Obtaining a greencard to become a legal permanent resident is a process with a few steps.  If you are trying to come to the US through a Family Petition you may have to worry about a Priority Date and a Date of Visa availability (Immediate relatives  of US Citizens don't have to worry about a priority date).  To figure out if your priority date is current, you first need to know what category you are applying under.  In the family context, there are four categories with sub-categories. Your I-130 approval receipt has your category and your priority date.

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F1. Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens. 

F2A. Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents. 

F2B. Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents. 

F3. Married Sons and Daughters of U.S.

F4. Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens. 

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One you have located your Category and your date, you will need to look at the Visa Bulletin.  The Visa Bulletin is published every month by the Department of State.  If you know your category, your priority date, and what country you are from, you can look at the chart and find out if you can apply for your immigrant visa.

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https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html

 

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