Dates for filing vs. final action date: what the difference means

How the Final Action and Dates for Filing charts differ, illustrated with the current bulletin's published cutoffs.

Editorial review required before launchBuild edition: September 2026Sources and limits below

The Final Action Date chart controls when a visa number can actually be issued or a green card approved; the Dates for Filing chart controls only when an application may be submitted, when USCIS designates it for use. In the Sep 2026 bulletin, EB-2 India shows a Final Action cutoff of Unavailable versus a Dates for Filing cutoff of Jan 15, 2015, which are not required to match.

Final action vs. dates for filing, worked comparison
CategoryCountryFinal actionDates for filing
EB-1IndiaOct 15, 2022Dec 1, 2023
EB-1China (mainland-born)Jul 1, 2023Dec 1, 2023
EB-2IndiaUnavailableJan 15, 2015
EB-2China (mainland-born)Sep 1, 2021Jan 1, 2022
EB-3IndiaJan 1, 2014Jan 15, 2015
EB-3China (mainland-born)Jan 1, 2022Jan 8, 2022

USCIS chooses which of these two charts may be used for adjustment-of-status filing each month; that choice is not verified in this snapshot.

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