The Department of State has released the final August 2026 Visa Bulletin. The largest advances appear in several family-sponsored categories, particularly F2A, F1 and F4 for most countries.
Employment-based movement is more limited. EB-2 India and EB-5 Unreserved India remain unavailable, EB-1 India remains at October 15, 2022, and the Department of State warns that EB-1 India could become unavailable before the end of FY2026 if the annual limit is reached.
The August 2026 Visa Bulletin establishes which family-sponsored and employment-based green card applicants may receive final approval, begin immigrant visa document processing, or file Form I-485 when permitted by USCIS.
The final bulletin differs substantially from several predictions published before its release. EB-1 India did not recover from its July retrogression, EB-2 China did not advance, and EB-3 India remained unchanged. Family-sponsored applicants received considerably more favorable movement, including a major advance in F2A Final Action Dates.
The official dates come from the Department of State August 2026 Visa Bulletin. Applicants filing Form I-485 inside the United States must also check the monthly chart selected by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Official Department of State bulletin: August 2026
USCIS filing-chart review: July 2026
Editorial update: July 28, 2026
- August 2026 Visa Bulletin Highlights
- Which USCIS Filing Chart Applies in August 2026?
- Employment-Based Final Action Dates for August 2026
- Employment-Based Changes From July to August 2026
- EB-1 India Could Become Unavailable
- EB-2 India Remains Unavailable
- EB-2 May Face Broader Retrogression
- EB-3 Movement Is Limited but Positive
- EB-5 India Remains Unavailable
- Employment-Based Dates for Filing
- Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates for August 2026
- F2A Makes the Largest August Advance
- Other Family-Sponsored Advances
- Family-Sponsored Dates for Filing
- How to Compare a Priority Date With the Bulletin
- Final Action Dates vs. Dates for Filing
- Predictions Compared With the Final August Bulletin
- DV-2026 Cutoff Numbers for August
- What Applicants Should Do During August
- What to Expect in September and October 2026
- Related Green Card Resources
August 2026 Visa Bulletin Highlights
- EB-2 India remains unavailable. No immigrant visa number can be issued in that category during August.
- EB-5 Unreserved India also remains unavailable. The reserved rural, high-unemployment and infrastructure categories remain current.
- EB-1 India stays at October 15, 2022. The Department of State warns that it may become unavailable if the annual limit is reached.
- EB-1 China advances one month to July 1, 2023.
- EB-3 advances modestly for most countries and China but remains unchanged for India and the Philippines.
- F2A makes a major Final Action Date advance for spouses and minor children of permanent residents.
- Family-sponsored applicants may use Dates for Filing for August adjustment-of-status filings.
- Employment-based applicants must use Final Action Dates to determine whether they may file Form I-485 during August.
Which USCIS Filing Chart Applies in August 2026?
The Department of State publishes two separate charts: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing. USCIS then determines which chart adjustment-of-status applicants may use each month.
| Green Card Category | USCIS Chart for August 2026 | Practical Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Family-sponsored preferences | Dates for Filing | Eligible applicants may use the more favorable filing-date chart to determine whether Form I-485 can be submitted. |
| Employment-based preferences | Final Action Dates | Applicants cannot use the employment-based Dates for Filing chart to submit Form I-485 during August. |
This distinction is especially important for Indian employment-based applicants. The employment Dates for Filing chart lists dates for EB-2 India, EB-3 India and EB-5 India, but USCIS has not authorized employment-based applicants to use that chart for August I-485 filings.
Consular-processing applicants should continue following instructions from the National Visa Center. The Dates for Filing chart may allow document collection to begin, but an immigrant visa cannot be issued until the priority date is earlier than the applicable Final Action Date and a visa number is available.
Employment-Based Final Action Dates for August 2026
The Final Action Dates chart controls when an employment-based adjustment application may be filed with USCIS during August 2026. It also determines when USCIS or a consular post may grant final permanent residence, subject to all other eligibility requirements.
| Category | All Other Countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 01 JUL 2023 | 15 OCT 2022 | C | C |
| EB-2 | C | 01 SEP 2021 | U | C | C |
| EB-3 Skilled/Professional | 01 SEP 2024 | 01 JAN 2022 | 01 JAN 2014 | 01 SEP 2024 | 01 AUG 2023 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | 01 APR 2022 | 01 MAY 2019 | 01 JAN 2014 | 01 APR 2022 | 01 DEC 2021 |
| EB-4 | 15 OCT 2022 | 15 OCT 2022 | 15 OCT 2022 | 15 OCT 2022 | 15 OCT 2022 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C | 01 DEC 2016 | U | C | C |
| EB-5 Set-Asides | C | C | C | C | C |
C means current, allowing qualified applicants with any priority date to proceed. U means unavailable, so no immigrant visa number may be issued in that category during the month.
Employment-Based Changes From July to August 2026
| Category | August Movement |
|---|---|
| EB-1 China | Advanced one month, from June 1, 2023 to July 1, 2023. |
| EB-1 India | No movement; remained at October 15, 2022. |
| EB-2 | No Final Action Date movement for any chargeability area. India remains unavailable. |
| EB-3 All Other Countries and Mexico | Advanced one month to September 1, 2024. |
| EB-3 China | Advanced from December 22, 2021 to January 1, 2022. |
| EB-3 India and Philippines | No movement. |
| EB-4 | Advanced one month to October 15, 2022 for all countries. |
| EB-5 | No Final Action Date movement. India remains unavailable in the unreserved category. |
EB-1 India Could Become Unavailable
EB-1 India remains at October 15, 2022 after the retrogression introduced in July. The prediction that the category might recover in August did not materialize.
The Department of State issued a more serious warning in the final August bulletin.
High demand and visa-number use by applicants chargeable to India may force the government to make EB-1 India unavailable before September 30 if India reaches its prorated annual limit.
If the category becomes unavailable during August, the Department of State may stop allocating additional EB-1 visa numbers even before the September bulletin takes effect. A pending I-485 application would generally remain pending, but USCIS could not approve it until a visa number becomes available again.
Applicants whose priority dates are earlier than October 15, 2022 should keep medical examination records, identity documents and responses to USCIS requests current. Being current under the bulletin does not guarantee approval before the annual limit is reached.
EB-2 India Remains Unavailable
EB-2 India remains marked Unavailable for August 2026. The Department of State previously announced that India had reached its prorated EB-2 limit for FY2026, making the category unavailable for the remainder of the fiscal year.
No EB-2 India immigrant visa may be issued and no pending I-485 application may receive final approval while the category is unavailable. The application itself does not normally disappear or require refiling solely because the category retrogresses or becomes unavailable.
The employment-based Dates for Filing table continues to show January 15, 2015 for EB-2 India. However, USCIS requires employment-based applicants to use Final Action Dates during August. An Indian EB-2 applicant cannot use the January 2015 filing date to submit a new I-485 during this month.
The Department of State previously indicated that EB-2 India will likely receive a cutoff date again when FY2027 visa numbers become available in October. The exact date cannot be guaranteed because it will depend on the FY2027 annual limit, pending inventory and demand reported by USCIS and consular posts.
EB-2 May Face Broader Retrogression
The August bulletin includes a broader warning for the EB-2 category. The Department of State states that increased demand and number use may require it to retrogress a Final Action Date or make a category unavailable during the remaining months of FY2026.
This warning matters to EB-2 applicants from China and potentially to applicants in chargeability areas that are currently listed as current. A category shown as current at the beginning of August can later face restrictions if the annual numerical limit is reached.
Applicants should not assume that a current designation will necessarily remain available through September 30. USCIS must receive a properly filed application while the authorized chart and applicable date permit filing.
EB-3 Movement Is Limited but Positive
EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionals advanced from August 1, 2024 to September 1, 2024 for most countries and Mexico. China advanced by ten days, moving from December 22, 2021 to January 1, 2022.
EB-3 India remained at January 1, 2014, contrary to predictions of a small advance. The Philippines also remained unchanged at August 1, 2023.
The Other Workers subcategory advanced one month for most countries, Mexico and China. India and the Philippines remained unchanged.
EB-5 India Remains Unavailable
India’s EB-5 Unreserved category remains unavailable after reaching its prorated FY2026 limit. China remains at December 1, 2016, while the unreserved category remains current for all other listed chargeability areas.
The three EB-5 reserved categories remain current for every country:
- Rural-area investments.
- High-unemployment-area investments.
- Infrastructure-project investments.
An investor should not assume that availability in a reserved category permits moving an existing unreserved petition into that category. The qualifying investment, petition structure and project classification must independently satisfy the statutory requirements for the selected set-aside.
Employment-Based Dates for Filing
The following dates appear in the Department of State’s August bulletin. They may be used for National Visa Center document processing, but USCIS has not authorized employment-based adjustment applicants to use this chart for August Form I-485 filings.
| Category | All Other Countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 01 DEC 2023 | 01 DEC 2023 | C | C |
| EB-2 | C | 01 JAN 2022 | 15 JAN 2015 | C | C |
| EB-3 Skilled/Professional | C | 08 JAN 2022 | 15 JAN 2015 | C | 01 JAN 2024 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | 01 AUG 2022 | 01 OCT 2019 | 15 JAN 2015 | 01 AUG 2022 | 01 AUG 2022 |
| EB-4 | 01 JAN 2023 | 01 JAN 2023 | 01 JAN 2023 | 01 JAN 2023 | 01 JAN 2023 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C | 01 MAR 2017 | 01 MAY 2024 | C | C |
| EB-5 Set-Asides | C | C | C | C | C |
Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates for August 2026
Family-sponsored categories received the largest advances in the August bulletin. Final Action Dates determine when a family preference immigrant visa may be issued or a pending adjustment application may receive final approval.
| Category | All Other Countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 15 DEC 2018 | 15 DEC 2018 | 15 DEC 2018 | 01 DEC 2007 | 01 MAY 2013 |
| F2A | 22 JUL 2026 | 22 JUL 2026 | 22 JUL 2026 | 22 JUL 2025 | 22 JUL 2026 |
| F2B | 01 JAN 2018 | 01 JAN 2018 | 01 JAN 2018 | 15 FEB 2009 | 01 JUN 2013 |
| F3 | 15 MAY 2012 | 15 MAY 2012 | 15 MAY 2012 | 01 JUL 2001 | 22 FEB 2006 |
| F4 | 01 SEP 2009 | 01 SEP 2009 | 01 NOV 2006 | 08 APR 2001 | 01 AUG 2007 |
F2A Makes the Largest August Advance
The F2A category covers spouses and unmarried children under age 21 of lawful permanent residents. Its Final Action Date moved from January 1, 2025 to July 22, 2026 for most countries, China, India and the Philippines.
Mexico advanced from January 1, 2024 to July 22, 2025. The different Mexican cutoff reflects the application of the per-country numerical rules.
F2A is not technically listed as current under the Final Action Dates chart. However, the July 22, 2026 cutoff makes the category nearly current for most chargeability areas during August.
The Dates for Filing chart lists F2A as current for every country. Because USCIS permits family-sponsored applicants to use Dates for Filing in August, otherwise eligible F2A applicants inside the United States may be able to file Form I-485 regardless of priority date. Final approval still requires availability under the Final Action Dates chart.
Other Family-Sponsored Advances
- F1 for most countries, China and India: advanced from February 1, 2018 to December 15, 2018.
- F2B for most countries, China and India: advanced from November 22, 2017 to January 1, 2018.
- F3 for most countries, China and India: advanced one month to May 15, 2012.
- F4 for most countries and China: advanced eight months to September 1, 2009.
- F1 Mexico: advanced from November 8, 2007 to December 1, 2007.
- F2B Philippines: advanced from May 15, 2013 to June 1, 2013.
- F3 Mexico: advanced one month to July 1, 2001.
Several country-specific categories did not move. Applicants should compare their priority date only with the column corresponding to their country of chargeability, which is generally based on country of birth rather than citizenship or current residence.
Family-Sponsored Dates for Filing
USCIS allows family-sponsored applicants to use this chart for August 2026 adjustment-of-status filings.
| Category | All Other Countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 15 JUN 2019 | 15 JUN 2019 | 15 JUN 2019 | 01 DEC 2008 | 22 APR 2015 |
| F2A | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 01 JAN 2019 | 01 JAN 2019 | 01 JAN 2019 | 15 MAY 2010 | 01 OCT 2013 |
| F3 | 01 MAR 2013 | 01 MAR 2013 | 01 MAR 2013 | 15 JUL 2001 | 08 AUG 2006 |
| F4 | 22 JUN 2010 | 22 JUN 2010 | 15 DEC 2006 | 30 APR 2001 | 22 MAR 2008 |
How to Compare a Priority Date With the Bulletin
An applicant is generally eligible under a chart when the priority date is earlier than the date listed for the correct category and country of chargeability.
For example, an EB-3 applicant chargeable to India with a priority date of December 15, 2013 is earlier than the August Final Action Date of January 1, 2014. The priority date is therefore current under the chart, although USCIS must still determine that a visa number remains available and that the applicant satisfies all other requirements.
An EB-3 India applicant with a priority date of January 1, 2014 is not earlier than the listed date. A priority date that exactly matches the cutoff is not current because the bulletin requires the applicant’s date to be earlier.
Applicants should verify:
- The correct preference category.
- The correct country-of-chargeability column.
- The priority date shown on the petition approval or receipt notice.
- Whether USCIS selected Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing.
- Whether the priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff.
- Whether all other adjustment-of-status or consular-processing requirements are satisfied.
Final Action Dates vs. Dates for Filing
Final Action Dates
Final Action Dates control when an immigrant visa may be issued or when USCIS may approve a pending Form I-485. USCIS also uses this chart for filing when it determines that the Dates for Filing chart cannot be used.
Dates for Filing
Dates for Filing allow certain applicants to begin document processing before a visa number is available for final approval. The National Visa Center may request documents from consular applicants based on this chart.
Adjustment applicants may use Dates for Filing only when USCIS expressly authorizes that chart for the relevant month and preference group. USCIS selected Dates for Filing for family-sponsored cases in August but not for employment-based cases.
Predictions Compared With the Final August Bulletin
The final bulletin demonstrates why applicants should separate forecasts from official cutoff dates.
| Category | Earlier Prediction | Official August Result |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 India | Possible advance to November 2022. | Remained at October 15, 2022. |
| EB-2 China | Possible September 2021 advance. | Remained at September 1, 2021. |
| EB-2 India | Expected to remain unavailable. | Remained unavailable. |
| EB-3 India | Possible small January 2014 advance. | Remained at January 1, 2014. |
| Family-sponsored categories | Conservative movement expected. | Several categories advanced substantially, especially F2A, F1 and F4. |
DV-2026 Cutoff Numbers for August
The August bulletin also establishes regional rank-number cutoffs for Diversity Visa 2026 selectees.
| DV Region | August 2026 Cutoff | Country Exception |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 60,000 | Algeria 51,250; Egypt 36,000 |
| Asia | 40,000 | Nepal 13,500 |
| Europe | 29,000 | None listed |
| North America | Current | Bahamas |
| Oceania | 2,050 | None listed |
| South America and Caribbean | 4,000 | None listed |
A DV rank number must be below the applicable regional or country cutoff. Becoming current does not guarantee that an interview will be scheduled or that a visa will remain available.
All DV-2026 eligibility ends on September 30, 2026. A DV-2026 visa cannot be issued after that date, even when the applicant was selected, submitted Form DS-260 or became current under an earlier bulletin.
What Applicants Should Do During August
- Confirm the priority date. Check the I-130, I-140 or other petition receipt or approval notice.
- Use the correct country column. Chargeability usually depends on country of birth rather than nationality.
- Use the chart selected by USCIS. Family-sponsored and employment-based applicants use different charts in August.
- Prepare a complete filing package. An incomplete or improperly signed I-485 may be rejected and lose the filing date.
- Use the current form editions and fees. USCIS can reject an outdated form or incorrect payment.
- Respond to USCIS notices. Retrogression does not eliminate the obligation to attend interviews or answer Requests for Evidence.
- Maintain an independent lawful status when required. Eligibility to file I-485 does not resolve every nonimmigrant-status issue.
- Avoid irreversible travel or employment decisions. Visa availability can change before final approval.
Applicants preparing adjustment of status can review the complete Form I-485 adjustment-of-status guide. Applicants affected by the EB-2 India annual limit can also review the detailed explanation of why EB-2 India approvals are paused.
What to Expect in September and October 2026
September is the final month of FY2026. Annual and per-country limits are under the greatest pressure near the end of the fiscal year, making additional retrogression or unavailability possible.
The August bulletin specifically warns that EB-1 India may become unavailable. It also warns that demand in EB-2 could require retrogression or unavailability in the remaining months of FY2026.
October 1, 2026 begins FY2027 and provides a new annual allocation of preference visa numbers. Categories that became unavailable because their FY2026 limit was reached may receive new Final Action Dates in the October bulletin.
The fiscal-year reset does not guarantee dramatic forward movement. The Department of State must account for pending I-485 inventory, documentarily complete consular cases, derivative beneficiaries, per-country limits and projected demand before setting October dates.
Applicants should monitor the September and October bulletins rather than assuming that a date will return to its earlier position. A category may resume at the same cutoff, move forward, retrogress, or remain unavailable depending on visa-number demand.
Related Green Card Resources
- July 2026 Visa Bulletin: Cutoff Dates and Retrogression
- EB-2 India Annual Limit: Why Approvals Are Paused
- Adjustment of Status: Complete Form I-485 Guide
- Green Card 2026: Categories, Eligibility and Process
- How to Read the Visa Bulletin and Priority Dates
Last reviewed July 28, 2026. Cutoff dates are based on the official Department of State August 2026 Visa Bulletin. USCIS filing-chart selections and visa availability may change. Applicants should verify the current government instructions before filing Form I-485 or making time-sensitive immigration decisions.
