By: Kirti Kalra | June 16, 2026
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the July 2026 Visa Bulletin, which outlines the availability of immigrant visas for family-sponsored and employment-based categories according to applicants’ priority date.
For employment-based green card cases, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will use the Final Action Dates chart for July 2026 adjustment of status filings, meaning applicants generally may file Form I-485 only if their priority date is earlier than the applicable Final Action Date.
As mentioned in recent Visa Bulletins, Final Actions Dates for the EB-1 India category have been retrogressed due to increased demand and immigrant visa usage. DOS has also advised that further retrogression or unavailability may occur through the remainder of FY 2026, ending September 30, 2026. DOS also notes that demand and increased immigrant visa usage of EB-2 China and EB-3 Philippines categories may also result in retrogression and unavailability in the coming months. Further categories may follow.
Changes in July 2026 Visa Bulletin
The employment-based “Final Action” chart will update in the following categories:
- India retrogresses by two months to October 15, 2022
- China advances to June 1, 2023
- India remains unavailable
- India advances to January 1, 2014
- China advances to December 22, 2021
- Philippines remain at August 1, 2023
- All other countries will advance to August 1, 2024
- India (Unreserved) remains unavailable
- China (Unreserved) advances to December 1, 2016
The Visa Bulletin has two different charts per visa preference category
Final Action Dates (Chart A)
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- This determines when a visa number is available for issuance based on an applicant’s priority date. If a category shows a specific date (e.g., "01JAN25"), only applicants with a priority date before that date are eligible; if it shows "C" (Current): Visas are available to all applicants regardless of priority date; and if it shows "U" (Unavailable): Visas are unavailable for issuance.
Dates for Filing (Chart B)
- For consular processing (outside the U.S.): The Dates for Filing chart lists the earliest priority dates when the National Visa Center (NVC) will notify applicants to assemble and submit civil documents and fees.
- For Adjustment of Status (filing Form I-485 in the U.S.): Each month, USCIS decides which chart an applicant may use to file the I-485, Adjustment of Status (AOS) application. If USCIS determines that there are enough immigrant visas available to accommodate additional filings, it then lists the Dates for Filing chart to be used for AOS filings that month. Otherwise, the applicant must wait until their priority date becomes current under Final Action Dates to file the I-485, AOS application.
Final Action Date Chart (Chart A) Update Highlights:
- EB-1:
- China: June 1, 2023
- India: October 15, 2022
- All other countries not listed above: Current.
- EB-2:
- China: September 1, 2021
- India: Unavailable
- All other countries not listed above: Current
- EB-3 (Professionals/Skilled):
- China: December 22, 2021
- India: January 1, 2014
- Philippines: August 1, 2023
- All other countries not listed above: August 1, 2024
- EB-3 Other Workers:
- China: April 1, 2019
- India: January 1, 2014
- Philippines: December 1, 2021
- All other countries not listed above: March 1, 2022
- EB-4:
- All countries: September 15, 2022
- EB-5 (Unreserved):
- China: December 1, 2016
- India: Unavailable
- All other countries not listed above: Current.
- Set-Aside (Rural/High Unemployment/Infrastructure): Current
For any questions or assistance please contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration professional.
