Green card numbers are counted by country of birth, not passport or residence. Taiwan- and Hong Kong-born applicants use the faster worldwide dates, and mainland-born applicants may be able to use a spouse's birthplace.
Every year the U.S. limits how many employment-based green cards go to people from any one country. Which country you are counted under is called your chargeability, and it is based on where you were born, not your passport or where you live.
Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are counted separately
Applicants born in Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau are not counted under mainland China. None of them has its own column in the Visa Bulletin, so they use the worldwide (all chargeability areas) dates. In October 2026 that is January 1, 2022 for EB-3 Other Workers, against October 1, 2019 for mainland China, a difference of more than two years.
Living in Hong Kong or Taiwan is not enough
A Hong Kong or Taiwan resident who was born in mainland China is counted under mainland China, even with a Hong Kong or Taiwan passport. Check your place of birth on your birth certificate before you plan your timeline.
Using your spouse's country of birth
Under U.S. immigration law, a married couple who immigrate together can usually be counted under whichever spouse's country of birth has the shorter wait. This is called cross-chargeability. A mainland-born applicant married to someone born in Taiwan or Hong Kong may therefore be able to use the worldwide dates, as long as both receive green cards together.
Your children
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 immigrate as derivatives on your case and share your place in the queue.
Your attorney confirms chargeability for every family member at the start of the case. If you are unsure, ask during your free eligibility check.
Official sources
- U.S. Department of State, Visa Bulletin
- 8 U.S.C. 1152, Numerical limitations on individual foreign states
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