The July 2026 U.S. Visa Bulletin shows tighter employment-based immigrant visa availability as Fiscal Year 2026 enters its final quarter. USCIS has confirmed that employment-based applicants must continue using the Final Action Dates chart for July.
The most significant change is that EB-2 India becomes unavailable, meaning applicants in that category cannot receive final adjudication of adjustment of status applications or immigrant visa issuance until visa numbers become available again.
India EB-1 also retrogresses further, while some other employment-based categories move forward modestly.
Key employment-based movements
- EB-1 India: retrogresses to 15 Oct 2022, from 15 Dec 2022.
- EB-1 China: advances to 1 Jun 2023, from 1 Apr 2023.
- EB-2 India: becomes Unavailable.
- EB-2 China: remains at 1 Sep 2021.
- EB-3 India: advances to 1 Jan 2014, from 15 Dec 2013.
- EB-3 China: advances to 22 Dec 2021, from 1 Aug 2021.
- EB-3 Rest of World: advances to 1 Aug 2024, from 1 Jun 2024.
July 2026 Final Action Dates for employment-based cases
| Category | All chargeability areas except listed | China mainland-born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | 1 Jun 2023 | 15 Oct 2022 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | Current | 1 Sep 2021 | Unavailable | Current | Current |
| EB-3 | 1 Aug 2024 | 22 Dec 2021 | 1 Jan 2014 | 1 Aug 2024 | 1 Aug 2023 |
Why EB-2 India becoming unavailable matters
The move to unavailable status reflects visa number pressure as the Department of State manages employment-based immigrant visa allocations near the end of FY2026.
The article notes that this follows earlier Department of State guidance indicating that demand and visa number use in the EB-2 India category had reached annual allocation limits. It also follows significant retrogression in the June Visa Bulletin for India EB-1 and EB-2.
For affected EB-2 India applicants, petition eligibility alone is not enough to move a permanent residence case to completion. Final approval depends on immigrant visa number availability.
Because USCIS is requiring use of the Final Action Dates chart, filing flexibility is also limited. This can delay access to benefits such as Employment Authorization Documents and Advance Parole for some employees who are not yet eligible to file.
Implications for employers and applicants
The July bulletin signals that permanent residence timelines remain vulnerable to visa number limits, demand fluctuations, and retrogression.
Practical implications include:
- Employers should identify affected employees and confirm which cases remain eligible under current Final Action Dates.
- PERM and I-140 preparation may still be worth advancing even when final visa availability is constrained.
- Nonimmigrant status extensions and work authorization continuity remain important for employees facing longer green card timelines.
- EB-1 or other immigrant classifications may need reassessment where appropriate, although India EB-1 has also retrogressed.
- Workforce planning based on expected green card progress may need review as visa availability can change quickly.
The article frames the July 2026 bulletin as a reminder that employment-based green card timing is driven not only by case preparation, but also by annual numerical limits and government demand management.
Further details are available through the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin.
Source article: newlandchase.com
