July 2026 Visa Bulletin: Major Updates for EB-1 and EB-2 NIW Applicants You Can’t Afford to Ignore
The U.S. Department of State has released the July 2026 Visa Bulletin, and while many employment-based applicants continue to enjoy current filing dates, others especially applicants from India and China are still facing significant backlogs.
If you’re planning to file your employment-based green card or National Interest Waiver (NIW), understanding this bulletin is critical. A single update can determine whether you can submit your application immediately or wait months or even years.
Let’s break it all down.
What Is the Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State that determines when immigrant visa applicants can move forward with their green card process.
For employment-based immigration, there are two important charts:
Final Action Dates
Dates for Filing Applications
For July 2026, USCIS has instructed employment-based applicants to use the Final Action Dates chart when filing adjustment of status applications.
This means your priority date must be earlier than the Final Action Date listed for your category before USCIS can approve your green card.
July 2026 Filing Dates Overview
Employment-Based First Preference (EB-1)
Country
Filing Date
All Chargeability Areas
Current
China
June 1, 2023
India
October 15, 2022
Mexico
Current
Philippines
Current
What this means
Applicants from most countries remain current.
China continues to experience retrogression, with filings limited to applicants whose priority dates are before June 1, 2023.
India remains significantly backlogged, with a filing date of October 15, 2022.
Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2 NIW)
Country
Filing Date
All Chargeability Areas
Current
China
September 1, 2021
India
Unavailable
Mexico
Current
Philippines
Current
What this means
For EB-2 NIW applicants:
Most countries remain Current, allowing eligible applicants to move forward.
China continues to face a long waiting period.
India remains Unavailable (U), meaning no immigrant visas are available in this category for July 2026.
What Does “Current” Mean?
When a category is listed as Current (C), there is no waiting line.
Applicants whose petitions are approved may proceed with the next stage of their immigration process immediately, provided they meet all eligibility requirements.
What Does “Unavailable (U)” Mean?
One of the most misunderstood terms in the Visa Bulletin is Unavailable (U).
When a category is marked Unavailable:
No immigrant visas are available for that month.
USCIS cannot approve green card applications in that category.
Applicants must wait until the category becomes available again in a future Visa Bulletin.
It does not mean your petition has been denied or cancelled, it simply means the annual visa quota has been exhausted.
Why Are India and China Still Backlogged?
The employment-based immigration system has annual numerical limits and per-country caps.
Countries like India and China consistently generate far more employment-based petitions than the number of visas allocated each year.
As demand continues to exceed supply, waiting times grow longer, causing:
Retrogression
Delayed filings
Visa unavailability
Longer green card processing timelines
Who Should Pay Attention?
This update is especially important if you are:
EB-1 Extraordinary Ability applicants
Outstanding Professors or Researchers
Multinational Executives or Managers
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) applicants
Adjustment of Status applicants inside the U.S.
Individuals preparing to submit Form I-485
Key Takeaways from the July 2026 Visa Bulletin
✅ EB-1 remains Current for most countries.
✅ China EB-1 advances to June 1, 2023.
✅ India EB-1 remains at October 15, 2022.
✅ EB-2 NIW is Current for most countries.
✅ China EB-2 NIW remains at September 1, 2021.
✅ India EB-2 NIW is Unavailable.
✅ USCIS requires applicants to use the Final Action Dates chart for July 2026 employment-based filings.
What Should You Do Next?
If you’re pursuing an employment-based green card:
Confirm your priority date.
Compare it with the Final Action Dates for your category.
Prepare your supporting documents early.
Monitor future Visa Bulletins, as dates can move forward, or backward, depending on visa demand.
Staying informed each month can help you avoid unnecessary delays and position yourself to act as soon as your priority date becomes current.
Final Thoughts
The July 2026 Visa Bulletin brings encouraging news for applicants from most countries, with EB-1 and EB-2 NIW remaining current. However, applicants from India and China continue to face significant delays, highlighting the ongoing impact of annual visa caps and high demand.
Whether you’re just beginning your green card journey or waiting for your priority date to become current, understanding the Visa Bulletin is essential for making timely immigration decisions.
Have questions about how the July 2026 Visa Bulletin affects your case? Contact Us
