April 14Tue
28%Highest
Retrieving official visa bulletin data and running analysis...
Retrieving official visa bulletin data and running analysis...
Official U.S. government source data
10 years of official history, rolling 8-year same-month training, business days only.
Official documents — May 2026
Prediction event
Most likely release window
The strongest signal is April 14 at 28%.
Red marks the strongest business-day signal. Deeper tile color means higher probability.
Source basis: DOS Visa Bulletin archive and USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Charts.
JSON APIOfficial release log
Historical dataOpen the month-by-month DOS release record, PDF timestamp basis, and source links.
| Issue | Release date | Pattern | Timestamp basis | DOS bulletin | Official PDF | USCIS filing chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2016 | Apr 12, 2016 | 2nd Tue | PDF ModDate | Bulletin page | PDF metadata source | USCIS page |
| May 2017 | Apr 11, 2017 | 2nd Tue | PDF ModDate | Bulletin page | PDF metadata source | USCIS page |
| May 2018 | Apr 11, 2018 | 2nd Wed | PDF ModDate | Bulletin page | PDF metadata source | USCIS page |
| May 2019 | Apr 10, 2019 | 2nd Wed | PDF CreationDate | Bulletin page | PDF metadata source | USCIS page |
| May 2020 | Apr 24, 2020 | 4th Fri | PDF CreationDate | Bulletin page | PDF metadata source | USCIS page |
| May 2021 | Apr 20, 2021 | 3rd Tue | PDF ModDate | Bulletin page | PDF metadata source | USCIS page |
| May 2022 | Apr 13, 2022 | 2nd Wed | PDF CreationDate | Bulletin page | PDF metadata source | USCIS page |
| May 2023 | Apr 13, 2023 | 2nd Thu | PDF ModDate | Bulletin page | PDF metadata source | USCIS page |
| May 2024 | Apr 9, 2024 | 2nd Tue | PDF CreationDate | Bulletin page | PDF metadata source | USCIS page |
| May 2025 | Apr 11, 2025 | 2nd Fri | PDF ModDate | Bulletin page | PDF metadata source | USCIS page |
Cutoff analytics
Official DOS data through April 2026.
Chart A: Final Action Dates
Positive is advance. Negative is retrogression.
Chart A: Final Action Dates
Left is the priority month. Right is the official bulletin month.
Official DOS chart
May 2026 is not published yet. Showing the latest official DOS bulletin for April 2026.
| Category | China-mainland bornPrevious → current | All chargeability areas except those listedPrevious → current |
|---|---|---|
EB-1 Priority workers, including extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational managers and executives. | Apr 1, 2023 Advanced 31 days | Current No change |
EB-2 Advanced degree professionals and persons of exceptional ability. | Sep 1, 2021 No change | Current Now current |
EB-3 Skilled workers and professionals. | Jun 15, 2021 Advanced 45 days | Jun 1, 2024 Advanced 244 days |
Other Workers Employment third preference other workers. | Feb 1, 2019 Advanced 55 days | Nov 1, 2021 No change |
EB-4 Certain special immigrants. | Jul 15, 2022 Advanced 365 days | Jul 15, 2022 Advanced 365 days |
Certain Religious Workers Special immigrant religious workers. | Jul 15, 2022 Advanced 365 days | Jul 15, 2022 Advanced 365 days |
EB-5 Unreserved Employment creation, unreserved immigrant investor visas. | Sep 1, 2016 Advanced 17 days | Current No change |
EB-5 Rural Employment creation rural set-aside visas. | Current No change | Current No change |
EB-5 High Unemployment Employment creation high unemployment set-aside visas. | Current No change | Current No change |
EB-5 Infrastructure Employment creation infrastructure set-aside visas. | Current No change | Current No change |
Category movement
EB-1: Advanced 31 daysEB-2: No changeEB-3: Advanced 45 daysOther Workers: Advanced 55 daysEB-4: Advanced 365 daysCertain Religious Workers: Advanced 365 daysEB-5 Unreserved: Advanced 17 daysEB-5 Rural: No changeEB-5 High Unemployment: No changeEB-5 Infrastructure: No changeChart comparison
Side-by-side comparison of both official DOS charts for your selected area.
| Category | Final Action | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Apr 1, 2023 | Dec 1, 2023 |
| EB-2 | Sep 1, 2021 | Jan 1, 2022 |
| EB-3 | Jun 15, 2021 | Jan 1, 2022 |
| Other Workers | Feb 1, 2019 | Oct 1, 2019 |
| EB-4 | Jul 15, 2022 | Jan 1, 2023 |
| Certain Religious Workers | Jul 15, 2022 | Jan 1, 2023 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Sep 1, 2016 | Oct 1, 2016 |
| EB-5 Rural | Current | — |
| EB-5 High Unemployment | Current | — |
| EB-5 Infrastructure | Current | — |
USCIS announces each month whether they will accept I-485 filings based on the Filing dates chart or the Final Action dates chart. When USCIS accepts Filing dates, you may be eligible to file your adjustment of status application sooner, even if your Final Action date is not yet current. Check the USCIS filing chart page for the current month's determination.
Official U.S. government source data
Short answers for readers and AI tools looking for the main facts about May 2026.
It estimates the most likely Department of State release window for the Visa Bulletin and pairs that forecast with official cutoff charts and USCIS filing-chart guidance.
The data comes from the Department of State Visa Bulletin archive, official bulletin PDFs and timestamps, and USCIS filing-chart pages.
The site publishes equivalent core content in English, Simplified Chinese, and Hindi so readers can compare the same Visa Bulletin information across three languages.
No. It is a source-backed tracking and forecasting tool. Filing decisions should still be confirmed against the official government bulletin and, when needed, a qualified immigration lawyer.
Green card guidance
Practical guidance for people waiting for their green card priority date to become current.
If your priority date is current under the chart USCIS is accepting, you can file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) if you are in the U.S., or proceed with consular processing at a U.S. embassy abroad. Prepare your documents: civil documents, medical exam (Form I-693), photos, and filing fees. The medical exam is valid for 2 years, so time it carefully. File as soon as you are eligible — dates can retrogress in future months.
The Visa Bulletin has two charts: Chart A (Final Action Dates) determines when a green card can actually be issued. Chart B (Dates for Filing) determines when you can submit your I-485 application. Chart B dates are typically further ahead. Each month, USCIS decides whether to accept filings based on Chart A or Chart B. When Chart B is accepted, you can file earlier and get benefits like an EAD work permit and Advance Parole travel document while waiting.
If you are already in the U.S. on a valid status, I-485 (Adjustment of Status) lets you stay while your case is processed, and you can get an EAD for work authorization and Advance Parole for travel. If you are abroad, consular processing at a U.S. embassy is typically faster. Key factors: your current location, ability to travel, desire for interim work authorization, and processing times at your local USCIS office vs. consulate.
If you have already filed your I-485 and dates retrogress, your pending application remains in the queue — it is not rejected. However, USCIS cannot approve your case until a visa number becomes available again. This is why filing as soon as you are eligible is important. Your EAD and Advance Parole benefits typically continue while your I-485 is pending, regardless of retrogression.
The Department of State publishes a new Visa Bulletin every month, typically around the middle of the month for the following month. For example, the May bulletin is usually released in mid-April. USCIS then publishes its determination of which chart (Final Action or Filing) it will accept for the coming month. Paiqi Calculator tracks both DOS and USCIS releases and predicts the next release date.
Green card glossary
Not sure what Chart A, Chart B, or PD means?Open a plain-language glossary for the most common green card terms and community shorthand.
Final Action Dates
The DOS cut-off chart used for final immigrant visa issuance or green card approval. A case is usually fully approvable only when the priority date is earlier than this line, or the category is current.
Dates for Filing
The DOS chart showing when applicants may start document collection or, if USCIS allows it for that month, file adjustment of status earlier than Chart A.
Priority Date
Your place in line for a numerically limited immigrant visa category. USCIS says this is generally the petition filing date, or the labor-certification filing date in cases that require labor certification.
Employment-based
A green card category based on work, such as EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3.
Family-sponsored / family-based
Common shorthand for family preference categories in the Visa Bulletin, such as F1, F2A, or F3.
Adjustment of Status
Applying for lawful permanent residence from inside the United States without leaving for visa processing abroad.
Consular Processing
Applying for the immigrant visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad instead of filing adjustment of status in the United States.
Request for Evidence
A USCIS notice asking for more documents or explanation because required evidence was missing, expired, or not enough for an eligibility decision.
National Visa Center
The DOS stage that collects immigrant-visa fees and documents after petition approval and before a consular interview is scheduled.
Documentarily Qualified
Common shorthand for the DOS / NVC stage where the required immigrant-visa application, affidavit of support, fees, and supporting documents have been accepted as complete.
Current
The Visa Bulletin code meaning there is no cut-off date for that category and chargeability area in that bulletin month.
Cutoff date moves backward
When demand is higher than the number of visas available, DOS may move a cut-off date backward, pause it, or stop it from advancing.