The U.S. Department of State released the August 2026 Visa Bulletin in late July 2026, setting the priority date cutoffs for the coming month. This bulletin governs who can file for adjustment of status (green card) inside the United States or schedule an immigrant visa interview abroad at a U.S. consulate during August 2026.
For employment-based preference categories, USCIS has confirmed it will honor the Final Action Dates chart — not the Dates for Filing chart — making the Final Action Dates the operative cutoffs for AOS filing eligibility. Family-sponsored applicants got the biggest news this month: F2A advanced by roughly 19 months, the largest single jump of the year, while EB categories saw only modest movement and EB-2 India remains stuck at zero.
Employment-Based Priority Date Cutoffs — August 2026
Employment-based categories saw limited movement in August. The most notable developments are EB-1 China advancing one month, continued EB-2 India unavailability through the rest of Fiscal Year 2026 (ending September 30, 2026), and a State Department warning that EB-1 India could become unavailable in the coming weeks if demand keeps pace.
| Category | All Chargeability | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current ✅ | 07/01/2023 ▲ | 10/15/2022 (holds) | Current ✅ | Current ✅ |
| EB-2 | Current ✅ | 09/01/2021 (holds) | Unavailable ❌ | Current ✅ | Current ✅ |
| EB-3 (Skilled/Prof) | Current ✅ | 01/01/2022 ▲ | 01/01/2014 (holds) | 01/15/2019 (holds) | Current ✅ |
| EB-3 (Other Workers) | 09/01/2024 ▲ | 05/01/2019 ▲ | 01/01/2014 (holds) | 01/15/2019 (holds) | Current ✅ |
| EB-5 (Set-aside/Non-set-aside) | Current ✅ | 01/01/2017 (holds) | Unavailable ❌ | Current ✅ | Current ✅ |
▲ = movement forward; ❌ = Unavailable (no visas available this month). Source: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin, August 2026.
EB-1 India: Holding Steady, But a Warning Attached
EB-1 India’s final action date holds at October 15, 2022 in August — no movement from July. However, the State Department has explicitly cautioned that the EB-1 India cutoff could become unavailable in the coming weeks if demand continues at its current pace, before the fiscal year closes on September 30, 2026. Applicants with pending EB-1 India cases should not assume the category will remain open through September.
EB-2 India and EB-5 India: Still Unavailable Through FY2026
EB-2 India remains unavailable for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026, which ends September 30, 2026. This follows the annual limit being exhausted earlier in FY2026. No new EB-2 India final action or filing dates will be published until the FY2027 allocation begins October 1, 2026.
Family-Based Priority Date Cutoffs — August 2026
Family-sponsored categories were the real story of the August bulletin. F2A — spouses and unmarried children under 21 of green card holders — advanced by roughly 19 months for most countries, the single largest jump of any category so far in 2026. F1, F2B, F3, and F4 also moved forward, giving thousands of family-based applicants a new filing window.
| Category | All Chargeability | Mexico | Philippines | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 — Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens | 12/15/2018 | 11/01/2003 | 09/01/2016 | Advances ▲ |
| F2A — Spouses/children of LPRs | 07/22/2026 | 07/22/2025 | 07/22/2026 | ~+19 months ▲▲ |
| F2B — Unmarried adult children of LPRs | 01/01/2018 | 03/08/2006 | 05/15/2013 | Advances ▲ |
| F3 — Married children of U.S. citizens | 05/15/2012 | 06/01/2001 | 02/22/2006 | +1 month ▲ |
| F4 — Siblings of U.S. citizens | 09/01/2009 | 09/22/2000 | 08/01/2007 | Advances ▲ |
LPR = Lawful Permanent Resident. Source: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin, August 2026.
F2A’s 19-Month Jump: What Changed
F2A moving nearly a year and a half in a single month is unusual and reflects the State Department clearing a backlog in this category faster than demand is materializing. For spouses and children under 21 of lawful permanent residents, this is the best filing window this category has seen in 2026 — anyone with a priority date on or before roughly July 22, 2026 (or July 22, 2025 for Mexico) should confirm eligibility with their petitioner immediately, since categories that jump this fast can also correct downward in a future bulletin if visa number usage outpaces the annual limit.
USCIS Filing Instructions: Which Chart Applies in August
USCIS has confirmed for August 2026 that employment-based applicants must have a priority date earlier than the Final Action Date shown above — not the Dates for Filing chart. Family-based applicants should confirm with USCIS’s monthly announcement which chart applies, as this has varied month to month in 2026.
| Filing Type | Chart to Use (August 2026) | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Employment-Based I-485 | Final Action Dates | Must have PD earlier than Final Action Date to file AOS |
| Family-Based I-485 | Check USCIS monthly notice | Confirm current chart before filing — USCIS updates this monthly |
What These Changes Mean for You
If you have an F2A priority date on or before roughly July 22, 2026 (July 22, 2025 for Mexico): You have a new filing window this month. Talk to your petitioning lawful permanent resident immediately about filing an I-485, and gather medical exam, financial, and biometric documentation now
— categories that jump this far can move backward again if demand catches up.
If you have an EB-1 India priority date near or after October 15, 2022: Don’t assume next month’s bulletin will hold steady. The State Department has flagged this category as being at risk of turning unavailable before the fiscal year ends September 30, 2026.
If you have an EB-2 India or EB-5 India case: No immigrant visas are available in August for these categories. Existing I-485 filings remain pending; approval cannot occur until FY2027 visa numbers become available on October 1, 2026.
If you have an EB-3 China case: Your priority date cutoff advanced by just over a week to January 1, 2022. Check whether your date is now current and coordinate with your employer or attorney if so.
Frequently Asked Questions — August 2026 Visa Bulletin
When was the August 2026 Visa Bulletin released?
The State Department released it in late July 2026. It governs filing and interview eligibility for all of August 2026.
Why did F2A jump so much?
F2A advanced roughly 19 months for most countries — the largest single-month move of 2026 — reflecting faster-than-expected backlog clearance in that category. Large jumps like this can be followed by a correction if demand catches up.
Is EB-2 India available in August?
No. It remains unavailable through the end of FY2026 (September 30, 2026). New numbers become available October 1, 2026 with the FY2027 allocation.
Could EB-1 India become unavailable soon?
The State Department has explicitly warned this is possible before the fiscal year ends, if demand doesn’t slow.
Which chart applies for EB filings in August?
USCIS confirmed the Final Action Dates chart applies for employment-based I-485 filings in August 2026.
Related Articles
For more context on green card timelines, priority dates, and related immigration policy:
- Visa Bulletin and Priority Dates Guide: How to Read the Charts
- September 2026 Visa Bulletin Predictions: EB-1 India Risk, EB-2 Warning
- August 2026 Visa Bulletin Predictions: What We Expected
- July 2026 Visa Bulletin Released: EB-1 India Retrogresses, EB-3 China Advances
- Form I-485 Adjustment of Status 2026: Complete Guide
