The U.S. Department of State published the official July 2026 Visa Bulletin on June 16, 2026. Key results: EB-1 India retrogressed to 10/15/2022 (vs. the 12/15/2022 June cutoff), EB-2 India remains unavailable, and EB-3 China advanced nearly five months to 12/22/2021.
→ See the full July 2026 Visa Bulletin with all cutoff dates →
- Why July 2026 Matters: The FY2026 Visa Number Crunch
- June 2026 Final Action Dates: The Baseline
- July 2026 Visa Bulletin Predictions by Category
- Why EB-2 India Faces Continued Retrogression
- Family-Based Category Predictions for July 2026
- What Should You Do Right Now?
- When Will the July 2026 Visa Bulletin Be Published?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Articles
Why July 2026 Matters: The FY2026 Visa Number Crunch
Every U.S. fiscal year (October 1 – September 30) starts with a fresh allocation of employment-based immigrant visa numbers: 140,000 total, prorated by preference category and by country. By the time summer arrives — particularly July and August — the Department of State is actively managing how many numbers remain before fiscal year-end. When demand outpaces supply, the result is retrogression: priority dates move backward, freezing applicants out of filing or final action.
June 2026 brought significant retrogression for Indian-chargeability applicants, with EB-2 India losing more than 10 months of forward progress in a single bulletin. Expert analysts widely expect this pressure to continue — and potentially intensify — in July and August as FY2026 visa numbers approach exhaustion for certain categories.
June 2026 Final Action Dates: The Baseline
Understanding where we start in June is essential for forecasting July movement. The table below shows the current Final Action Dates from the June 2026 Visa Bulletin for key employment-based categories:
| Category | All Countries | India | China | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | Apr 1, 2023 | Apr 1, 2023 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | Current | Mar 1, 2013 | Jun 1, 2020 | Current | Current |
| EB-3 Skilled/Prof. | Current | Jan 15, 2013 | Aug 1, 2021 | Current | Current |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Current | Jan 1, 2013 | Jan 1, 2015 | Current | Current |
| EB-5 (Unreserved) | Current | Nov 22, 2019 | Mar 1, 2016 | Current | Current |
Source: U.S. Department of State, June 2026 Visa Bulletin. Note: “Current” means all applicants in that category with that chargeability country may file or receive final action immediately.
July 2026 Visa Bulletin Predictions by Category
| Category & Chargeability | June 2026 Date | July 2026 Prediction | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 India | Apr 1, 2023 | Feb–Mar 2023 (retrogression) or hold | ⚠️ Further retrogression likely; “Unavailable” possible by Aug–Sep |
| EB-1 China | Apr 1, 2023 | Apr–May 2023 (modest advance) or hold | 🟡 Minimal movement; pressure from India may affect China allocation |
| EB-2 India | Mar 1, 2013 | Jan–Feb 2013 (retrogression) or hold | ⚠️ High probability of further retrogression; risk of “Unavailable” in Aug–Sep |
| EB-2 China | Jun 1, 2020 | May–Jun 2020 (hold or minor retrogression) | 🟡 Retrogression possible per DOS warning; hold or slight backward movement |
| EB-3 India | Jan 15, 2013 | Feb–Mar 2013 (2–6 week advance) | ✅ Slow but steady advancement expected; 2–4 week increments typical |
| EB-3 China | Aug 1, 2021 | Sep–Oct 2021 (modest advance) | ✅ Gradual advancement expected to continue |
| EB-1/2/3 All Other | Current | Current | ✅ Expected to remain Current |
These are analyst predictions based on FY2026 demand trends, prior bulletin movement, and Department of State communications. They are not official and should not be used as the basis for filing decisions without consulting an immigration attorney.
Why EB-2 India Faces Continued Retrogression
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin shocked the EB-2 India community with a retrogression of more than 10 months in a single bulletin — an unusually steep move. The primary driver: India’s per-country cap. Under U.S. law, no single country may receive more than 7% of the 140,000 annual employment-based visas. With India accounting for a disproportionate share of EB-1 and EB-2 petitions, India-chargeability numbers are exhausted faster than other country allocations.
By summer (July–September), the Department of State is actively monitoring remaining visa numbers to prevent overuse before fiscal year-end on September 30. When projected demand exceeds remaining supply, the DOS retrogresssed dates — sometimes dramatically. Analysts at multiple immigration firms have flagged the possibility that EB-2 India and even EB-1 India could be designated “Unavailable” for August or September 2026 if the pace of visa number consumption doesn’t slow.
Family-Based Category Predictions for July 2026
| Category | Chargeability | June 2026 (approx.) | July 2026 Prediction |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 (Unmarried adult children of USC) | Worldwide | Advancing | Moderate forward movement |
| F2A (Spouses/children of LPR) | Worldwide | Advancing | Continued gradual advancement |
| F2B (Unmarried adult children of LPR) | Worldwide | Advancing | Slow forward movement |
| F1/F2B/F3/F4 | Mexico | Stable/slow advance | Relatively stable; may see targeted movement |
| F1/F3/F4 | Philippines | Advancing | Moderate forward movement |
What Should You Do Right Now?
If your priority date is current under the June 2026 Final Action Dates for EB-2 India: File your I-485 immediately if you have not already done so. Further retrogression in July may freeze your date again. Every month of delay risks losing the filing window.
If your priority date is in the Dates for Filing window but not yet Final Action: Consult with your immigration attorney about whether to file the I-485 now using the Dates for Filing chart to “lock in” your place in line. Once filed, a pending I-485 gives you important benefits — including work authorization (EAD) and advance parole — even if your Final Action Date retrogressions later.
If you are on an H-1B and approaching your 6-year cap: The USCIS 7th-year H-1B extension under AC21 (§ 104(c)) requires a pending I-140 approved for at least 365 days or an I-485 already filed. If the EB-2 India date retrogresses to “Unavailable” and you can’t file an I-485, your 7th-year extension eligibility may depend entirely on whether your I-140 has been approved for at least one year. Review your timeline with counsel immediately.
When Will the July 2026 Visa Bulletin Be Published?
The Department of State typically releases the following month’s visa bulletin between the 10th and 15th of the current month. Based on this pattern, the July 2026 Visa Bulletin is expected to be published between June 10 and June 13, 2026. USCIS then usually issues its own announcement confirming which Dates for Filing chart (if any) will be accepted for adjustment of status applications within a few days of the DOS release.
Bookmark this page — we will update it with the official July 2026 dates the moment the bulletin is published.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will the July 2026 Visa Bulletin be released?
Expected between June 10–13, 2026. USCIS will follow with its filing chart announcement within a few days.
Q: Will EB-2 India retrogress further in July 2026?
Most analysts expect continued retrogression. The June 2026 bulletin’s 10+ month backward move signals the DOS is aggressively managing remaining FY2026 visa numbers. An “Unavailable” designation for August–September 2026 is a real possibility.
Q: What does “Unavailable” mean in the visa bulletin?
It means no visa numbers are available for that category and country that month. No new I-485 filings are permitted, and no green cards can be issued. The category typically resets on October 1 with a new FY allocation.
Q: Can I still extend my H-1B if EB-2 India goes “Unavailable”?
Yes, if your I-140 has been approved for 365+ days, you qualify for a 3-year H-1B extension beyond the 6-year cap under AC21 — regardless of bulletin availability. Consult your attorney to assess your specific timeline.
Q: Should I file my I-485 now while EB-2 India is current?
If your priority date is before the June 2026 Final Action Date, filing now is generally advisable — it protects your place in line and gives you EAD/advance parole benefits even if your date retrogressses later. Consult your attorney before filing.
