June 2026 Visa Bulletin Brings Significant Retrogression For EB-1 & EB-2 India

VisaNation’s legal team provides timely updates on the latest USCIS visa bulletin, analyzes movements in filing and final action dates, and predicts upcoming movements in priority dates. This month, we’ll go over the June 2026 visa bulletin.

For more information on how to read the bulletin, scroll to the bottom of the post or view the Table of Contents.

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June 2026 Visa Bulletin: Overview

The State Department’s June 2026 Visa Bulletin brings sharp retrogression for India in EB-1 and EB-2, modest forward movement in EB-3 for India and China, and remains mostly unchanged for everyone else. Critically, the Dates for Filing chart is unchanged across all EB categories and all countries – only Final Action Dates moved.

The Key Changes in Employment-Based categories:

The Department of State confirmed that high demand and number use forced retrogression to keep India within its FY 2026 pro-rated annual limit. DOS warned that further retrogression or an “unavailable” designation is possible in the coming months for EB-1 and EB-2 India.

• EB-1 India retrogressed by 3.5 months (from April 1, 2023, to December 15, 2022).
• EB-2 India saw a massive retrogression of 10.5 months (from July 15, 2014, to September 1, 2013).
• Despite the setbacks in EB-1 and EB-2, EB-3 India and Other Workers India both advanced by 1 month to December 15, 2013.

For Indian-born EB-1 and EB-2 applicants with recent priority dates, June will pause visa number availability and final adjustment approvals.

China Sees Steady Progress:

• EB-3 China advanced by 1.5 months (from June 15, 2021, to August 1, 2021).
• Other Workers China advanced by 2 months (from February 1, 2019, to April 1, 2019).
• EB-3 (Rest of World & Mexico): Aside from China, these categories remained stagnant for the Final Action Date.

While EB-2 held at 01SEP21, the DOS flagged possible retrogression

Mexico, the Philippines, and Worldwide

• EB-1 and EB-2 remain Current for Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines
• EB-3 Worldwide and Mexico hold at 01JUN24
• EB-3 Philippines holds at 01AUG23. However, the DOS flagged possible retrogression
• EB-3 Other Workers: no changes for Worldwide, Mexico, or the Philippines

The aggressive forward movement the DOS pushed in prior months was meant to use FY 2026 numbers in light of reduced issuance from certain countries (Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998 and related processing updates). As demand from other countries catches up, more retrogression is possible before the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2026.

Predictions In The Coming Months

The projections below are based on DOS’s explicit warnings in the June bulletin, the FY 2026 demand dynamics, and historical year-end patterns. They are informed expectations, not guarantees, as bulletin movement can shift sharply month to month.

• EB-1 India: Further retrogression is likely in July or August – potentially into mid-2022 – and an “unavailable” designation in late summer is possible. Expect a meaningful forward jump when FY 2027 begins on October 1, 2026.
• EB-2 India: Further retrogression is highly likely given the steep 10.5-month June move. The Final Action Date could drift into 2012 before the fiscal year end, with risk of “unavailable” in September. The October 2026 reset should bring partial recovery, likely toward mid-2014.
• EB-3 India: Slow incremental forward movement should continue – likely in two- to four-week increments. With EB-2 India retrogressing nearly a year while EB-3 India inches forward, the EB-3 downgrade window is more attractive than it has been in some time, particularly for applicants with late-2013 to early-2014 priority dates.
• EB-2 China: Retrogression is highly probable in July or August following the explicit DOS warning. Expect movement backward from 01SEP21, likely into mid-2021 or earlier.
• EB-1 China: Should remain stable at or near 01APR23 through the remainder of FY 2026, with possible modest movement once year-end allocations are clarified.
• EB-3 China: Modest forward movement should continue while EB-2 China remains constrained. The June advance reflects spillover dynamics that should persist in the short term.
• EB-3 Philippines: Retrogression is likely before the fiscal year end. We expect 01AUG23 to either hold for one more month and then retrogress, or move backward immediately in July.
• Worldwide, Mexico, and EB-1 Worldwide. EB-1 and EB-2 should remain Current for Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines through the end of FY 2026. EB-3 Worldwide and Mexico (01JUN24) may see modest forward movement or hold steady; retrogression here would be unexpected.
• October 2026 reset: Expect a meaningful reset on October 1, 2026. The new fiscal year brings a fresh ~140,000 EB numbers and new per-country allocations. India and China applicants who were paused during summer retrogressions should see significant forward movement in the October 2026 bulletin.
• The key policy variable to watch: Any amendment to Presidential Proclamations 10949 or 10998, or to related issuance practices, could significantly shift the Department of State’s plan for the rest of 2026

Family-Based Categories – A Silver Lining

Unlike employment-based applicants, family-sponsored filers continue to benefit from the Filing chart in June. There was meaningful forward movement in several categories:

• F-2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): saw a major leap in Final Action Dates, advancing by 5 months across all chargeability areas and Mexico.
• F2B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens): Final Action Dates advanced by 4 months for most regions (Worldwide, China, and India), though Mexico and the Philippines remained stagnant.
• While most regions saw no change in the F1 category, Mexico saw a notable advancement of 2 months and 24 days in its Final Action Date.
• The F4 category (Brothers and Sisters of U.S. Citizens) Final Action Dates moved forward by 1 month and 24 days for the Worldwide and China chargeability areas.

For family-based applicants in these categories, June represents a meaningful and timely opportunity that should not be overlooked.

Next Steps

If your priority date is affected, contact our office to review case strategy, including EB-3 downgrade options for Indian EB-2 holders with late-2013 priority dates, AP/EAD renewal timing, and contingency planning for the months ahead.

This summary is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Visa bulletin movement can change month to month. Please contact our office to discuss how the June 2026 bulletin affects your specific case.

Adjustment of Status (AOS) Filing Guidance

For Adjustment of Status (AOS) filings, USCIS has confirmed:

• Employment-based categories:  You must use the Final Action Dates chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for June 2026.
• Family-sponsored categories: You must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for June 2026.

Final Action vs. Filing Dates:

It’s important to differentiate between the final action dates (when a visa can be issued) and the filing dates (when an application can be submitted). This will help applicants understand their current status and next steps.

The Final Action Dates chart determines when an I-485 adjustment of status application can be approved (adjudicated) and your green card issued, while the Dates for Filing Chart determines when you can submit your I-485 Adjustment of Status application.

Here is why this distinction is critical for our clients:

For individuals with a pending Adjustment of Status (AOS) application, we stress that their priority date must be current under the Final Action Chart for their green card to be approved.

This is also where advanced strategies like interfiling, a process that allows AOS applicants to change their preference category, become a key topic. Interfiling is a process our attorneys use to move a client’s pending AOS application from one preference category to a more favorable one (e.g., from EB-3 to EB-2) to take advantage of a more current Final Action Date. This is a complex legal decision, and we recommend contacting VisaNation Law Group to determine if it is the right strategy for your specific case.

As the fiscal year progresses, demand fluctuations and potential “retrogressions” remain possible. Our firm doesn’t just monitor these trends; we actively analyze them to provide projections as new information becomes available. We encourage all applicants to stay informed and prepared for potential adjustments in the coming months.

Family-Based Green Cards

The category for family-based immigration comprises four preference levels based on who your sponsoring family member is in relation to you. They include:

• F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.
• F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
• F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation.
• F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
• F4: Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

There are five chargeability areas for this category: China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, and “All Other Chargeability Areas.” Your country of chargeability is where you were born.

Family-Based Dates for Filing Charts

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the filing date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Family-Based Final Action Dates Chart

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the final action date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Employment-Based Green Cards

With five different preference levels and seven chargeability areas, USCIS issues employment-based category visas through your job or occupation. The chargeability areas are China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador), Vietnam, and the general category.

Employment-Based Dates: Final Action Dates

Employment-Based Dates for Filing Chart

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the final action date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Important June 2026 Visa Bulletin Dates

For those new to the green card process, our law firm recommends learning a few terms and dates to understand the rest of this visa bulletin report. If you have further questions about the process or anything else about your green card, you should consult with your immigration attorney.

Priority Dates

Each person who files a petition with the USCIS receives a priority date when the government obtains their petition. A priority date establishes a person’s place in line to get an immigrant visa. Keep this date handy, since you will need it to compare with the dates in this bulletin. Remember that your priority date does not move, and you cannot change it except under certain circumstances.

Note: Priority dates are not relevant for immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens (e.g., spouses or minor children) as that category is always current.

Final Action Dates

Final action dates are based on the green card category and the chargeability area – your country of origin. Therefore, the final action dates constantly change based on how many people from each chargeability area have petitioned for that green card.

If green cards are still available, the final action date will likely move closer to your priority date. If green cards are unavailable, you will not see any movement from that final action date. However, if the limit has passed, you may see the date retrogress or move backward from your priority date.

Once the final action date in your green card preference level and chargeability area reaches your priority date, your priority date will be considered current. Once current, you will adjust your status or go through consular processing.

Date for Filing Charts and I-485

You’ll notice there are two charts for each category.

1. The Date for Filing chart determines whether or not one can submit the final immigrant visa application.
2. The Final Action Date chart indicates whether an immigrant visa number will be available.

USCIS announces which chart applicants can use within a week of the visa bulletin’s release.

Can You Shorten Your Waiting Time?

The short answer is: probably not. However, there are two prominent cases in which you may be able to shorten your green card processing time, which we will explain here.

1. The first way is to file an I-140 for a green card category that has a current priority date. In this case, your green card can begin processing immediately, and you can even pay an additional fee for premium processing, which will shorten the processing time to 15 business days. However, this is only available for certain green cards that use the I-140.
2. The second situation involves green card “porting,” or transferring your application from a lower preference level (EB-3) to a higher one (EB-2) to take advantage of the shorter waiting times. This is misleading because you don’t port your green card. In reality, you need to start with a new petition (and a new PERM if necessary). The “porting” aspect only comes in when you indicate that you want to retain your original priority date.

As attractive as “porting” might seem, it is a delicate process with particular requirements. Therefore, we recommend running complex decisions like this through your immigration attorney.

Staying Up-to-Date

In the world of immigration law, it always pays to be informed. The more you know about your green card, the easier it will be to make informed decisions about your case. To stay in the know about things like the newest visa bulletin, follow the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin.