Final Action Date vs Dates for Filing: Which Chart Matters for I-485?
The visa bulletin has two charts — Final Action Date and Dates for Filing — and which one matters depends on what USCIS announces each month.
In a nutshell
The visa bulletin has two charts. Table A (Final Action Dates) is the strict cutoff for green card approval. Table B (Dates for Filing) is an earlier window that sometimes allows you to file I-485 before your Final Action Date is current — but only if USCIS authorizes its use each month. Always check both the visa bulletin AND the monthly USCIS Visa Bulletin Acceptance memo.
The two charts in the visa bulletin
Every month, the State Department publishes two priority date charts:
| Chart | Name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Table A | Final Action Dates | USCIS may APPROVE your green card when your priority date is on/before this date |
| Table B | Dates for Filing | USCIS may ACCEPT your I-485 filing when your priority date is on/before this date — earlier than Table A |
Table B is always more recent (more favorable) than Table A. It exists to allow applicants to file I-485 and get work/travel authorization while waiting for their final approval.
Common mistakes
- Table B is not always available. USCIS must publish a "Visa Bulletin Acceptance" memo each month authorizing use of Table B. Check uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for the current month's announcement. If USCIS says Table A must be used, then Table B is irrelevant — even if your priority date would qualify under Table B.
How to use Table A (Final Action Dates)
Table A is always the governing chart for green card approval. Your priority date must be:
- On or before the Final Action Date listed for your category (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3) and country (India, Other)
- Current in the month when USCIS adjudicates your I-485 — not just the month you filed
A priority date that is current under Table A means USCIS can approve your green card.
In a nutshell
If the bulletin shows "C" (Current) for your category and country, all priority dates in that category qualify — your date is automatically current.
How to use Table B (Dates for Filing)
If USCIS authorizes Table B use that month:
- Your priority date only needs to be on or before the Table B date to FILE I-485
- Filing I-485 gives you access to EAD (work permit) and Advance Parole (travel) while waiting
- Filing under Table B does NOT mean your green card will be approved — USCIS holds the case until your Final Action Date (Table A) is also current
- If your Final Action Date retrogresses after you file, your I-485 stays pending — you do not refile
Recommended
- Filing under Table B while waiting for Final Action Date is a powerful strategy for Indian applicants. It lets you get an EAD (so you're not dependent on H1B status) and AP (for travel) while you wait for your Table A date to catch up.
Step-by-step: which chart to check
- Find your priority date (from your PERM receipt or I-140 approval notice)
- Go to travel.state.gov and open the current month's visa bulletin
- Check Table A for your EB category (EB-1/EB-2/EB-3) and India row
- If your priority date is on or before Table A: you can file I-485 and be approved
- If not: go to uscis.gov/visabulletininfo to check if Table B is authorized this month
- If Table B is authorized and your priority date is on or before Table B: you can file I-485
What this means for Indian applicants
For India EB-2 and EB-3, Table B typically shows dates 6–18 months ahead of Table A. This matters because:
- If your priority date falls in the Table B range, you can file I-485 now and get EAD/AP
- If your priority date is before both tables, your green card can be approved
- If your priority date is after both tables, you are still waiting
Pro tips
- Even if Table B is authorized, file I-485 only when it makes financial and strategic sense. Your attorney can advise on whether the filing fees and effort are worth it based on how close your Final Action Date is expected to be.
Frequently asked questions
#### What happens to my I-485 if Table B is revoked after I filed? Nothing — once filed, your I-485 stays pending regardless of future bulletin changes. You cannot unfile. USCIS will approve when your Final Action Date (Table A) becomes current.
#### Can USCIS deny my I-485 because I filed under Table B? No — if you met the Table B filing requirement at the time of filing and USCIS authorized it that month, your filing is valid. USCIS will hold the case and not deny it solely because Table B was subsequently rescinded.
#### Table B showed dates for my category but USCIS didn't authorize it. Can I still file? No. Table B dates in the visa bulletin are not self-executing. They require an explicit USCIS monthly authorization. Without it, Table A governs.
Check your priority date against the visa bulletin
Use the Priority Date Checker to compare your EB category, country, and priority date against the current visa bulletin data.
Open Priority Date Checker →