Understanding the EB Visa Bulletin
A Simple Guide for Business Managers and HR Professionals
If your company hires foreign talent or plans to in the future, you’ve probably heard of the Visa Bulletin, the monthly publication that determines when sponsored employees can move forward in the green card process. For many HR professionals, the visa bulletin feels confusing and overly technical. But once you understand the basic concepts, it becomes a predictable tool you can use for workforce planning and risk management.
Here’s a straightforward guide designed specifically for business managers and HR leaders.
What Is the Visa Bulletin?
The U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin every month. It tells us who can receive a green card now based on:
The employee’s employment-based category (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, etc.)
The employee’s country of chargeability (usually their country of birth)
Because annual green card numbers are capped, and because demand varies by country, some categories move quickly while others experience long waits.
Key Concept #1: Priority Date
When your company files an employee’s green card case, they receive a priority date. Think of it as their place in line.
For PERM-based green cards, the priority date is the PERM filing date.
For NIW or EB-1A self-petitions, it is the I-140 filing date.
The employee cannot receive a green card until their priority date becomes “current” in the visa bulletin.
Key Concept #2: Final Action Date vs. Dates for Filing
The visa bulletin has two important charts:
Final Action Dates
This chart determines when a green card can actually be approved.
Dates for Filing
This chart determines when an employee may file an adjustment of status application (the last stage of the process).
USCIS announces each month which chart applicants can use.
For HR:
If an employee can file, they may receive benefits like work authorization and travel permission.
If their case reaches Final Action, the green card can be issued.
Why Countries Move at Different Speeds
Some countries have far more applicants in certain categories. Employees born in India and China, for example, often face multi-year waits due to high demand.
Employees from most other countries (“All Chargeability Areas”) often see relatively fast movement in EB-1 and EB-2 categories, an advantage for companies hiring globally.
Why This Matters for HR and Business Planning
Understanding the visa bulletin helps HR teams:
Predict when employees may obtain permanent residency
Anticipate when employees will become eligible for employment authorization
Plan staffing needs and reduce risk of unexpected work interruptions
Communicate more clearly with sponsored employees
Decide whether certain green card categories (like NIW or EB-1A) provide faster options
In competitive fields where retaining international talent is crucial, the visa bulletin becomes an essential planning tool.
Final Thoughts
The EB Visa Bulletin doesn’t need to be confusing. With a few core concepts (priority dates, chargeability, and monthly movement) HR leaders can confidently navigate green card timelines and support their international employees more effectively.
If you’d like a custom visa bulletin briefing or help mapping out green card strategies for your workforce, our office can assist.
