What is a priority date?

Detailed Explanation

The priority date is like your ticket number in a queue. It's the date USCIS received your family-based petition (I-130) or employment petition (I-140). For most categories, visa numbers are limited annually, so cases are processed in priority date order. You must wait until the Visa Bulletin shows your priority date is 'current' before your case can proceed to final stages. Immediate relatives (IR1, CR1, IR5) don't have this wait. The priority date appears on your I-797 approval notice and never changes even if you move between categories (e.g., F2A to F2B due to aging out). CaseTracker Auto automatically tracks your priority date against each new Visa Bulletin.

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