AOS Calculator
An essential tool for checking your I-485 Adjustment of Status filing eligibility based on your priority date.
Enter Your Case Details
Your Filing Status
Visual Timeline
Example Filing Scenarios
| Category | Example Priority Date | Visa Bulletin Filing Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| F2A (Spouse of LPR) | 15 June 2023 | 01 September 2023 | Current |
| EB-2 (India) | 01 May 2012 | 01 January 2013 | Current |
| EB-3 (All Others) | 01 July 2022 | 01 February 2023 | Current |
| F4 (Mexico) | 22 April 2001 | 01 August 2001 | Not Current |
What is an AOS Calculator?
An AOS calculator (Adjustment of Status calculator) is a specialized tool designed for U.S. immigration applicants to determine when they are eligible to file their Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. The calculation is based on the applicant’s “priority date,” their visa preference category, and their country of chargeability, which are compared against the dates published in the monthly U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin. This AOS calculator simplifies the complex process of interpreting the bulletin’s “Dates for Filing” chart, giving applicants a clear “yes” or “no” answer about their immediate eligibility and estimating the time remaining if they are not yet current. For anyone navigating the green card timeline, a reliable AOS calculator is an indispensable resource.
This tool is primarily for those already in the United States who plan to adjust their status. A common misconception is that this AOS calculator can predict when a green card will be approved. Instead, its function is more specific: it only calculates eligibility for *filing* the I-485 application, which is a crucial intermediate step in the green card journey.
AOS Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation
Unlike a financial calculator, the AOS calculator doesn’t rely on a complex mathematical formula. Instead, its logic is based on a direct date comparison. The core principle is simple:
Filing Eligibility = (Visa Bulletin “Date for Filing” ≥ Applicant’s Priority Date)
If the “Date for Filing” published in the Visa Bulletin is on or after your priority date, you are eligible to submit your I-485 application. If it is before your priority date, you must wait. Our AOS calculator automates this comparison and calculates the number of days between the two dates to provide a clear timeline.
Variables Table
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority Date (PD) | The date USCIS received your initial immigrant petition. Your “place in line.” | Date (YYYY-MM-DD) | Any past date. |
| Visa Bulletin Date (VBD) | The cut-off date published in the “Dates for Filing” chart for a specific category/country. | Date (YYYY-MM-DD) | A date set by the Dept. of State. |
| Eligibility Status | The result of the comparison (PD vs. VBD). | Boolean (Eligible/Not Eligible) | Current or Not Current. |
| Days Remaining | The time difference if not yet eligible. | Days | 0 to 10,000+ |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Employment-Based Applicant
An engineer from India is an EB-2 applicant. Her employer filed her I-140 petition, which was received on May 15, 2012. This is her priority date.
- Input – Priority Date: 2012-05-15
- Input – Visa Bulletin Date (for EB-2 India): 2013-01-01 (hypothetical)
The AOS calculator compares the two dates. Since Jan 1, 2013, is after May 15, 2012, the calculator shows “Eligible to File.” The engineer can immediately proceed with preparing and submitting her I-485 package. The AOS calculator helped her confirm her status without manually cross-referencing confusing charts.
Example 2: Family-Based Applicant
A U.S. citizen filed an I-130 petition for his married son from the Philippines. The priority date is March 1, 2013. This falls under the F3 category.
- Input – Priority Date: 2013-03-01
- Input – Visa Bulletin Date (for F3 Philippines): 2003-11-22 (hypothetical)
In this case, the AOS calculator determines that the priority date (2013) is much later than the visa bulletin’s cut-off date (2003). The result is “Not Eligible,” with a calculation showing over 3,000 days remaining. This tells the family they are still in a long queue and must continue to monitor the visa bulletin explained for future movement.
How to Use This AOS Calculator
Using our AOS calculator is a straightforward process designed to give you instant clarity. Follow these steps:
- Enter Your Priority Date: In the first field, input the exact priority date found on your I-797 Notice of Action for your I-130 or I-140 petition.
- Enter the Visa Bulletin Date: Find the latest “Dates for Filing” chart from the official Department of State Visa Bulletin. Locate your visa category and country, and enter that date into the second field of the AOS calculator.
- Select Your Preference Category: Choose the correct family-sponsored (F) or employment-based (EB) category from the dropdown menu. This helps the AOS calculator provide accurate context.
- Review Your Results: The calculator will instantly update. The primary result will declare if you are “Eligible to File” or provide an estimated countdown. The intermediate results confirm your entered dates and the time difference.
- Analyze the Timeline: The visual chart shows where your priority date stands in relation to the current filing date, offering a quick graphical summary of your status. Referencing this chart can help you better understand your position in the green card timeline.
Key Factors That Affect AOS Filing Dates
The dates used by any AOS calculator are not static. They are influenced by several dynamic factors that can cause dates to advance, stall, or even move backward (a phenomenon known as retrogression). Understanding these factors is crucial for managing expectations.
- Annual Visa Limits: U.S. law caps the number of immigrant visas issued each fiscal year. The total demand versus this limited supply is the primary driver of backlogs.
- Per-Country Caps: No single country can receive more than 7% of the total available visas in a given year. This causes significant backlogs for high-demand countries like India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines. Our AOS calculator requires this context for an accurate reading.
- Visa Demand and Usage: The number of people applying in a category directly impacts how fast the dates move. If demand surges, dates may slow down. If it drops, they may advance more quickly.
- Date Retrogression: If it becomes apparent that the annual visa limit will be reached, the Department of State may move the cut-off dates backward to slow down new application filings. This is a crucial concept when using an AOS calculator, as a previously “current” date can suddenly become “not current.”
- USCIS Processing Times: While not directly affecting the filing date, the USCIS case processing times for petitions can impact when you receive a priority date in the first place, which is the starting point for any AOS calculator.
- Legislative Changes: Any changes to U.S. immigration law by Congress can alter visa numbers or allocation rules, profoundly impacting wait times and the data used in an AOS calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The “Dates for Filing” chart tells you when you can *submit* your I-485 application. The “Final Action Dates” chart tells you when your application can be *approved* and a green card issued. Our AOS calculator specifically uses the “Dates for Filing.” You must first be eligible to file before you can worry about final action.
This is likely due to visa retrogression, where the cut-off dates move backward due to high demand. You must wait for the date to become current again before filing. This is why checking the AOS calculator monthly is important.
Yes, the “Dates for Filing” chart also applies to applicants processing at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad. It signals when the National Visa Center (NVC) can begin processing your case. For more information, see our NVC case tracker guide.
The AOS calculator’s “Days Remaining” is a mathematical calculation based on the dates you provide. However, it’s an *estimate* because the Visa Bulletin dates can change unpredictably. It shows how far away you are *right now*, not a guaranteed future filing date.
Your priority date is printed on the Form I-797, Notice of Action, that you received from USCIS after your I-130, I-140, or other immigrant petition was approved.
Yes, the logic of the AOS calculator applies universally. However, you must input the correct “Date for Filing” from the Visa Bulletin that corresponds to your specific category and country of chargeability to get a valid result.
You should immediately begin preparing your Form I-485 and all supporting documents. Consult our I-485 filing guide to ensure you have everything you need, as the window to file can sometimes be short.
No. Your priority date must be *on or before* the date listed in the Visa Bulletin. Even a one-day difference means you are not yet eligible to file. You must wait until the date advances past your priority date.