Visa Bulletin
What is the chargeability country on the Visa Bulletin?
Updated · Not legal advice
Chargeability is the country whose per-country limit your green card counts against. It is normally your country of birth, not your citizenship or where you live, which is why someone born in India uses the India column even if they are a citizen of another country.
| Column | Who uses it |
|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | Anyone born in a country without its own column (often called "rest of world") |
| China-mainland born | People born in mainland China |
| India | People born in India |
| Mexico | People born in Mexico |
| Philippines | People born in the Philippines |
Common exceptions (cross-chargeability)
- A spouse may be charged to the other spouse's country of birth if they immigrate together and it is more favorable.
- A child may in some cases be charged to a parent's country of birth.
- These rules are technical. Confirm with the State Department's guidance or an immigration attorney before relying on them.
Quick answers
- I was born in India but I am a Canadian citizen. Which column do I use?
- Normally India, because chargeability follows country of birth. Cross-chargeability through a spouse may change that.
- Which column do people born in Hong Kong or Taiwan use?
- The China column is for mainland-China-born applicants. Others generally use the All Chargeability Areas column; confirm in the bulletin's notes.
- Why are only five columns listed?
- Countries get their own column when demand from that country reaches the per-country limit. The list can change.
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Checked: November 12, 2026