Green Card Changes Its Rules in September: What Applicants Need to Know

Which table should status adjustment applicants use?

The bulletin includes two distinct tables. The Final Action Dates table determines when a visa number can be issued. On the other hand, the Application Filing Dates table allows documents to be submitted earlier.

Those applying for status adjustment must use the table designated by USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) for September. According to the agency’s official website, that table is only authorized if there are more visas available than known applicants. Otherwise, the Final Action Dates table applies.

As of August 22, USCIS had not published its date table for September. Therefore, applicants should check the agency’s website before submitting any documents. In either table, the priority date must be earlier than the indicated deadline.

The term «Current» means there is no deadline. Conversely, «Unavailable» means there are no authorized visa numbers in that category.

What are the dates for family-based categories?

The F2A category, for spouses and children of permanent residents, remains one of the most favorable. Its final action date is August 22, 2026 for most countries. This includes China, India, and the Philippines. Mexico, however, has a deadline of August 22, 2025.

Additionally, F2A is marked as «Current» worldwide in the Application Filing Dates table. However, status adjustment applicants can only use that table if USCIS authorizes it for September.

Category	Description	Deadline (majority of countries)
F1	Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens	January 22, 2020
F2A	Spouses and children of permanent residents	August 22, 2026
F2B	Unmarried adult children of permanent residents	August 22, 2019
F3	Married children of U.S. citizens	October 22, 2014
F4	Siblings of adult U.S. citizens	October 22, 2011

Mexico, India, and the Philippines have different dates in several categories. This is due to higher demand in those countries.

What are the dates for employment-based categories?

In the EB-1 category, for workers with extraordinary ability, visas are current for most countries. However, China has a deadline of July 1, 2023. India, on the other hand, is at October 15, 2022.

The EB-2 category is also current for most countries. Even so, China has a deadline of September 1, 2021. India, in this category, appears as «Unavailable.»

Category	Country or region	Deadline
EB-3	Majority of countries and Mexico	September 1, 2024