What to Do When Your Priority Date Is Current: A Complete Guide

Reaching the moment when your green card priority date becomes "Current" is a major milestone in the U.S. immigration process. For many applicants, this represents the culmination of years—or even decades—of waiting. However, a current priority date is not the final step; it is the green light to begin the final phase of your green card application. Knowing exactly what to do, what forms to file, and how to avoid costly mistakes is critical to securing your status.

1. Understanding Key Terms from Your Calculator Output

To navigate this stage effectively, you must understand the specific terms that appeared in your calculator status:

• Priority Date: The date the U.S. government officially received your initial immigration petition (Form I-130 for family cases or ETA Form 9089/Form I-140 receipt date for employment cases). It represents your place in the immigration queue.
• Chart B (Dates for Filing): A table in the monthly Department of State Visa Bulletin that indicates when applicants residing inside the United States can submit their final green card application forms (Adjustment of Status) to USCIS, even if an immigrant visa is not yet ready to be issued.
• Adjustment of Status (Form I-485): The application package submitted by foreign nationals currently residing in the U.S. to change their nonimmigrant status (e.g., H-1B, F-1, L-1) to lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD - Form I-765): An interim work permit that allows you to work legally for any U.S. employer while your green card application is pending.
• Advance Parole (AP - Form I-131): An interim travel document that allows you to travel abroad and return to the United States without abandoning your pending green card application.

2. The Role of Chart B (Dates for Filing)

The Visa Bulletin is divided into two main charts. Chart A lists the "Final Action Dates," which is the date a green card can actually be issued. Chart B lists the "Dates for Filing," which are typically further ahead than Chart A.

Each month, USCIS reviews the volume of pending applications and determines whether there are enough visas remaining in the annual quota to accept early filings. If USCIS determines that they have capacity, they announce that applicants can use **Chart B (Dates for Filing)** to submit their Form I-485 packages.

Filing under Chart B does not mean you will receive your green card immediately. It means you can enter the final queue, lock in your filing, and—crucially—receive interim work and travel authorization. For family-sponsored cases, Chart B is frequently open. For employment-based cases, Chart B is typically open during the early months of the federal fiscal year (October through December) and closes or aligns with Chart A later in the year.

3. Step-by-Step Guide to Filing Adjustment of Status (Form I-485)

Once your priority date is current under Chart B and USCIS has confirmed that Chart B can be used for the current month, you should prepare to submit your Form I-485 package. Here is a step-by-step overview of the process:

1. Confirm Eligibility and Dates: Double-check the current month's Visa Bulletin and the corresponding USCIS adjustment of status filing page to verify that your specific category and country are active for Chart B filing.
2. Gather Required Documents: You will need your original birth certificate (with certified English translations if necessary), marriage certificates, records of maintaining valid nonimmigrant status (Form I-20, Form I-797, Form I-94), and passport biographic pages.
3. Complete the Forms: Fill out Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), and Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document).
4. Undergo the Medical Examination: You must schedule an exam with a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. The surgeon will fill out Form I-693 (Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record) and seal it in an envelope. This sealed envelope must be submitted with your I-485 or in response to a subsequent Request for Evidence (RFE).
5. Submit Filing Fees: Calculate and include the correct filing fees for the I-485 and any associated forms. Fee schedules are subject to change, so verify the exact amounts on the USCIS fee calculator website.
6. Mail the Package: Send the compiled package to the correct USCIS Lockbox address based on your state of residence and visa category. Use a tracked mailing service.

4. Securing Interim Benefits: EAD and Advance Parole

One of the biggest advantages of filing Form I-485 is the ability to request interim benefits. Along with your green card application, you can file Form I-765 for an EAD and Form I-131 for Advance Parole.

These documents are usually issued together as a **Combo Card** or as separate documents while your main I-485 is pending.

The **EAD** provides work authorization, meaning you are no longer tied to a single employer under a visa like the H-1B or L-1. You can work part-time, start a business, or change jobs, subject to portability rules. The **Advance Parole** allows you to travel outside the United States without having to obtain a new visa stamp at a U.S. consulate abroad to re-enter.

It is important to note that using these interim benefits can affect your underlying nonimmigrant status. If you use the EAD to work for a different employer or enter the U.S. on Advance Parole, you may slide out of H-1B/L-1 status and into "AOS Pending" status. Consult your attorney to weigh the pros and cons of using these benefits.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

6. Calculate Your Visa Queue

Need to re-evaluate your priority date status or check a different category? Use our interactive calculator on the homepage to instantly get your current status.