The July 2026 Visa Bulletin is here, and it brings some of the most significant news we have seen in the employment-based categories in recent months. For Indian nationals in the EB-2 category, this bulletin is not good news. For others, there is a mix of advancement and retrogression depending on your category and country of birth.

At Garvish Immigration Law Group, we break it down every month so you know exactly where you stand and what to do next.

How to Read the Visa Bulletin

The Visa Bulletin has two charts that matter:

  • Final Action Dates (Chart A): the date your green card can actually be approved. Your priority date must be earlier than the listed date for your case to move forward.
  • Dates for Filing (Chart B): the date you are allowed to file for Adjustment of Status, even if a green card number is not yet available.

For July 2026, USCIS has announced that it will continue to accept employment-based adjustment of status filings based on the Final Action Dates chart. The Dates for Filing chart does not apply to employment-based categories this month.

For family-sponsored categories, you will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart. 

The Biggest News This Month: EB-2 India Is Now Unavailable

Effective July 2026, the EB-2 category for India has become unavailable for the remainder of the fiscal year (until October).  That means no new EB-2 adjustment of status applications from Indian nationals will be processed by USCIS until the new fiscal year begins in October 2026.

This follows the sharp retrogression we saw in June and reflects the continuing pressure on India-chargeability visa numbers as the fiscal year approaches its end on September 30, 2026.

Additionally, the EB-5 Unreserved category for India has also become unavailable for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Final Action Dates

Employment-Based Green Cards

  • EB-1 (Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professors/Researchers, Multinational Managers): 
    • China: Advances 2 month to June 1, 2023 
    • India: Retrogresses 2 months to October 15, 2022 
    • All other countries: Remain current. 
  • EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals, National Interest Waivers): 
    • India: Unavailable for the remainder of the fiscal year 
    • China: No Movement 
    • All other countries: Remain current. 
  • EB-3 (Skilled Workers and Professionals): 
    • China: Advances over 4 months and a half to Dec 22, 2021
    • India: Advances 2 weeks to Jan 1, 2014 
    • Philippines: No Movement
    • All other countries: Advance 1 month to Aug 1, 2024 
  • EB-3 (Other Workers): 
    • China: No Movement
    • India: Advances 2 weeks to Jan 1, 2014
    • Philippines: Advances 1 month to Dec 1, 2021
    • All other countries: Advance 1 month to March 1, 2022 
  • EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants): 
    • All countries: Advance 2 months to Sept 15, 2022 
  • EB-4 (Certain Religious Workers): 
    • All countries: Advance 2 months to Sept 15, 2022
      Note: This program has been extended through September 30, 2026. If Congress does not renew it before that date, it will become unavailable. 
  • EB-5 (Investors, Set-Aside Categories for Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure): 
    • All countries including India and China: Remain current. 
  • EB-5 (Investors, Unreserved Categories): 
    • India: Unavailable for the remainder of the fiscal year 
    • China: Advances over 2 months to Dec 1, 2016
    • All other countries: Remain current.

Family-Sponsored Green Cards:

  • F-1 (Unmarried adult children of U.S. Citizens): 
    • Mexico & Philippines: No Movement
    • All Others (including China and India): Advance 5 months to Feb 1, 2018 
  • F-2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): 
    • All countries: No Movement 
  • F-2B (Unmarried adult sons and daughters of Permanent Residents): 
    • Philippines: Advances over a month to May 15, 2013
    • Mexico: No Movement 
    • All Others (including China and India): Advance 2 months to Nov 22, 2017 
  • F-3 (Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens): 
    • Philippines: Advances 3 months to Feb 22, 2006
    • Mexico: Advances 1 month to June 1, 2001 
    • All Others (including China and India): Advance 2 months to April 15, 2012 
  • F-4 (Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens): 
    • Philippines: Advances 2 weeks to Aug 1, 2007
    • India and Mexico: No Movement
    • All Others (including China): Advances almost 2 months to Jan 1, 2009

Dates for Filing

Employment-Based Green Cards

Per USCIS guidance for July 2026, all employment-based categories must use the Final Action Dates chart. The Dates for Filing chart does not apply to employment-based filings this month.

Family-Sponsored Green Cards:

  • F-1 (Unmarried adult children of U.S. Citizens): 
    • Mexico & Philippines: No Movement
    • All Others (including China and India): Advance 3 months to Jan 1, 2019 
  • F-2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): 
    • All countries: Current 
  • F-2B (Unmarried adult sons and daughters of Permanent Residents): 
    • Mexico & Philippines: No Movement
    • All Others (including China and India): Advance 2 and a half months to June 8, 2018 
  • F-3 (Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens): 
    • All Countries: No Movement 
  • F-4 (Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens): 
    • India, Mexico, and Philippines: No Movement 
    • All Others (including China): Advance 2 and a half months to March 1, 2010

Our Guidance to You

The unavailability of EB-2 India is the most significant development this month and one that requires immediate attention for affected applicants. If you are an Indian national in the EB-2 category, your options for filing or advancing your case are limited until October 2026. Now is the time to talk to your attorney about what strategies may still be available to you.

It is also worth noting that EB-5 set-aside categories remain current for all countries, including India and China, making them one of the few immediately available pathways right now.

For family-based applicants, check your priority date and reach out if you think your date may be current. As always, the Visa Bulletin is a marathon, not a sprint, and we are here to help you stay on track every step of the way.

Stay Connected

If you have questions about how the July 2026 Visa Bulletin affects your case or want to plan your next move, Garvish Immigration Law Group is here to help. We monitor the Visa Bulletin every month and proactively advise our clients. Reach out to us today.