A priority date is a date that determines an individuals place in line for a green card while their case is being processed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) . Priority dates are necessary because there are annual caps on certain categories of green card applicants, and the U.S. government is only allowed to issue a certain number of green cards in those categories every year. Priority dates can be found on either the I-130 or I-140 receipt notice, depending on whether the petition is family-based or employment-based. The priority date for a family-sponsored immigrant is the date on which the petition (Form I-130) is received by USCIS, while for an employment-based immigrant, the priority date is the date on which either the Labor Certification has been received by the Department of Labor (for petitions where a Labor Certification is required) or on the date that USCIS receives the petition (Form I-140), for petitions where no Labor Certification is required. When the priority date becomes available, or is "current," immigrants may be able to apply for adjustment of status (or apply for an immigrant visa with DOS if they are outside the U.S.) and obtain lawful permanent resident status, if otherwise eligible.