United States | July 2026 Visa Bulletin: Most employment-based categories advance, with exceptions for India’s Final Action Dates

The U.S. State Department has released the July 2026 Visa Bulletin. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced filings for employment-based visa preference categories must use the Final Action Dates chart in the July Bulletin, with most employment-based categories showing advancement except for retrogression or “unavailability” in the EB-1, EB-2 and EB-5 Final Action Dates for India, as indicated below.

Regarding the retrogression and unavailability for India’s Final Action Dates, the Bulletin notes that high demand and number use by “aliens” chargeable to India in the EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories have made it necessary to retrogress the Final Action Dates to hold number use within the fiscal year (FY) 2026 annual limit. Further retrogressions, or making the categories “unavailable,” may be necessary in the coming months if India’s prorated limits in the EB-1 or EB-2 categories are reached before the fiscal year ends.

The Bulletin also explains the same measures apply to Final Action Dates for India’s EB-5 category (unreserved) “to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the FY 2026 annual limit.”

The Final Action Dates chart indicates who is eligible for final action (adjudication) on their permanent residence application and when a visa can be issued. Review BAL’s employer’s guide to reading the Visa Bulletin to better understand this monthly report.

Final Action Dates chart category movement:

EB-1 visa

• China EB-1 visa Final Action Dates advance two months, with a cutoff date of June 1, 2023.
• India EB-1 visa Final Action Dates retrogress two months, with a cutoff date of Oct. 15, 2022.
• For all other countries under the EB-1 visa category, including Mexico and the Philippines, Final Action Dates remain current.

EB-2 visa

• China EB-2 visa Final Action Dates remain the same, with a cutoff date of Sept. 1, 2021.
• India EB-2 visa Final Action Dates are currently marked “U” for “unavailable/unauthorized.”*
• For all other countries under the EB-2 visa category, including Mexico and the Philippines, Final Action Dates remain current.

EB-3 visa

• China EB-3 visa Final Action Dates advance more than four months, with a cutoff date of Dec. 22, 2021.
• India EB-3 visa Final Action Dates advance approximately two weeks, with a cutoff date of Jan. 1, 2014.
• For all other countries under the EB-3 visa category and Mexico, the Final Action Dates advance two months, with a cutoff date of Aug. 1, 2024. Final Action Dates for the Philippines remain the same, with a cutoff date of Aug. 1, 2023.

EB-5 visa (unreserved)

• China EB-5 visa Final Action Dates advance more than two months, with a cutoff date of Dec. 1, 2016.
• India EB-5 visa Final Action Dates are currently marked “U” for “unavailable/unauthorized.”*
• For all other countries under the EB-5 unreserved visa category, including Mexico and the Philippines, Final Action Dates remain current.

Final Action Dates chart for employment-based visa applications

Additional Information: In the June 2026 Visa Bulletin, USCIS announced employment-based visa preference categories must use the Final Action Dates chart.

*In addition to the points the Bulletin outlines above regarding retrogression and unavailability, the Bulletin also states, “‘U’ means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below.)”

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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