Is your family petition ready for the next step?
An approved family petition is an important milestone, but it does
not always mean a green card can be issued immediately. Many applicants
must also track a preference category, country of chargeability and
priority date. The Department of State’s monthly Visa
Bulletin is the tool that shows when a case may move into document
preparation or final action.
CTA: If your priority date is approaching the
published date, ask Lopez &
Sanchez LLP to review the filing path before submitting new forms or
fees.
Key takeaways
- The Visa Bulletin changes every month.
- “Dates for Filing” and “Final Action Dates” answer different
questions. - USCIS selected the Dates for Filing chart for
family-sponsored adjustment filings in September 2026. - F2A is listed as current on the September 2026 filing chart, but
eligibility requirements still apply. - Form I-130 approval does not itself grant lawful status, work
authorization or protection from removal. - Entry history, prior filings, criminal history and possible
inadmissibility issues should be reviewed before Form I-485 is
filed.
What is new for September
2026?
The September
2026 Visa Bulletin moved dates forward in several categories while
warning that later retrogression remains possible if demand increases or
annual limits are reached. USCIS separately instructed family-sponsored
adjustment applicants to use the Dates
for Filing chart for September.
That combination may create a filing opportunity for some families.
It is not a blanket invitation to file. The applicant still needs the
correct category, chargeability column and a priority date earlier than
the applicable cutoff.
Three concepts that must
stay separate
Petition approval
Form I-130 is used to establish a qualifying family relationship.
Approval confirms that part of the case; it does not complete the
green-card process. Learn about the firm’s family-based
immigration services.
Priority date
For most family-preference cases, the priority date is generally the
date USCIS properly received the petition. It establishes the
beneficiary’s place in a numerically limited category.
Visa availability
Visa availability depends on the category and chargeability area
shown in the monthly Bulletin. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are
different: USCIS
states that immigrant visas are always available for qualifying
immediate relatives, though every other legal requirement still
applies.
Quick-reference table
| Item | What it tells you | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Priority date | Your chronological place in a limited category | I-797 receipt, petition history and category changes |
| F1 | Unmarried adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens | Marital status and chargeability |
| F2A | Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents | Age, marital status and petitioner’s current status |
| F2B | Unmarried adult sons and daughters of permanent residents | Marital status and any later naturalization of petitioner |
| F3 | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens | Derivatives and family composition |
| F4 | Siblings of adult U.S. citizens | Petitioner’s age and the category’s long queue |
| “C” | Current for that chart | Full eligibility; current does not mean automatic approval |
| “U” | Unauthorized for issuance or filing in that chart | Do not rely on petition approval alone |
A safe way to check
your filing position
- Find the priority date on the I-797 notice.
- Confirm the preference category.
- Use the correct chargeability column; Mexico has a separate
column. - Check which chart USCIS authorizes for that month.
- Confirm that the priority date is earlier than the listed date.
- Review adjustment or consular-processing eligibility before
filing.
Common mistakes
Treating the
filing chart as an approval chart
Dates for Filing may allow a person to submit documents before a visa
can receive final action. It does not promise approval or immediate
residence.
Assuming an I-130
creates lawful status
An approved petition does not automatically cure an overstay,
authorize employment or stop another immigration proceeding.
Missing a category change
Marriage, divorce, the petitioner’s naturalization or a child
reaching age 21 can affect classification. Child Status Protection Act
questions require a case-specific calculation.
Preparing for a legal
review in Chicago
Bring the I-797 notices, passports, entry records, civil documents
and all USCIS or National Visa Center correspondence. A careful review
should identify whether the next step is adjustment of status, consular
processing or simply continued monitoring. Related resources include Green Cards and
the firm’s broader Immigration Law
practice.
Frequently asked questions
What
does “current” mean for F2A on the Dates for Filing chart?
It means that chart has no filing cutoff for the category during that
month. The applicant must still confirm that USCIS permits use of the
chart and that all adjustment requirements are met.
Does an
approved I-130 provide work authorization?
No. I-130 approval alone does not authorize employment. Work
authorization requires an independent legal basis and the appropriate
filing.
Can I
keep using the September chart after September ends?
Do not assume so. The Department of State issues a new Bulletin
monthly, and USCIS identifies the chart that adjustment applicants may
use each month.
Why does Mexico have a
separate column?
Some countries, including Mexico, have separate cutoffs because of
statutory per-country limits and demand. The correct category and
chargeability area must be used.