Exactly what does the priority date mean for immigration?

If you're just starting your green card journey, you've likely bumped into the term and wondered what does the priority date mean for immigration and why everyone seems so obsessed with it. To put it simply, your priority date is your place in the massive, often frustrating line for a U.S. visa. Think of it like a ticket at a busy deli; the number on that ticket determines when it's finally your turn to be served. If there are more people than sandwiches—or in this case, more applicants than available visas—you have to wait until your number is called. ...

May 20, 2026 · 7 min · Badillo Corinne