The July 2026 Visa Bulletin is anticipated to bring significant shifts in visa availability, particularly for employment-based categories. While the official bulletin from the U.S. Department of State is expected in mid-June 2026, current trends and official announcements suggest a challenging month for many. The exhaustion of the EB-2 India per-country limit for Fiscal Year 2026, confirmed on May 22, 2026, means this category will be unavailable until October 1, 2026. This, combined with warnings in the June bulletin for other categories, points to a contractionary period for visa processing.
This analysis, based on the June 2026 Visa Bulletin, the May 22 announcement, and expert forecasts, aims to provide a clear picture of what to expect. We will examine the predicted Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing for both employment-based and family-sponsored categories, highlighting key areas of concern and potential movement. Understanding these projections is crucial for individuals navigating the U.S. immigration system.
Employment-Based July 2026 Forecast: Final Action Dates
The Final Action chart dictates when a visa can be issued and is also used by USCIS for certain adjustment of status filings. For July 2026, several employment-based categories are expected to see significant changes, with EB-2 India already confirmed as unavailable.
| Category | Country | Jun 2026 (Official) | Jul 2026 (Forecast) | Move vs Jun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | ROW / MX / PH | Current | Current | Hold |
| EB-1 | China | Apr 1, 2023 | ~Apr 1, 2023 | Hold (forecast) |
| EB-1 | India | Dec 15, 2022 | ~Aug-Oct 2022 / “U” | Further retrogression risk |
| EB-2 | ROW / MX / PH | Current | Current | Hold |
| EB-2 | China | Sep 1, 2021 | ~Sep 1, 2021 or retrogress | Sec F warning active |
| EB-2 | India | Sep 1, 2013 | Confirmed by DOS May 22 | |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | ROW / Mexico | Jun 1, 2024 | ~Jun 1, 2024 | Hold (forecast) |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | China | Aug 1, 2021 | ~Sep 1, 2021 | +30 days (forecast) |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | India | Dec 15, 2013 | ~Jan 15, 2014 | +30 days (forecast) |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | Philippines | Aug 1, 2023 | ~Aug 1, 2023 or retrogress | Sec G warning active |
| Other Workers | ROW / Mexico | Feb 1, 2022 | ~Feb 1, 2022 or +30d | Hold (forecast) |
| Other Workers | China | Apr 1, 2019 | ~May 15, 2019 | +45 days (forecast) |
| Other Workers | India | Dec 15, 2013 | ~Jan 15, 2014 | +30 days (forecast) |
| Other Workers | Philippines | Nov 1, 2021 | ~Nov 1, 2021 | Hold (forecast) |
| EB-4 / SR / Cert Rel | All Countries | Jul 15, 2022 | ~Jul 15, 2022 to Aug 15, 2022 | Hold or +30d |
| EB-5 Unreserved | ROW / MX / PH | Current | Current | Hold |
| EB-5 Unreserved | China | Sep 22, 2016 | ~Oct 22, 2016 | +30 days (forecast) |
| EB-5 Unreserved | India | May 1, 2022 | Retrogress or “U” | Sec H “next month” |
| EB-5 Set-Asides | All | Current | Current | Hold |
Why EB-2 India Will List as “Unavailable” in July
The U.S. Department of State officially announced on May 22, 2026, that the per-country limit for EB-2 visas for India has been reached for Fiscal Year 2026. This means the category will be marked as “U” (Unavailable) on both the Final Action and Dates for Filing charts until the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2026. This is a confirmed outcome, not a forecast. For those with pending I-485 applications, this unavailability does not lead to denial but means the green card cannot be approved until a visa number becomes available on October 1, 2026.
EB-1 India – Why Further Retrogression Is Likely
EB-1 India experienced a significant pull-back of 107 days in June, moving from April 1, 2023, to December 15, 2022. The June bulletin warned that further retrogression or unavailability might be necessary if India’s pro-rated limits were approached. With EB-2 India now exhausted, EB-1 India faces increased pressure. Analyst forecasts suggest a further pull-back of two to five months, potentially placing the Final Action date between August and October 2022. There is also a possibility of an “Unavailable” designation before September 30 if the category nears its own limit.
EB-5 Unreserved India – The Single Highest-Probability Event for July
Section H of the June bulletin used the strongest warning language, specifying action “in the next month” for EB-5 Unreserved India. This indicates an imminent change. The most likely outcomes for July are a significant retrogression of the Final Action date from May 1, 2022, possibly back to late 2020 or early 2021, or an outright “U” listing until the end of the fiscal year. The EB-5 set-aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) are unaffected and remain current.
Employment-Based July 2026 Forecast: Dates for Filing
The Dates for Filing chart indicates the earliest date by which an applicant can file for adjustment of status (Form I-485) with USCIS, or for consular processing. USCIS has primarily used the Final Action Dates for employment-based filings in recent months.
| Category | Country | Jun 2026 (Official) | Jul 2026 (Forecast) | Move vs Jun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | ROW / MX / PH | Current | Current | Hold |
| EB-1 | China / India | Dec 1, 2023 | ~Dec 1, 2023 | Hold (forecast) |
| EB-2 | ROW / MX / PH | Current | Current | Hold |
| EB-2 | China | Jan 1, 2022 | ~Jan 1, 2022 | Hold (forecast) |
| EB-2 | India | Jan 15, 2015 | Confirmed by DOS | |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | ROW / Mexico | Current | Current | Hold |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | China | Jan 1, 2022 | ~Jan 1, 2022 | Hold (forecast) |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | India | Jan 15, 2015 | ~Jan 15, 2015 | Hold (forecast) |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | Philippines | Jan 1, 2024 | ~Jan 1, 2024 | Hold (forecast) |
| Other Workers | ROW / MX / PH | Aug 1, 2022 | ~Aug 1, 2022 | Hold (forecast) |
| Other Workers | China | Oct 1, 2019 | ~Oct 1, 2019 | Hold (forecast) |
| Other Workers | India | Jan 15, 2015 | ~Jan 15, 2015 | Hold (forecast) |
| EB-4 / SR / Cert Rel | All Countries | Jan 1, 2023 | ~Jan 1, 2023 | Hold (forecast) |
| EB-5 Unreserved | ROW / MX / PH | Current | Current | Hold |
| EB-5 Unreserved | China | Mar 1, 2017 | ~Mar 1, 2017 | Hold (forecast) |
| EB-5 Unreserved | India | May 1, 2024 | Retrogress / “U” | Sec H warning |
| EB-5 Set-Asides | All | Current | Current | Hold |
The question remains whether USCIS will continue to mandate the use of Final Action Dates for employment-based adjustment of status filings in July, following the trend from May and June. Given the unavailability of EB-2 India and the potential for further retrogression, it is likely that USCIS will continue to use Chart A (Final Action Dates) for employment-based filings.
Three Categories Remain Under Active Retrogression Warning
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin highlighted specific categories with explicit warnings about potential retrogression in the coming months. July is expected to be the month where the State Department addresses at least one, and possibly all, of these concerns.
The June 2026 Bulletin’s Warning Sections
- Section E – EB-1 and EB-2 India: This section already reflected retrogression in June and warned of further pull-backs or unavailability if India’s pro-rated limits were reached. With EB-2 India confirmed unavailable, attention now focuses on EB-1 India.
- Section F – EB-2 China: This section indicated that increased demand and number usage could necessitate a retrogression or unavailability for EB-2 China in the coming months. July or August are considered likely periods for action.
- Section G – EB-3 Philippines: Similar to EB-2 China, this section warned that sufficient demand might require a retrogression or unavailability for EB-3 Philippines. The category could hold at its current date or move backward.
- Section H – EB-5 Unreserved India: The phrase “in the next month” used in this section is the State Department’s strongest signal for an imminent action. This makes EB-5 Unreserved India the category with the highest probability of a retrogression or unavailability action in the July bulletin.
Family-Sponsored July 2026 Forecast: Final Action Dates
Family-sponsored categories have generally shown consistent movement throughout Fiscal Year 2026, offering a brighter outlook compared to employment-based options. However, the pace of advancement is expected to slow slightly in July.
| Category | Country | Jun 2026 (Official) | Jul 2026 (Forecast) | Move vs Jun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | ROW / CN / IN | Sep 1, 2017 | ~Oct 8, 2017 | +5 weeks (forecast) |
| F1 | Mexico | Nov 8, 2007 | ~Nov 22, 2007 | +2 weeks (forecast) |
| F1 | Philippines | May 1, 2013 | ~May 15, 2013 | +2 weeks (forecast) |
| F2A | ROW / CN / IN / PH | Jan 1, 2025 | ~Mar 15, 2025 | +10 weeks (forecast) |
| F2A | Mexico | Jan 1, 2024 | ~Feb 1, 2024 | +1 month (forecast) |
| F2B | ROW / CN / IN | Sep 22, 2017 | ~Oct 22, 2017 | +30 days (forecast) |
| F2B | Mexico | Feb 15, 2009 | ~Mar 1, 2009 | +2 weeks (forecast) |
| F2B | Philippines | Apr 8, 2013 | ~Apr 22, 2013 | +2 weeks (forecast) |
| F3 | ROW / CN / IN | Feb 15, 2012 | ~Mar 1, 2012 | +2 weeks (forecast) |
| F3 | Mexico | May 1, 2001 | ~May 1, 2001 | Hold or +1 week |
| F3 | Philippines | Nov 22, 2005 | ~Dec 8, 2005 | +2 weeks (forecast) |
| F4 | ROW / China | Nov 8, 2008 | ~Dec 8, 2008 | +30 days (forecast) |
| F4 | India | Nov 1, 2006 | ~Nov 1, 2006 | Hold (forecast) |
| F4 | Mexico | Apr 8, 2001 | ~Apr 22, 2001 | +2 weeks (forecast) |
| F4 | Philippines | Jul 15, 2007 | ~Aug 1, 2007 | +2 weeks (forecast) |
F2A – The Pace Likely Slows in July
The F2A category, which includes spouses and minor children of Lawful Permanent Residents, has seen substantial advancement in recent months. However, this rapid pace is expected to decelerate in July. While the category is still projected to move forward, the advance is likely to be slower than the previous ~150-day-per-bulletin pace. A forecast of moving from January 1, 2025, to around March 15, 2025, for ROW, China, India, and the Philippines reflects this expected slowdown.
The Dates for Filing for F2A is anticipated to remain current across all chargeability areas. Other family categories like F2B ROW, F4 ROW/China, and F1 ROW are also expected to advance, though by smaller increments. Categories with extremely long backlogs, such as F4 India and F3 Mexico, are more likely to hold steady.
DV-2026 July Cut-Offs (Already Pre-Announced by DOS)
The Diversity Visa (DV) program cut-off dates for July 2026 have already been officially announced in the June bulletin. These dates are not forecasts but confirmed figures used for consular interview scheduling.
- AFRICA: 55,000 (Algeria 40,000, Egypt 31,000)
- ASIA: 35,000 (Nepal 13,000)
- EUROPE: 23,000
- NORTH AMERICA (Bahamas): 50
- OCEANIA: 1,700
- SOUTH AMERICA & CARIBBEAN: 3,300
DV-2026 selectees whose rank number falls at or below their region’s July cut-off are strongly advised to schedule their consular interviews immediately. The DV-2026 program officially ends on September 30, 2026, and there is a warning that visa numbers may be exhausted before this date.
What You Should Do Now – Action Plan by Category
Given the expected changes in the July 2026 Visa Bulletin, specific actions are recommended for different applicant groups.
For EB-5 Unreserved India applicants
With Section H’s strong indication of an imminent change, applicants with priority dates before May 1, 2022 (Final Action) or May 1, 2024 (Filing) should ensure their documentation is complete and submitted promptly. Confirm with your regional center or the National Visa Center (NVC) that your case is ready to proceed before the July bulletin is released.
For EB-2 India applicants
As EB-2 India is confirmed unavailable until September 30, 2026, pending I-485 applications will remain on hold. Protections like Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and Advance Parole continue to apply. The category is expected to reopen on October 1, 2026, with initial forecasts suggesting a return to around the September 1, 2013, Final Action date.
For EB-1 India applicants
Given the likelihood of further retrogression, individuals with priority dates between December 15, 2022, and April 1, 2023, should be prepared for their cases to fall out of “current” status. It is advisable to keep I-140 petitions active and consult with legal counsel regarding any potential re-filing or transfer of I-485 applications.
For EB-2 China and EB-3 Philippines applicants
With active warnings in Sections F and G, those with priority dates before September 1, 2021 (EB-2 China) or August 1, 2023 (EB-3 Philippines) should consider filing their I-485 applications as soon as possible if eligible. Delaying could mean losing the opportunity to file if these categories retrogress.
For F2A applicants
Applicants with priority dates before January 1, 2025, should be ready to file their adjustment of status applications. The Dates for Filing chart for F2A is expected to remain current, and USCIS has been accepting filings based on this chart for family-based adjustment of status applications. Ensure all necessary documents, including the I-130 approval and medical examination results, are prepared.
For DV-2026 selectees
With the DV-2026 entitlement ending on September 30, 2026, and a warning of potential early exhaustion of numbers, selectees whose rank numbers are within the July cut-offs should schedule their consular interviews immediately. Prompt action is crucial to avoid missing the opportunity.
What to Watch When the Official July Bulletin Releases
When the official July 2026 Visa Bulletin is released, pay close attention to the following key areas:
- EB-5 Unreserved India: The State Department’s “in the next month” warning makes this the most anticipated change. Observe whether it retrogresses significantly, becomes unavailable, or unexpectedly holds its date.
- EB-2 India Status: While confirmed as unavailable, the bulletin may provide details on how the category will reopen in FY-2027, including any initial October cut-off dates.
- EB-2 China and EB-3 Philippines Actions: Monitor if Sections F and G result in actual retrogression for these categories, or if the warnings are carried over to the August bulletin.
- USCIS Chart Determination: Note whether USCIS continues to use Final Action Dates for employment-based adjustment of status filings or reverts to the Dates for Filing chart.
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