If you have filed Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) and your priority date retrogresses, you may feel worried or confused about what happens next. This guide will help you understand What priority date retrogression means, how it affects your green card process, your work and travel permissions, and what steps you should take to protect your status and plans. By following this guide, you’ll know how to keep your application on track, avoid common mistakes, and make smart decisions while you wait for your priority date to become current again.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide:
– What priority date retrogression is and why it happens
– Who is affected and what eligibility rules apply
– Step-by-step actions to take if your priority date retrogresses after filing I-485
– Which documents you need and where to find them
– How long the process may take and what it costs
– Common mistakes to avoid during retrogression
– What to do next while you wait for your green card
Understanding Priority Date Retrogression and Eligibility
A priority date is the date when your employer or family member filed your immigrant petition (like Form I-140 or I-130) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This date decides your place in line for a green card. Each month, the U.S. Department of State releases the Visa Bulletin, which shows which priority dates are “current” for each visa category and country.
Priority date retrogresses means your priority date is no longer current. This can happen if too many people from your country or in your visa category apply for green cards, and the government runs out of available visas for that group. When this happens after you’ve filed your I-485, it affects how quickly your application can be approved.
Who is affected?
– People who have filed Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) based on an employment-based or family-based immigrant petition
– Applicants whose priority date was current when they filed, but later retrogressed before USCIS made a final decision
Key eligibility rules:
– You must have filed your I-485 when your priority date was current
– You must keep your application active by renewing work and travel documents as needed
– You must not leave the United States 🇺🇸 without proper travel permission (Advance Parole) while your I-485 is pending
Step-by-Step Process When Your Priority Date Retrogresses After Filing I-485
- File I-485 When Your Priority Date Is Current
- Check the Visa Bulletin to see if your priority date is current for your category and country.
- File Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) with USCIS. You can find the official form and instructions here.
- USCIS Accepts and Processes Your Application
- After you file, USCIS will send you a receipt notice.
- You can also apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) using Form I-765 and for Advance Parole (travel document) using Form I-131.
- USCIS may approve your EAD and Advance Parole while your I-485 is pending.
- Priority Date Retrogresses
- If the Visa Bulletin changes and your priority date is no longer current, your case is affected.
- USCIS cannot approve your I-485 until your priority date becomes current again.
- USCIS Places Your I-485 on Hold
- Your application is not denied or canceled. It is simply paused until visa numbers are available for your priority date.
- You will receive updates from USCIS, but no final decision will be made until your date is current.
- Continue to Renew EAD and Advance Parole
- Priority Date Becomes Current Again
- When the Visa Bulletin shows your priority date is current, USCIS will resume processing your I-485.
- If all other requirements are met, USCIS may approve your green card.
Required Documents and Official Links
To keep your application active and maintain your work and travel rights, you’ll need:
– Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status): USCIS I-485 page
– Form I-765 (EAD): USCIS I-765 page
– Form I-131 (Advance Parole): USCIS I-131 page
– Visa Bulletin: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin
– USCIS Processing Times: USCIS Processing Times
Timelines and Costs
- I-485 Processing: Median time is about 6.9 months, but retrogression can make the wait much longer.
- EAD Renewal: About 1.9 months (median as of mid-2025).
- Advance Parole Renewal: About 6.1 months (median as of mid-2025).
- Fees: As of 2025, the I-485 filing fee is $1,140 (plus $85 for biometrics if required). EAD and Advance Parole renewals may have separate fees, but sometimes are free if filed with I-485.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Letting EAD or Advance Parole Expire: If your EAD expires and you don’t have another valid status (like H-1B), you may lose your right to work. If your Advance Parole expires, you may not be able to return to the United States 🇺🇸 if you travel abroad.
- Traveling Without Advance Parole: Leaving the United States 🇺🇸 without a valid Advance Parole while your I-485 is pending can cause USCIS to consider your application abandoned.
- Not Monitoring the Visa Bulletin: If you don’t check the Visa Bulletin each month, you may miss when your priority date becomes current again.
- Missing Renewal Deadlines: Start your EAD and Advance Parole renewals early—at least 180 days before expiration—to avoid gaps.
- Assuming Retrogression Means Denial: Retrogression only delays your green card approval; it does not mean your application is denied or canceled.
Practical Tips and Examples
- Example: Maria filed her I-485 in May 2025 when her EB-2 priority date was current. In August 2025, the Visa Bulletin showed her priority date retrogressed by 1.5 months. Her I-485 was put on hold, but her EAD and Advance Parole were still valid. She renewed both documents before they expired and kept checking the Visa Bulletin. In October 2025, her priority date became current again, and USCIS approved her green card.
- Tip: Always keep copies of your receipt notices, approval notices, and renewal applications. These documents are important if you need to prove your status or work authorization to an employer or government agency.
- Tip: If you have another valid status (like H-1B or L-1), try to keep it active as a backup in case of EAD delays.
What to Do Next
- Stay Informed: Check the Visa Bulletin every month to see if your priority date is current.
- Renew Documents Early: File for EAD and Advance Parole renewals at least 180 days before expiration.
- Consult an Attorney: If you have questions about your status, travel plans, or work authorization, talk to an immigration attorney for personalized advice.
- Keep Records: Save all notices and approvals from USCIS.
- Watch for USCIS Updates: Processing times and policies can change, so check the USCIS website for the latest information.
Summary and Reassurance
If your priority date retrogresses after you file I-485, your green card approval will be delayed, but your application is not denied. You can keep working and traveling with valid EAD and Advance Parole documents. The most important things are to renew your documents on time, avoid risky travel, and keep checking the Visa Bulletin. As reported by VisaVerge.com, retrogression is a normal part of the green card process, and staying prepared will help you get your green card as soon as your priority date becomes current again.
By following these steps and staying alert, you can protect your status and keep your plans on track, even when the process takes longer than expected.
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