August 2026 Visa Bulletin Released: Key Changes for Employment-Based Visa Updates Employers and Applicants Need to Know

By: Sreelatha Babu | July 20, 2026

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the August 2026 Visa Bulletin, outlining the availability of immigrant visas for family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories based on applicants' priority dates. For Adjustment of Status filings in August 2026, USCIS has confirmed that applicants in all employment-based preference categories must use the Final Action Dates chart, while applicants in all family-sponsored preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility.

As the federal government approaches the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, DOS continues to caution that demand for immigrant visas remains high. The August Visa Bulletin notes that EB-1 India may become unavailable before the end of the fiscal year if the annual visa limit is reached, and EB-2 may require retrogression or become unavailable in the coming months to remain within annual numerical limits.

Changes in the August 2026 Visa Bulletin

The employment-based Final Action Dates chart reflects the following changes:

• EB-1
  • China advances from June 1, 2023 to July 1, 2023
  • India remains at October 15, 2022
  • All other countries remain Current
• EB-2
  • India remains Unavailable
  • China remains at September 1, 2021
  • All other countries remain Current
• EB-3 (Professionals/Skilled)
  • China advances from December 22, 2021 to January 1, 2022
  • India remains at January 1, 2014
  • Philippines remains at August 1, 2023
  • All other countries advance from August 1, 2024 to September 1, 2024
• EB-3 Other Workers
  • China advances from April 1, 2019 to May 1, 2019
  • India remains at January 1, 2014
  • Philippines remains at December 1, 2021
  • All chargeability areas except those listed advance from March 1, 2022 to April 1, 2022
• EB-4
  • All countries advance from September 15, 2022 to October 15, 2022
• EB-5 (Unreserved)
  • China remains at December 1, 2016
  • India remains Unavailable
  • All other countries remain Current
  • EB-5 Set-Aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) remain Current.

If you have questions about the August 2026 Visa Bulletin or need assistance determining your eligibility to file an adjustment of status application, please contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration professional.