🛂 Visa & Green CardUpdated June 2026

Visa & Green Card Tools for Indians in the USA

Free, data-backed tools for every stage of the US immigration journey — from H-1B lottery odds and priority date tracking to USCIS case status, processing times, and citizenship readiness. All tools run in your browser with no personal information collected.

Educational tools only — not legal advice. NRItoUSA is not affiliated with USCIS, DHS, or the Department of State. Always verify with uscis.gov and consult a licensed immigration attorney.
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Green Card Tools

Track your place in the EB-2 and EB-3 India queue, check your priority date against the current visa bulletin, and find your current stage in the green card process.

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H-1B Tools

Track cap-season timelines, assess transfer risks, explore H-1B salary data from official DOL filings, and understand every step from registration to your start date.

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H-4 EAD & Family

H-4 spouses can get EAD work authorization once the H-1B holder has an approved I-140. This tool helps navigate eligibility, renewal gaps, and work options.

Related guides:USCIS Guide
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USCIS Case Status & Processing

Decode every USCIS status message, find out whether your case is delayed, and understand the service center prefix on your receipt number — no personal info needed.

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Citizenship

If you have a green card, naturalization may be available after 5 years (or 3 years if married to a US citizen). This tool walks you through every N-400 readiness step.

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Visa Bulletin

The monthly visa bulletin controls when Indian H-1B workers can file or receive approval of their green card. Understanding it is critical for EB-2 and EB-3 India applicants.

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Travel & Documents

Check visa-free travel access for your Indian passport (enhanced by a valid US visa), estimate USA–India flight prices, and track OCI and Indian passport renewal timelines.

Frequently asked questions

What is a priority date and how do I check it against the visa bulletin?

Your priority date is set when your PERM labor certification is filed with the Department of Labor (for EB-2 and EB-3), or when your I-140 is filed (for EB-1 and EB-2 NIW). It sets your place in the visa queue. The Priority Date Checker at /tools/priority-date-checker compares your priority date against the current month's Final Action Date and Dates for Filing from the US Department of State visa bulletin.

How long is the EB-2 India green card wait time in 2026?

The EB-2 India Final Action Date is currently in the early 2010s — meaning only applicants who filed PERM in 2012–2013 are eligible for green card approval today. New EB-2 India applicants filing in 2024–2026 face multi-decade waits under current demand. The Green Card Wait Time Tracker at /tools/green-card-tracker uses USCIS I-485 inventory data to show how many people are ahead of you.

What does IOE, LIN, SRC, EAC, WAC, or MSC mean on my USCIS receipt number?

These are USCIS service center and filing location codes: LIN = Nebraska, SRC = Texas, EAC = Vermont, WAC = California, IOE = USCIS ELIS electronic system, MSC = National Benefits Center. The Receipt Number Prefix Decoder at /tools/uscis-receipt-number-decoder explains each prefix in detail.

What is the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing?

The Final Action Date (Table A) controls when USCIS can approve your green card — your priority date must be on or before this cutoff. Dates for Filing (Table B) is an earlier cutoff that, when USCIS authorizes it monthly, lets you file your I-485 for EAD and Advance Parole before your Final Action Date is current. Only use Table B when USCIS explicitly announces authorization at uscis.gov/visabulletininfo each month.

Can I file I-485 before my priority date is current under Final Action Dates?

Yes — but only if USCIS has authorized the Dates for Filing chart for that month AND your priority date qualifies under Table B. USCIS announces this authorization monthly. Filing under Table B gives you EAD and Advance Parole, but your green card will not be approved until your Final Action Date is also current.

What are the H-1B lottery odds for Indians in 2026?

The H-1B lottery is not specific to country of birth — all applicants worldwide compete from the same pool. 85,000 visas are available annually (65,000 general + 20,000 for US master's degree holders). Registration pools have ranged from roughly 350,000 to over 750,000 in recent years, putting single-registration odds at approximately 15%–35%. The H-1B Lottery Timeline tool at /tools/h1b-lottery-timeline tracks your dates and odds.

How long does an H-1B extension take in 2026?

A regular H-1B extension or transfer (Form I-129) typically takes 2–4 months at USCIS. Premium processing guarantees USCIS action within 15 business days for an additional $2,805 fee — action means approval, denial, or RFE, not necessarily final approval. See full current timelines at /tools/processing-times.

What can an H-4 EAD spouse do for work?

An H-4 EAD holder can work in any occupation for any employer, run their own business, freelance, and take on consulting work. H-4 EAD is available only when the H-1B spouse has an approved I-140 petition (or is in an H-1B extension beyond 6 years based on an approved I-140). The H-4 EAD Navigator at /tools/h4-ead-navigator helps understand eligibility, work options, and renewal gap risks.

Are these USCIS processing time estimates accurate?

Processing time estimates are typical published ranges sourced from USCIS, the State Department, and VFS Global. Individual cases routinely run faster or slower depending on service center workload, Requests for Evidence, security checks, and USCIS staffing. Use them for planning — not as guarantees. Always check your specific receipt on the official USCIS case tracker for the most current status.

Is NRItoUSA affiliated with USCIS, DHS, or the Department of State?

No. NRItoUSA is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, or any US government agency. All tools on this site are educational only and do not constitute legal or immigration advice. Always verify information on the official USCIS website (uscis.gov), State Department (travel.state.gov), and consult a licensed immigration attorney for advice specific to your situation.

Disclaimer: All tools on this page are for general educational purposes only and are not legal or immigration advice. NRItoUSA is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Department of State. Data in these tools (visa bulletin dates, processing times, I-485 inventory) is updated periodically from official government sources but may not reflect the very latest figures. Always verify on uscis.gov and travel.state.gov and consult a licensed immigration attorney for advice specific to your situation.

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