US Visa Bulletin Explained: Priority Dates & Chart A vs B (2026)
Master guide to navigating the monthly US Department of State Visa Bulletin. Learn how priority dates work for EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and F1–F4 family petitions, and how to track consular interviews in Islamabad.
- The US Visa Bulletin is published monthly by the Department of State to regulate statutory immigrant visa quotas set by Congress.
- Your 'Priority Date' is your place in the immigration queue, established when your I-130 family petition or PERM labor certification was filed.
- Chart A (Final Action Dates) governs when an immigrant visa can be officially issued or an I-485 approved.
- Chart B (Dates for Filing) indicates when applicants can assemble and submit civil documents and fee payments to the National Visa Center (NVC).
- Pakistani applicants fall under the 'All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed' column, which moves significantly faster than India or China queues.
1. What is the US Visa Bulletin & Why Does It Exist?
The United States Congress enforces strict annual statutory limits on the number of permanent immigrant visas (Green Cards) issued each fiscal year: - Family-Sponsored Preference: 226,000 visas per year. - Employment-Based Preference: 140,000 visas per year. - Per-Country Ceiling: No single country can receive more than 7% of total immigrant visas.
Because global demand far exceeds these statutory caps, a massive backlog exists. The US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs publishes the Visa Bulletin each month to regulate which applicants have reached the front of the line.
2. Deciphering Key Terminology: Priority Date & Chargeability
To read the Visa Bulletin, you must understand three core concepts:
1. Priority Date (PD)
Your Priority Date is your official place in the immigration queue: - For Family Petitions (I-130): The date USCIS officially received the petition. - For Employment Petitions (I-140 / PERM): The date the Department of Labor accepted the PERM labor certification, or the date USCIS received the I-140 (for EB-1 or EB-2 NIW).
2. Country of Chargeability
Pakistani nationals are chargeable to the "All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed" category. Because Pakistan is not subject to the extreme retrogressions affecting India and mainland China, Pakistani applicants typically enjoy much faster priority date movements in employment categories.
3. Current ('C') vs. Retrogression
If a category is marked "C" (Current), there is no backlog; visas can be issued immediately. If a specific date is shown (e.g. `01JAN24`), only applicants whose Priority Date is earlier than that date can proceed.
3. Chart A vs. Chart B: What Do They Mean?
Every monthly Visa Bulletin contains two separate tables for both Family and Employment preferences:
Chart A: Final Action Dates
This date determines when an immigrant visa can actually be issued by the US Embassy in Islamabad or when an I-485 Adjustment of Status can be approved. - Rule: If your priority date is earlier than the Final Action Date, your immigrant visa can be stamped.
Chart B: Dates for Filing
This date indicates when an applicant is eligible to assemble and submit documents to the National Visa Center (NVC) through the CEAC portal (paying DS-260 fees and uploading Form I-864 Affidavit of Support). - Rule: Chart B dates are further ahead in the future, giving applicants 6 to 12 months to prepare before their Final Action Date becomes current.
4. Key Preference Categories for Pakistani Applicants
| Category | Description | Backlog Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Priority Workers (Extraordinary Ability, Multinational Execs) | Generally Current or minimal wait |
| EB-2 / NIW | Advanced Degrees & National Interest Waivers | 1 to 2 Years wait time |
| EB-3 | Skilled Workers & Professionals | 1.5 to 2.5 Years wait time |
| F1 | Unmarried Sons & Daughters of US Citizens (21+) | 7 to 9 Years wait time |
| F2A | Spouses and Minor Children of Green Card Holders | 2 to 3 Years wait time |
| F3 | Married Sons & Daughters of US Citizens | 12 to 14 Years wait time |
| F4 | Brothers & Sisters of Adult US Citizens | 15 to 17 Years wait time |
AMG Visa provides comprehensive priority date monitoring, NVC documentary qualification filings, and immigrant visa interview preparation for the US Embassy in Islamabad.
What are the requirements for a USA B1/B2 visit visa from Pakistan in 2026?
To apply for a US B1/B2 visitor visa from Pakistan, applicants must submit the online DS-160 form, pay the $185 MRV fee, and attend a mandatory in-person interview at the US Embassy Islamabad or US Consulate Karachi. Overcoming immigrant intent under INA Section 214(b) requires proving strong socio-economic ties to Pakistan.
| Visa Subclass | B1/B2 Non-Immigrant Visitor Visa |
| Official Government MRV Fee | $185 USD (~PKR 52,000) |
| Mandatory Online Form | DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) |
| Interview Locations | U.S. Embassy Islamabad & U.S. Consulate General Karachi |
| Core Adjudication Standard | Overcoming immigrant intent (INA 214b) with strong Pakistani ties |
| Visa Validity If Granted | Typically 5 Years Multiple Entry for Pakistani Citizens |
Independent Consultancy Notice: AMG Visa is an independent travel and consular advisory firm. All statutory government visa fees are paid directly to diplomatic missions or designated biometric centers.
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Visa GuidesVisa GuidesVisa GuidesPolicy AlertUS Visa Bulletin Explained — FAQs
Quick answers regarding this guide, embassy policy interpretations, and case representation.
When your Priority Date is earlier than the Final Action Date on Chart A and you are Documentarily Qualified (DQ) at the NVC, the National Visa Center will schedule your immigrant visa interview appointment at the US Embassy in Islamabad.
Yes. When more immigrant visa numbers are used up in a fiscal quarter than anticipated, the Department of State will retrogress (move cut-off dates backward) in the next monthly bulletin until the start of the next fiscal year on October 1.
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