Section A: Final Action Dates
The final action dates chart shows which priority dates have reached the front of the line. These green card applications are ready for approval right now.
Section B: Dates For Filing
The dates for filing chart shows which green card applicants who are living outside of the United States should go ahead and submit their application with the National Visa Center (NVC) even though a green card is not ready just yet. The cut-off dates in the dates for filing chart are slightly later (1-10 months) than those in the final action dates chart, which allows green card applicants to file their applications that much sooner.
The dates for filing chart is primarily directed at people who will be applying for a green card from outside the United States, but USCIS publishes a page called when to file your adjustment of status application every month that indicates whether green card applicants living in the United States can submit their green card application based on the visa bulletin s dates for filing chart or whether they need to wait to meet the dates in the final action dates chart.
Why Do These Different Dates Matter?
For green card applicants living outside the United States, the dates for filing chart allows you to get an early start on assembling and submitting all the required documents to the National Visa Center (NVC). This sets the ball rolling, and ensures that the NVC has everything ready once your priority date appears in the final action dates chart and a green card is available to you.
For green card applicants living in the United States, the dates for filing chart opens the door to additional benefits. That s because when filing a green card application with USCIS (technically an I-485 form for adjustment of status ), you can simultaneously apply for a work permit (employment authorization document) and travel permit (advance parole document). For applicants who intend to work in the United States or travel outside the United States while waiting for their green card applications to be processed, these additional benefits can be invaluable.