This article was prepared with the assistance of ABIL, the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers, of which Loan Huynh is an active member.
The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for July 2026 includes updates for China, India and the Philippines in several employment-based green card categories:
- Retrogression in the EB-1 category for India. High demand has made it necessary to retrogress the final action date to hold number use within the fiscal year (FY) 2026 annual limit. Further retrogression or making the category unavailable may be necessary in the coming months if India’s pro-rated limit in this category is reached before the fiscal year ends.
- Unavailability of EB-2 numbers for India. India’s pro-rated EB-2 limit was reached, and the category is unavailable for the remainder of FY 2026. In October, when the new fiscal year starts, the final action date is likely to advance but will depend on demand for EB-2 numbers by Indian applicants and the FY 2027 annual limit on employment-based visas.
- Visa availability in the EB-2 category for China. It may be necessary to retrogress the final action date or make this category unavailable in the coming months to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the FY 2026 annual limit.
- Visa availability in the EB-3 category for the Philippines. It may be necessary to retrogress the final action date or make this category unavailable in the coming months to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the FY 2026 annual limit.
- Unavailability of EB-5 unreserved numbers for India. India’s pro-rated EB-5 unreserved limit was reached, and the category is unavailable for the remainder of FY 2026. In October, the final action date is likely to advance but will depend on demand for EB-5 unreserved numbers by Indian applicants and the FY 2027 annual limit on employment-based visas.
For more information, contact the Immigration Group.
