What day of the month is the Visa Bulletin released?

There is no fixed day. It usually appears around the middle of the month before it takes effect, sometimes later.

Is the December bulletin published in December?

No. A bulletin is named for the month it applies to and is normally published during the month before.

When do the new dates take effect?

On the first day of the month the bulletin is named for.

Does USCIS publish its chart choice at the same time?

No, USCIS posts it separately on its filing charts page, usually shortly after the bulletin.

Reading the bulletin

When does the next Visa Bulletin come out?

Updated November 12, 2026 · Not legal advice

The State Department publishes each month's Visa Bulletin during the month before, usually around the middle of it, but it does not commit to a fixed release day. The bulletin named for a month (for example, the December bulletin) takes effect on the first day of that month.

How a bulletin's name relates to when you see it and when it applies
Bulletin	Typically published	Dates apply from
October bulletin (first of the fiscal year)	During September	October 1
Any month M	During the month before M	The 1st of month M
USCIS chart choice for month M	USCIS posts it after the bulletin, usually within days	The 1st of month M

Why there is no fixed date

The bulletin is set from demand data reported by consulates and USCIS. The State Department publishes when the numbers are finished, so the release can move by days or more from month to month, and it is sometimes late. Any site that promises a specific day is guessing.

There is also an "upcoming" bulletin slot on the official page: once next month's bulletin is published, it sits there until the 1st, then becomes the current one.

The two-step release people miss

The State Department publishes the bulletin with both charts (Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing).
USCIS separately posts which of the two charts adjustment-of-status applicants must use that month. Until it does, you know the dates but not which chart decides your I-485 filing.
On the 1st of the month, the new dates take effect for visa issuance and approvals.

How to not miss it

Bookmark the official Visa Bulletin page and look at the "Upcoming Visa Bulletin" block.
Bookmark the USCIS filing charts page for the chart choice.
Or let us check both for you and email you only when your category and country change.

Quick answers

What day of the month is the Visa Bulletin released?: There is no fixed day. It usually appears around the middle of the month before it takes effect, sometimes later.
Is the December bulletin published in December?: No. A bulletin is named for the month it applies to and is normally published during the month before.
When do the new dates take effect?: On the first day of the month the bulletin is named for.
Does USCIS publish its chart choice at the same time?: No, USCIS posts it separately on its filing charts page, usually shortly after the bulletin.

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Sources

Checked: November 12, 2026