As an international nurse seeking an EB-3 green card (Schedule A) to live and work permanently in the U.S., you’ll hear the term priority date frequently. Think of it as your “ticket number” in line for a limited number of green cards each year. This article dives deep into how priority dates work, when you can file for Adjustment of Status (AOS), and how wait times have evolved—so you can plan your journey confidently.
1. What Is a Priority Date?
Your priority date is the date when USCIS (or the Department of Labor, if a labor certification is required) receives your I-140 petition. It establishes your place in the queue for an EB-3 visa number. Only when your priority date is “current” under the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin can you move forward with the final steps of your green card process en.wikipedia.org.
2. The Visa Bulletin: Final Action vs. Dates for Filing
Each month, the Department of State publishes a Visa Bulletin in two charts:
- Final Action Dates (FAD): When a visa number can actually be “cut” and a green card granted.
- Dates for Filing (DFF): When you are allowed to submit your AOS (Form I-485) or consular documents.
For Schedule A nurses, you follow the EB-3 row. If your priority date is earlier than the date shown in the relevant chart, you’re eligible to file or receive final action travel.state.gov.
3. Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing
- Adjustment of Status (AOS): You remain in the U.S. (on a valid visa) and file Form I-485. As of FY 2025, AOS processing averages 6.9 months at USCIS service centers immi-usa.com.
- Consular Processing: You complete visa steps at a U.S. consulate abroad. This route can sometimes be faster but carries risks of “administrative processing” delays.
Your priority date must be current under the FAD chart to receive final approval—regardless of which path you choose.
4. Historical Wait Times for Nurses
- Pre-2020: Schedule A nurses generally enjoyed “current” priority dates—meaning no significant backlog.
- Early 2024: A brief retrogression occurred, pushing EB-3 dates back to December 1, 2022 for most countries, due to high demand across all EB categories epicinternationalstaffing.com.
- 2025 Present: Backlogs have eased, and many African-born nurses are again seeing their priority dates become current within 2 years of I-140 filing immi-usa.com
5. Why Retrogression Happens
When demand for EB-3 visas exceeds the annual supply (40,000 visas plus any spillover), the Visa Bulletin cut-off dates can retrogress—moving backward—holding cases in abeyance until numbers free up. Retrogression typically occurs late in the fiscal year (before October 1) and reverses once the new fiscal year’s numbers are released uscis.gov.
6. Future Outlook
- Green Card Recapture: Legislative proposals aim to “recapture” unused visas from past years, potentially freeing hundreds of thousands of visas and reducing backlogs across EB categories fwd.us.
- Visa Reform Talks: Periodic bipartisan efforts may adjust per-country caps or create separate allocations for healthcare workers, which could shorten waits for nurses.
While nothing is guaranteed, staying informed on legislative developments and Visa Bulletin movements is key to anticipating your own timeline.
7. Key Takeaways for Nurses
- Track Your Priority Date: Note your I-140 receipt date—it’s your “place in line.”
- Monitor the Visa Bulletin: Check both FAD and DFF charts monthly.
- Choose the Right Path: AOS gives work-authorization and travel flexibility in the U.S., while consular processing may be quicker abroad.
- Consult Experts: Work with your U.S. employer’s immigration team or a reputable attorney to navigate retrogressions and timing.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. I am not an immigration attorney. For advice tailored to your specific situation, please consult a qualified immigration professional.
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