(UNITED STATES) Applicants can still file Form I-485 applications based on the Visa Bulletin Dates for Filing chart during a federal shutdown — provided USCIS Visa Bulletin charts has designated the use of the Dates for Filing chart for that month. That monthly decision, not the government’s funding status, controls whether a case can be filed, according to current agency practice for tracking priority dates and adjustment-of-status timing.
The core rule is simple: if the Dates for Filing chart is in effect and an applicant’s priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff, they may file their I-485 even if a shutdown is underway. If USCIS Visa Bulletin charts requires the Final Action Dates chart for that month, applicants must wait until their date is current under that chart.
Key difference between Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates
- Final Action Dates governs when USCIS can approve or finalize green card applications.
- Dates for Filing allows certain applicants to file earlier, enabling them to start the process sooner and often obtain interim benefits (work authorization and advance parole) that typically move with an adjustment case.
During a shutdown, that difference does not change: USCIS’s monthly chart selection remains the gatekeeper for whether someone can file.
Where to check which chart applies
USCIS clarifies each month which chart applies for filing. Applicants should check the agency’s monthly notice before sending anything to a lockbox or service center.
- Official USCIS resource for chart selection: USCIS Visa Bulletin charts
Practical implications and processing speed
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, shutdowns do not, by themselves, block filing if USCIS continues to accept applications under the month’s Visa Bulletin guidance. Families and workers preparing application packages should:
- Monitor the monthly chart selection and file when eligible, rather than assuming a shutdown causes an automatic stop.
- Expect possible slower processing if broader government operations are trimmed.
- Prepare complete, well-organized packets to reduce avoidable delays.
Policy clarification during shutdowns
Shutdowns do not automatically prevent filing. USCIS operations can be limited during a funding lapse, but the agency’s monthly announcement on which Visa Bulletin chart applies remains the deciding factor on whether a case can be lodged.
- If Dates for Filing is active and an applicant’s priority date is earlier than the cutoff, filing Form I-485 is permitted even during a shutdown.
- If Final Action Dates is required for the month, applicants must wait until their priority date is current on that chart.
Form and evidence requirements — avoid rejections
Applicants should verify they’re using the current edition of Form I-485 (edition date 10/24/24, as of February 10, 2025). Using an outdated form can lead to rejection.
- Official form page: Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
- USCIS expects complete filing packages, including supporting evidence and, when available, Form I-693 medical exam results from a civil surgeon.
- Submitting the medical at the time of filing can help reduce follow-up requests and keep the case moving.
- Official medical exam form: Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
Why the chart selection matters
The monthly decision to allow Dates for Filing or require Final Action Dates has practical consequences:
- When Dates for Filing is in effect:
- Applicants can file earlier, securing their place in line.
- Many become eligible for interim benefits (EAD/AP), adding stability while they wait.
- When Final Action Dates is required:
- Applicants must wait until their priority date is current on that chart before filing.
Therefore, the consistent advice is: monitor USCIS’s monthly notice and be ready to file promptly when Dates for Filing is authorized. If USCIS switches to Final Action Dates, pause and track the bulletin until becoming current.
Practical steps for applicants
Follow these actionable steps based on USCIS guidance:
- Check USCIS’s monthly announcement to confirm whether Dates for Filing or Final Action Dates applies for filing.
- If Dates for Filing is authorized:
- Confirm your priority date is earlier than the posted cutoff.
- Prepare and submit your I-485 packet.
- If Final Action Dates is required:
- Wait until your priority date becomes current on that chart before filing.
- Use the current I-485 form edition (10/24/24 as of Feb 10, 2025) and follow official instructions.
- Include all required documents and, when possible, submit Form I-693 with your initial filing to avoid extra steps.
- Keep copies of everything and use trackable mailing to confirm delivery — especially important if operations are limited during a shutdown.
Summary checklist (distilled)
- USCIS announces monthly whether to use Dates for Filing or Final Action Dates for I-485 filing.
- If Dates for Filing is in effect, eligible applicants can file I-485 even during a shutdown.
- If Final Action Dates is required, applicants must wait until their priority date is current under that chart.
- Use current forms and include required documents (e.g., I-693) to avoid rejection or delays.
- Shutdowns do not automatically block filing if USCIS confirms acceptance based on the month’s chart selection.
Final takeaways
- The ability to file hinges on USCIS’s monthly chart decision, not on whether the government is fully funded.
- Preparing a complete, well-organized filing package and using the correct form edition are actions applicants can control to minimize delays.
- For a single monthly reference on chart choice and adjustment filing guidance, rely on the USCIS page: USCIS Visa Bulletin charts.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
USCIS issues a monthly decision specifying whether the Visa Bulletin’s Dates for Filing or Final Action Dates chart governs I-485 filings. That monthly chart selection — not a government shutdown — determines if applicants with priority dates earlier than the listed cutoff can file Form I-485. When Dates for Filing is in effect, eligible applicants may submit I-485 and often obtain interim benefits like EAD and advance parole; when Final Action Dates is required, applicants must wait until their date is current. Applicants should use the current I-485 edition (10/24/24 as of Feb 10, 2025), include required supporting documents such as Form I-693 when available, monitor USCIS monthly notices, and prepare complete packages to minimize rejections and delays.
