Final Action Dates for EB-1, EB-2 retrogress in June 2026 visa bulletin
The June 2026 visa bulletin printed by the State Department supplied little to no hope for Indian Green Card hopefuls because the queue turned longer, growing the ready time. To break it down, India’s Final Action Date for the EB-1 class moved again by three and a half months to December 15, 2022. In the EB-2 class, India’s Final Action Date retrogresses by greater than 10 months to September 1, 2013.
What are EB-1 and EB-2?
EB-1 and EB-2 are the 2 employment-based Green Card classes in the US immigration system. These are probably the most used paths by H-1Bs to use for Green Cards. EB-1 is for folks with extraordinary potential, researchers, and managers. EB-2 is for folks with superior levels like software program engineers, information scientists, docs, and researchers. EB-1 has a shorter ready interval in comparison with EB-2 and EB-3.
What is the Final Action Date?
Final Action Date talked about in the month-to-month visa bulletin is an important marker for the motion. This date determines who can really obtain a Green Card approval this month. So this month, those that have Priority Date earlier than December 15, 2022 for an EB-1 Green Card will get their everlasting residence. For EB-2, these with a Priority Date earlier than September 1, 2013, will get a Green Card this month. Priority Date is the date the employer filed the PERM labor certification or the US obtained the I-140 petition.
Other developments in June visa bulletin
- EB-1: China’s cutoff date stays at April 1, 2023. For all different international locations, this class is present, which suggests there isn’t any ready time.
- EB-2: China’s cutoff date is September 1, 2021. For different international locations, it’s present.
- EB-3: India’s cutoff date inches ahead to December 15, 2023 and China’s cutoff date is now August 1, 2021. For different international locations. the EB-3 cutoff date if June 1, 2024.
- EB-5: The EB5 unreserved class for India stays at May 1, 2022, and China’s unreserved cutoff date stays at September 22, 2016. The EB5 class stays present for all different chargeability areas and for the three EB5 set-aside classes (rural, excessive unemployment, and infrastructure) throughout all international locations.
Why retrogression?
Retrogression is the dates transferring again from earlier dates when the quota is full. The USCIS stated: “High demand and number use by aliens chargeable to India in the EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories have made it necessary to retrogress the final action dates to hold number use within the FY 2026 annual limit.” It additionally warned of additional retrogressions, or making the classes “unavailable,” if India’s pro-rated limits in the EB-1 or EB-2 classes are reached earlier than the fiscal 12 months ends. This scenario shall be frequently monitored, and any mandatory changes shall be made accordingly, the bulletin stated.
