The start of a new fiscal year is a useful prompt for employment-based teams to review the latest Visa Bulletin and their internal case records together. The bulletin is one input to a matter-specific assessment—not a substitute for checking the governing category, chargeability, priority date, and applicable filing instructions.

Rather than relying on a remembered cutoff or a prior month’s worksheet, use a small, documented review sequence. It creates a clear record of what was checked, what still needs confirmation, and who owns the next step.

1. Confirm the official bulletin and the applicable chart

Open the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for the month under review. For an adjustment-of-status filing, also consult USCIS’s monthly filing-chart guidance to determine which chart USCIS says applicants may use. Do not assume the same chart applies every month.

Record the bulletin month, preference category, country of chargeability, and chart checked. If the case involves a different process or a nonimmigrant classification, follow the rules and instructions applicable to that process rather than applying an employment-based adjustment workflow by default.

2. Reconcile the case facts before comparing dates

Verify the priority date and category against the source documents in the file. Check that the country of chargeability and any relevant category details are current and supported. If the file contains conflicting dates, category changes, portability considerations, or other facts that could affect eligibility, flag the discrepancy for attorney review instead of selecting a convenient value.

Decision boundary

A date appearing current on a chart alone does not establish that a particular person may file or that a case is otherwise eligible. Have qualified counsel review the complete facts and current agency instructions.

3. Turn the chart check into a case-readiness review

For matters that may be approaching a filing opportunity, use the chart check to identify document work—not to promise a filing date or outcome. The exact evidence depends on the petition, applicant, employer, and procedural posture; use the matter-specific checklist approved by counsel.

  1. Capture the source: note the bulletin month, agency page, chart name, and date the team checked it.
  2. Recheck matter data: reconcile the priority date, category, chargeability, and case status with source records.
  3. Inventory open evidence: list missing, stale, or inconsistent documents and assign an owner and due date.
  4. Route exceptions: send any legal or factual uncertainty to the responsible attorney before changing a case status or advising a client.
  5. Set a review trigger: record the next bulletin review and any earlier event that should prompt a recheck.

4. Make client updates precise and appropriately qualified

When communicating, explain what was checked and what remains outstanding. Avoid treating a chart movement as a guarantee. A practical update might say: “We reviewed the latest bulletin and are confirming how it applies to your case. We’ll follow up after we complete the case-specific review and identify any remaining documents.” Tailor wording to the facts and have counsel review legal advice.

Internally, keep a short audit trail: review date, source month, chart used, verified case facts, outstanding items, assigned owner, and next follow-up. This helps the next team member understand the basis and limits of the status update.

A monthly checklist for the team

  • Current Department of State bulletin reviewed.
  • USCIS chart selection checked for the relevant month when applicable.
  • Priority date, category, chargeability, and underlying evidence reconciled.
  • Open documents and inconsistencies assigned for follow-up.
  • Case-specific questions routed to counsel before client-facing conclusions.
  • Review date and next trigger recorded in the case system.

Sources and scope

This operational overview points readers to official agency pages and does not reproduce cutoff dates. Agency guidance can change; check the current bulletin and USCIS chart instructions at the time of review. This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not establish eligibility or guarantee timing.

For general information about InceptionAI’s immigration case-management platform, visit inceptionai.co.