US Priority Date Calculator Green Card

Determine your US priority date for green card applications using this calculator. The priority date is crucial for determining your position in the visa lottery and family-based green card queue.

What is a US Priority Date for Green Card?

The US priority date is a key component of the green card application process. It represents the date when your application was filed or when you became eligible for a green card. This date determines your position in the visa lottery and family-based green card queue.

Key Points

For family-based green cards, the priority date is typically the date your immediate relative filed the petition
For employment-based green cards, it's the date you filed your labor certification or immigrant petition
The priority date affects your eligibility for the annual visa lottery

How to Calculate Your Priority Date

The calculation method varies depending on your green card category. Here's a general approach:

Priority Date Formula

For family-based green cards:

Priority Date = Date of Immediate Relative's Petition Filing

For employment-based green cards:

Priority Date = Date of Labor Certification Filing or Immigrant Petition Filing

Use the calculator on the right to determine your specific priority date based on your application type and filing date.

Factors Affecting Your Priority Date

Several factors influence your priority date calculation:

Factor	Impact
Application Type	Family-based vs employment-based green cards have different priority date rules
Filing Date	Earlier filing dates generally receive priority
Processing Time	USCIS processing times can affect when your priority date is established
Preference Category	Different preference categories have different priority date rules

Example Calculation

Let's look at an example of calculating a priority date for a family-based green card:

Example Scenario

Your spouse filed a green card petition on January 15, 2020. What is your priority date?

Priority Date = January 15, 2020

This means your application will be processed based on this date in the family-based green card queue.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the priority date affect my green card application?

The priority date determines your position in the green card queue. Earlier dates generally receive priority, especially in the annual visa lottery.

Can I change my priority date after filing?

No, the priority date is established when your application is filed and cannot be changed. It remains the same throughout the green card process.

How long does it take to get a green card after establishing a priority date?

Processing times vary by category. Family-based green cards typically take 12-24 months, while employment-based green cards can take 2-5 years.