
Diversity Visa Lottery

Family-Based Green Cards

For family-based green cards, the priority date is simply the date your Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) was filed with USCIS. This date determines your position in the visa backlog for your specific family preference category.

Employment-Based Green Cards

For employment-based green cards, the priority date is the date your labor certification was approved by the Department of Labor. This date is used to determine your position in the visa backlog for your specific employment preference category.

Diversity Visa Lottery

For the Diversity Visa Lottery, the priority date is the date you entered your application in the DV Lottery system. This date determines your position in the lottery and when you might be eligible for an interview.

Priority Date = Filing Date (Form I-130 or Labor Certification Approval Date)

Types of Green Cards

There are several types of green cards, each with its own priority date calculation method:

Green Card Type	Priority Date Basis	Visa Backlog
Family-Based (FBC)	Date Form I-130 was filed	By family preference category
Employment-Based (EBC)	Date labor certification was approved	By employment preference category
Diversity Visa	Date entered in DV Lottery	National lottery
Refugee/Asylee	Date application was filed	By country of origin

Each type of green card has different processing times and visa availability. Understanding your priority date helps you plan your immigration strategy and estimate when you might receive your green card.

Priority Date Examples

Let's look at some examples to understand how priority dates work:

Family-Based Green Card Example

Suppose you filed Form I-130 for your spouse on January 15, 2020. Your priority date would be January 15, 2020. If the quota for your family preference category was reached in 2020, you would have to wait until the next year when there are available visas.

Employment-Based Green Card Example

If you filed a labor certification for an EB-2 green card on March 10, 2019, and it was approved on June 5, 2019, your priority date would be June 5, 2019. This date determines your position in the EB-2 visa backlog.

Diversity Visa Example

If you entered the DV Lottery on April 20, 2021, your priority date would be April 20, 2021. This date determines your position in the national lottery and when you might be eligible for an interview.

FAQ

What is the difference between a priority date and a visa bulletin date?: The priority date is the date your application was filed, while the visa bulletin date is the date when visas became available for that category. Your priority date determines your position in the visa backlog, while the visa bulletin date shows when you might be eligible for an interview.
Can my priority date change after I file my application?: No, your priority date is established when you file your application and does not change. It remains the same throughout the green card process.
How do I check my priority date?: You can check your priority date by reviewing your Form I-130 receipt notice or by checking the status of your application on the USCIS website.
Does my priority date affect my eligibility for a green card?: Yes, your priority date is a key factor in determining your eligibility for a green card, especially for family-based and employment-based green cards where there are annual limits on visas.
Can I expedite my green card processing based on my priority date?: No, your priority date does not affect the processing time of your green card application. Processing times are determined by USCIS and can vary based on the type of green card and current caseload.