This is one of the most common and confusing questions in employment-based green card processing: “If my priority date becomes current next month, when can I expect my I-485 to be approved?”
Let’s break it down clearly.
Final Action Date (FAD) vs. Dates for Filing (DOF)
When USCIS allows you to file your I-485 adjustment of status based on the Dates for Filing (DOF) chart, that just means they are accepting your application early — it does not mean your case will be processed or adjudicated right away.
USCIS only initiates adjudication of your I-485 when your Priority Date (PD) becomes current under the Final Action Date (FAD) chart.
So, even if you’ve received your:
- Advance Parole (AP)
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
…your I-485 will sit in a queue, waiting until your PD becomes current under the FAD chart before the officer begins actively reviewing your case.
What Happens When the Visa Bulletin Updates?
Let’s say it’s April 10th, and the Department of State updates the Visa Bulletin. It now shows that your PD will become current in the May Visa Bulletin. Understandably, you might wonder:
“Can I be approved in April? Or do I need to wait until May? Or will it take even longer?”
Here’s what you should know:
- Approval in April?
Unlikely. Officers generally cannot approve I-485 applications before the priority date becomes current under the FAD chart. Even if the May bulletin is published in April, it doesn’t take effect until May 1st.
- Approval in May?
Possibly. Once May begins, if your PD is current and your case has already been pre-processed (e.g., your biometrics are done, your medical exam is valid, no RFEs are pending), an officer could approve it in May.
- Approval in June, July, or later?
Also possible. Just because your PD becomes current doesn’t guarantee immediate approval. Officers may still need time to review your case.
Factors That Influence I-485 Processing Time
Once your PD is current, several factors determine how quickly your case gets decided:
- How much of your case was reviewed before your PD became current
- Whether a Request for Evidence (RFE) is needed (e.g., for updated medicals)
- Whether an officer needs more clarification on your supporting documents
- Availability of visa numbers in your category
- Your country of chargeability (see below)
- Local field office or service center backlogs
Does Country of Chargeability Matter?
Yes, it can.
Applicants from countries with less demand — known as Rest of World (ROW) — often experience shorter backlogs and quicker approvals once their PD becomes current. In contrast, applicants from India or China, where backlogs are significant, might face longer delays even after their dates are current due to the sheer volume of applicants and limited visa numbers allocated for those countries.
However, once you’re current under the FAD chart, your case is considered for adjudication regardless of country, assuming a visa number is available.
What Are the Median I-485 Processing Times in 2025?
As of 2025, USCIS reports that EB-based I-485 adjudications take about 6.5 months after the PD becomes current.
This is the median, meaning:
Half of the cases were approved in less than 6.5 months, and half took longer.
TL;DR: Key Takeaways
- USCIS does not adjudicate your I-485 until your PD is current under the FAD chart.
- Even if you have AP/EAD, your I-485 remains pending until your PD becomes current.
- Once current, approval depends on your case’s status, completeness, and USCIS workload.
- In 2025, median approval time after PD becomes current is 6.5 months.
- Applicants from ROW may experience quicker approvals due to less demand.
If you’re planning major life events — a job change, travel, relocation — it’s totally understandable to want clarity on when your green card will arrive. While there’s no way to predict the exact month, understanding how USCIS processes cases can help you plan more realistically.
Need personalized help navigating your I-485 or green card journey? Our firm helps individuals and companies understand and manage the employment-based immigration process. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
