The June 2026 Visa Bulletin has brought fresh uncertainty for thousands of green card applicants, especially Indian professionals waiting in employment-based categories. Sharp retrogression in EB-1 and EB-2 has once again highlighted how intense the pressure on U.S. visa numbers has become.

For many applicants, the biggest surprise was USCIS deciding to use Final Action Dates for employment-based filings in June 2026. That move could delay adjustment applications for workers who were hoping their priority dates would finally become current this summer.

With backlogs growing and visa demand rising faster than available numbers, the latest bulletin signals that the road to permanent residency may become even longer in the months ahead.

What Is the Visa Bulletin and Why It Matters

For anyone waiting for a U.S. green card, the Visa Bulletin is one of the most important monthly updates to watch. Published by the U.S. Department of State, it determines when applicants can move forward in the immigration process based on visa availability and priority dates.

The bulletin becomes especially important for employment-based applicants from countries like India and China, where demand often exceeds the annual visa limit. Even a small movement forward — or backward — can affect filing timelines, work authorization plans, travel decisions, and overall green card wait times.

Role of the U.S. Department of State

The U.S. Department of State releases the Visa Bulletin every month to manage the distribution of immigrant visa numbers across different categories and countries.

Its main responsibilities include:

• Tracking annual green card limits set by U.S. immigration law

• Monitoring visa demand worldwide

• Setting cutoff dates for family-based and employment-based categories

• Preventing visa numbers from exceeding yearly caps

The bulletin acts as a waiting list system. If demand rises too quickly, cutoff dates may slow down or retrogress to keep visa issuance within legal limits.

Difference Between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing

The Visa Bulletin contains two separate charts, and understanding the difference is critical.

Final Action Dates

This chart shows when a green card can actually be approved. Applicants can only receive permanent residency if their priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff date.

Dates for Filing

This chart allows applicants to submit paperwork earlier, even if a green card is not immediately available yet.

Simple Breakdown:

• Final Action Dates = Green card approval stage

• Dates for Filing = Early filing eligibility stage

In June 2026, USCIS announced it would use the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based filings, which limited who could submit Form I-485 applications that month.

How Priority Dates Affect Green Card Processing

A priority date is essentially an applicant’s place in the green card queue. In most employment-based cases, it is the date when the PERM labor certification or immigrant petition was first filed.

Your case can only move forward when:

• Your priority date becomes current

• Your category has visa numbers available

• USCIS or the Department of State opens filing eligibility

Example:

If the Visa Bulletin shows:

• EB-2 India cutoff date: January 1, 2014

• Your priority date: March 2015

Your case would still need to wait because your date is not yet current.

Why It Matters:

Priority dates determine:

• When you can file adjustment of status

• When dependents can apply

• When employment authorization and travel documents may become available

• How long the total green card wait may last

Why Monthly Visa Bulletin Changes Matter for Applicants

Even minor Visa Bulletin movements can have a major impact on applicants and employers.

A forward movement may:

• Allow thousands of pending applicants to file

• Speed up green card approvals

• Open eligibility for work and travel permits

A retrogression may:

• Delay green card processing for months or years

• Pause pending approvals

• Create uncertainty for H-1B workers and families

Applicants Closely Watch Each Month For:

• Forward movement in cutoff dates

• Retrogression warnings

• USCIS filing chart decisions

• Category-specific demand trends

• Fiscal year visa number usage

Because immigration demand changes constantly, the Visa Bulletin often becomes the clearest indicator of how the U.S. green card backlog is evolving in real time.

June 2026 Visa Bulletin — Key Highlights

The June 2026 Visa Bulletin delivered one of the biggest employment-based setbacks seen this fiscal year, especially for Indian applicants in EB-1 and EB-2 categories. After months of slow progress, the latest bulletin introduced sharp retrogressions, signaling that annual visa limits are now under heavy pressure.

Another major development came from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which confirmed that employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart for June filings. That decision immediately reduced the number of applicants eligible to submit adjustment of status applications.

Major Employment-Based Retrogressions in June 2026

The employment-based categories saw mixed movement, but the overall trend clearly showed tightening visa availability.

Biggest Changes in June 2026:

• India EB-1 retrogressed by over 3 months

• India EB-2 moved backward by more than 10 months

• EB-3 India and China saw only modest advancement

• USCIS continued using Final Action Dates instead of Dates for Filing

• The State Department warned that additional retrogressions may happen before the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2026

Why This Matters:

Retrogression means applicants who were previously close to approval may now face longer waiting periods before their green cards can move forward again.

India EB-1 Experiences Sharp Backward Movement

The EB-1 category, usually considered one of the faster employment-based green card paths, saw a significant setback for Indian applicants.

June 2026 EB-1 India Final Action Date:

• Moved from April 1, 2023 → December 15, 2022

• Retrogression of roughly 3.5 months

According to the U.S. Department of State, the rollback was caused by:

• Extremely high demand from India

• Rapid visa number usage

• Efforts to stay within FY 2026 annual limits

Key Impact Areas:

• Delays for multinational executives and managers

• Longer waits for researchers and extraordinary ability applicants

• Slower adjustment processing for pending I-485 cases

The government also warned that EB-1 India could become temporarily “unavailable” later in FY 2026 if demand continues rising.

India EB-2 Cutoff Dates Move Back Significantly

The most dramatic change in the June bulletin came in the EB-2 India category.

June 2026 EB-2 India Final Action Date:

• Moved from July 15, 2014 → September 1, 2013

• Retrogression of more than 10 months

This category remains heavily oversubscribed due to:

• Massive demand from Indian professionals

• High pending adjustment inventories

• Limited employment-based visa allocation

What This Means for Applicants:

• Thousands of applicants may lose filing eligibility

• Green card approvals could slow considerably

• Dependents may face longer uncertainty for status planning

• Some applicants may need to extend H-1B status for additional years

The State Department specifically noted that visa usage levels are approaching annual caps faster than expected.

Other Countries and Categories With Notable Changes

While India faced the sharpest setbacks, several other employment-based categories also showed important movement.

EB-3 India

• Advanced by 1 month

• New cutoff date: December 15, 2013

EB-3 China

• Advanced by roughly 6 weeks

• New cutoff date: August 1, 2021

EB-2 China

• Remained at September 1, 2021

• Officials warned retrogression could still happen in upcoming months due to rising demand

EB-5 India

• The unreserved category remained at May 1, 2022

• The State Department warned possible retrogression or unavailability in coming months

Categories Remaining Current

Several employment-based categories for “All Chargeability Areas” remained current, offering faster processing for applicants outside heavily backlogged countries.

Family-Based Categories Overview

The June 2026 bulletin also included movement across family-sponsored green card categories, although the changes were not as severe as the employment-based side.

Key Family-Based Trends:

• Some F2A categories moved forward significantly

• Several family preference categories continued gradual advancement

• USCIS allowed family-sponsored applicants to use the Dates for Filing chart instead of Final Action Dates

Important Difference:

• Employment-Based Applicants: Final Action Dates chart required

• Family-Based Applicants: Dates for Filing chart allowed

That distinction gave many family-sponsored applicants more filing flexibility compared to employment-based applicants in June 2026.

USCIS Uses Final Action Dates for June 2026 EB Filings

One of the biggest developments in the June 2026 Visa Bulletin was not just the retrogression itself — it was USCIS confirming that employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart for filing adjustment of status applications.

That decision immediately narrowed eligibility for thousands of applicants, especially in heavily backlogged categories like EB-1 and EB-2 India. Many applicants who qualified under the more flexible Dates for Filing chart suddenly became ineligible to submit Form I-485 in June.

What USCIS Announced for June 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed that all employment-based applicants must follow the Final Action Dates chart from the June 2026 Visa Bulletin when determining eligibility for adjustment of status filings.

Official USCIS Filing Rule for June 2026:

• Employment-Based Categories: Use Final Action Dates

• Family-Based Categories: Use Dates for Filing chart

This announcement was especially important because many applicants had expected USCIS to continue allowing the more favorable Dates for Filing chart, which often permits earlier I-485 submissions.

Key Employment-Based Final Action Dates for June 2026:

Why This Became Major News:

Applicants whose priority dates were only current under the Dates for Filing chart lost the ability to file adjustment applications in June 2026.

Why USCIS Chose Final Action Dates Instead of Filing Dates

The move reflects growing pressure on employment-based immigrant visa numbers during FY 2026.

According to the U.S. Department of State, visa demand — particularly from India — has increased rapidly across EB-1 and EB-2 categories. USCIS likely switched to Final Action Dates to slow incoming adjustment filings and keep visa issuance within annual numerical limits.

Main Reasons Behind the Decision:

• Heavy demand in employment-based categories

• Rising pending I-485 inventory

• Annual visa caps nearing exhaustion

• Increased usage of spillover visa numbers

• Risk of categories becoming temporarily unavailable later in FY 2026

The State Department also warned that additional retrogression or even temporary “unavailability” could happen if demand continues rising through summer 2026.

Simple Explanation:

USCIS is essentially slowing the flow of new adjustment filings to prevent visa numbers from running out too quickly before the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2026.

How This Impacts Adjustment of Status Applicants

For many applicants, this USCIS decision creates immediate filing delays and longer green card wait times.

Applicants who were preparing to submit Form I-485 based on the Dates for Filing chart may now need to wait months or longer until their priority dates become current under the stricter Final Action Dates chart.

Major Effects on Applicants:

• Delayed adjustment of status filings

• Slower access to Employment Authorization Documents (EAD)

• Delayed Advance Parole travel permits

• Longer dependence on H-1B or other temporary visas

• Increased uncertainty for dependent spouses and children

Example:

An EB-2 India applicant with:

• Priority Date: January 2014

Could not file in June 2026 because the Final Action Date retrogressed to:

• September 1, 2013

Why This Matters Financially and Professionally

Many applicants rely on pending I-485 status for:

• Job flexibility

• H-4 EAD eligibility

• Long-term relocation planning

• Employer sponsorship stability

A delayed filing can affect all of those areas simultaneously.

Who Can Still File Form I-485 in June 2026

Despite the stricter filing rules, some applicants remain eligible to submit adjustment applications in June 2026.

Applicants Eligible to File:

• Applicants with priority dates earlier than the listed Final Action Dates

• Applicants in categories marked “Current”

• Many applicants from countries outside India and China

• Some EB-3 applicants with earlier priority dates

Categories Remaining Current for Most Countries:

• EB-1 Worldwide

• EB-2 Worldwide

• EB-5 Set-Aside categories

Important Reminder:

To file Form I-485 in June 2026:

• Your priority date must be earlier than the Final Action Date listed in the Visa Bulletin

• USCIS must specifically authorize use of the Final Action Dates chart for that month

Applicants are strongly advised to:

• Recheck priority dates carefully

• Monitor USCIS monthly filing chart updates

• Speak with immigration counsel before submitting adjustment applications

Because filing eligibility can change every month, even small Visa Bulletin movements may dramatically affect green card timelines.

India EB-1 Retrogression Explained

The June 2026 Visa Bulletin delivered a major setback for Indian applicants in the EB-1 category, a classification that is normally considered one of the fastest employment-based green card routes. The sudden backward movement surprised many applicants because EB-1 India had shown relatively stable progress earlier in the fiscal year.

Immigration experts say the retrogression reflects a growing imbalance between demand and available visa numbers. As more high-skilled workers and multinational executives apply under EB-1, the category is now facing the same pressure that has historically affected EB-2 and EB-3 India.

New India EB-1 Cutoff Date for June 2026

According to the June 2026 Visa Bulletin released by the U.S. Department of State, the EB-1 India Final Action Date moved backward significantly.

EB-1 India Final Action Date Change:

• Previous Cutoff: April 1, 2023

• New June 2026 Cutoff: December 15, 2022

That represents a retrogression of approximately:

• 3 months and 17 days

What Retrogression Means:

If an applicant’s priority date falls after December 15, 2022:

• Their green card cannot be approved in June 2026

• Some pending I-485 applications may remain on hold

• New adjustment filings may become ineligible

Quick Snapshot:

The rollback highlights how quickly visa demand increased during the second half of FY 2026.

Why EB-1 India Retrogressed So Sharply

The retrogression happened mainly because visa demand in the EB-1 category rose faster than expected.

Traditionally, EB-1 has been less backlogged because it is reserved for:

• Multinational executives and managers

• Individuals with extraordinary ability

• Outstanding professors and researchers

However, over the last few years, more Indian applicants have shifted toward EB-1 due to severe delays in EB-2 and EB-3 categories.

Main Reasons Behind the Retrogression:

• Rapid increase in EB-1 India filings

• Higher-than-expected adjustment of status demand

• Limited remaining visa numbers for FY 2026

• Heavy usage earlier in the fiscal year

• Reduced flexibility from spillover visas

According to immigration law firms analyzing the bulletin, the government is attempting to prevent the category from exhausting all available numbers before the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2026.

Growing Demand in High-Skilled Employment Categories

The June 2026 bulletin also reflects broader growth in demand across employment-based immigration categories.

Over the last several years:

• More Indian professionals have pursued employment-sponsored green cards

• Large technology companies continued filing immigrant petitions

• Multinational employers increased executive transfer cases

• Applicants upgraded from EB-2 or EB-3 into EB-1 where eligible

Sectors Driving EB-1 Demand:

• Technology

• Artificial intelligence

• Healthcare

• Semiconductor manufacturing

• Research and academia

• Global corporate management

Why This Matters:

As demand rises, available visa numbers are distributed across a much larger pool of applicants. Even highly qualified candidates now face longer waiting periods than in previous years.

The State Department specifically warned that continued demand could force additional restrictions later in FY 2026.

Spillover Visa Number Limitations and Annual Caps

One major reason for the growing backlog is the limited number of employment-based green cards available each year.

Key Immigration Limits:

• Employment-based green cards are capped annually by law

• No single country can receive more than roughly 7% of total visa numbers

• Unused family-based visas sometimes “spill over” into employment categories

During recent years, spillover numbers temporarily helped reduce employment backlogs. But FY 2026 appears to have far fewer extra numbers available.

Why Spillover Matters:

Without additional spillover visas:

• India categories face faster retrogression

• USCIS becomes more restrictive with filing eligibility

• Cutoff dates move slower or backward

Current Situation:

Immigration analysts believe the government is now carefully conserving remaining visa numbers for the rest of FY 2026, especially in oversubscribed categories like EB-1 and EB-2 India.

Impact on Indian Professionals and Multinational Executives

The retrogression could affect thousands of Indian professionals currently living and working in the United States.

Groups Most Affected:

• Senior technology professionals

• Corporate executives on L-1 visas

• Researchers and scientists

• Startup founders applying under extraordinary ability categories

• Long-term H-1B workers transitioning to EB-1

Potential Consequences:

• Delayed green card approvals

• Longer dependence on temporary visas

• Slower job mobility

• Delays for dependent spouses and children

• Increased uncertainty for international travel and relocation planning

For multinational executives in particular, the EB-1 category has historically provided one of the quickest paths to permanent residency. The June 2026 retrogression suggests that advantage is becoming less predictable for Indian-born applicants.

India EB-2 Retrogression Signals Increasing Backlogs

The June 2026 Visa Bulletin brought another major setback for Indian professionals waiting in the EB-2 category. After months of slow movement, the category retrogressed sharply, reflecting growing pressure on employment-based visa numbers and a rising backlog of pending cases.

Immigration analysts say the rollback is a sign that visa demand has outpaced the government’s remaining allocation for FY 2026. For many applicants, this means longer waits, delayed green card approvals, and continued dependence on temporary work visas.

Latest EB-2 India Cutoff Date Changes

The June 2026 bulletin showed one of the largest backward movements this fiscal year for EB-2 India.

EB-2 India Final Action Date:

• May 2026: July 15, 2014

• June 2026: September 1, 2013

That marks a retrogression of more than:

• 10 months

What This Means:

• Applicants with priority dates after September 1, 2013 are no longer current

• Some pending green card approvals may pause

• New adjustment filings became more limited in June 2026

Visa Number Exhaustion Concerns

The sharp EB-2 India rollback is closely tied to concerns about employment-based visa numbers running out before the end of FY 2026.

Main Reasons:

• Extremely high demand from Indian applicants

• Heavy usage of visa numbers earlier in the year

• Annual employment-based green card caps

• Limited spillover visa availability

The U.S. Department of State warned that further retrogression or temporary unavailability could happen if demand continues rising during summer 2026.

Important Point:

Retrogression is often used as a control mechanism to prevent annual visa quotas from being exceeded.

How Pending I-485 Cases Affect Movement

One major factor influencing EB-2 movement is the large inventory of pending Form I-485 adjustment applications already waiting with USCIS.

Why Pending Cases Matter:

• USCIS must reserve visa numbers for already-filed applicants

• High pending inventory slows forward movement

• More approvals reduce future visa availability

Result:

Even if new visa numbers become available later, the government may prioritize older pending cases before advancing cutoff dates again.

This is one reason why EB-2 India continues facing long-term backlog pressure.

Comparison With Previous Visa Bulletins

The June 2026 bulletin represents a major shift compared to earlier months in FY 2026.

Recent EB-2 India Trend:

• Early FY 2026 showed gradual forward movement

• Spring 2026 brought slower advancement

• June 2026 introduced sharp retrogression

Bigger Pattern:

The category has become increasingly unstable due to fluctuating visa demand and limited remaining numbers.

Compared to previous years, the government appears more cautious about allowing aggressive forward movement late in the fiscal year.

Predictions for the Rest of Fiscal Year 2026

Most immigration experts expect EB-2 India to remain heavily backlogged through the remainder of FY 2026.

Possible Scenarios:

• Minimal forward movement during summer 2026

• Additional retrogression if demand spikes further

• Stabilization after the new fiscal year begins in October 2026

What Applicants Should Expect:

• Longer processing timelines

• Continued dependence on H-1B extensions

• Slow and unpredictable Visa Bulletin movement

While some recovery may happen in FY 2027, current demand levels suggest EB-2 India will likely remain one of the most oversubscribed employment-based categories for the foreseeable future.

EB-3, EB-4, and Other Employment-Based Categories Update

While EB-1 and EB-2 India faced the biggest setbacks in June 2026, other employment-based categories showed a mix of modest progress, stability, and continued backlog pressure. The latest bulletin reflects how the U.S. immigration system is carefully managing limited visa numbers across multiple categories.

Some applicants still saw small forward movement, but overall advancement remained cautious as FY 2026 moved closer to its annual visa limits.

EB-3 India and China Movement

The EB-3 category showed limited but positive movement for both India and China in June 2026.

EB-3 India:

• Advanced from November 15, 2013 → December 15, 2013

• Forward movement of about 1 month

EB-3 China:

• Advanced from June 15, 2021 → August 1, 2021

• Forward movement of roughly 6 weeks

Key Takeaway:

Although movement continues, EB-3 categories remain heavily backlogged, especially for India.

Worldwide EB-2 and EB-3 Trends

For applicants outside India and China, employment-based categories remained relatively stable.

June 2026 Trends:

• EB-2 Worldwide remained Current

• EB-3 Worldwide stayed at June 1, 2024

• Demand levels continued increasing globally

What This Suggests:

The government is trying to balance visa usage carefully while avoiding sudden category shutdowns later in the fiscal year.

Most worldwide applicants still face shorter wait times compared to oversubscribed countries like India.

EB-4 and Religious Worker Category Updates

The EB-4 category continued facing major restrictions in June 2026.

Current Situation:

• EB-4 remained Unavailable for most countries

• Religious Worker programs continued under separate limitations

The State Department indicated that annual visa numbers for EB-4 had already been fully used for FY 2026.

Impact:

• No new EB-4 green cards can be issued until the new fiscal year begins in October 2026

• Applicants may experience additional processing delays

Categories Remaining Current in June 2026

Despite rising demand, several employment-based categories remained current for many countries.

Categories Still Current:

• EB-1 Worldwide

• EB-2 Worldwide

• Certain EB-5 Set-Aside categories

• Some employment-based categories outside India and China

Why This Matters:

Applicants in current categories can generally:

• File adjustment applications faster

• Receive approvals without major backlog delays

• Avoid long retrogression-related waiting periods

However, immigration experts warn that continued demand growth could eventually place additional pressure on even currently stable categories later in FY 2026.

Why Employment-Based Visa Numbers Are Under Pressure

The June 2026 Visa Bulletin reflects a growing imbalance between green card demand and the limited number of employment-based visas available each year. Rising application volumes, large pending case inventories, and strict annual caps are all contributing to slower movement and retrogression across key categories.

Annual Green Card Limits Explained

U.S. immigration law places yearly limits on employment-based green cards.

Current Annual Allocation:

• Around 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas are available each fiscal year

• These numbers are shared across all employment categories and countries 

Why It Matters:

When demand exceeds available visas, cutoff dates move slower or retrogress.

Country Caps and Per-Country Quotas

No single country can receive more than approximately:

• 7% of total employment-based visas annually

This affects countries with high demand, especially India and China.

Result:

• Indian applicants face significantly longer waits

• Oversubscribed categories experience recurring retrogression

• Even EB-1 categories are now under pressure

Increased Demand From Adjustment Applicants

USCIS has seen a major increase in employment-based adjustment of status filings in recent years.

Main Drivers:

• More H-1B workers applying for green cards

• Increased employer sponsorships

• Applicants upgrading from EB-2/EB-3 to EB-1

According to the June 2026 bulletin, demand levels for India EB-1 and EB-2 rose faster than expected during FY 2026.

USCIS Processing Trends and Inventory Growth

Another major issue is the growing number of pending Form I-485 applications already waiting for approval.

Current Impact:

• USCIS must reserve visa numbers for pending cases

• Large inventories reduce future visa availability

• New filings become harder to accommodate

This backlog pressure is one reason USCIS required applicants to use Final Action Dates in June 2026 instead of the more flexible Filing Dates chart.

End-of-Fiscal-Year Visa Number Management

The U.S. fiscal year ends on:

• September 30, 2026

As the fiscal year approaches its end, the government often slows category movement to avoid exceeding annual visa quotas.

Common End-of-Year Actions:

• Retrogression of cutoff dates

• Temporary category unavailability

• Stricter filing eligibility rules

The U.S. Department of State has already warned that additional retrogression could happen in some employment-based categories before FY 2026 closes.

What the June 2026 Visa Bulletin Means for Green Card Applicants

The June 2026 Visa Bulletin is more than just a monthly immigration update — it directly affects how long applicants may wait for permanent residency, work authorization, and future immigration benefits. The sharp retrogression in India EB-1 and EB-2 categories has created fresh uncertainty for thousands of skilled workers and their families.

For many applicants already stuck in long green card backlogs, the latest changes could mean additional years of waiting.

Impact on H-1B Visa Holders

H-1B professionals are among the most affected by the June 2026 retrogression.

Major Concerns:

• Longer green card wait times

• More dependence on H-1B extensions

• Delayed career flexibility

• Increased uncertainty during job changes

Many Indian professionals who expected faster movement through EB-1 or EB-2 may now remain on temporary work visas much longer than anticipated.

Delays for Adjustment of Status Applicants

Because USCIS is using Final Action Dates for June 2026 employment-based filings, many applicants can no longer submit Form I-485 adjustment applications.

Immediate Effects:

• Delayed green card processing

• Slower approval timelines

• Loss of filing eligibility for some applicants

• Pending cases may remain stuck longer

Applicants whose priority dates are no longer current must wait until the Visa Bulletin advances again.

Travel and Work Authorization Concerns

Many applicants rely on pending I-485 applications to obtain:

• Employment Authorization Documents (EAD)

• Advance Parole travel permits

Why This Matters:

Without adjustment filings:

• Some applicants must continue relying entirely on H-1B status

• International travel planning becomes more complicated

• Work flexibility may remain limited

Longer delays can also create stress around visa renewals and international mobility.

Effects on Dependents and Families

Retrogression affects not only primary applicants but also their spouses and children.

Common Family Concerns:

• Delays for dependent green cards

• Longer uncertainty for children nearing age limits

• Continued reliance on H-4 visas

• Delayed work authorization for spouses

For many families, long backlogs make future education, relocation, and financial planning more difficult.

Employer Sponsorship Planning Challenges

The June 2026 bulletin also creates complications for U.S. employers sponsoring foreign workers.

Employer Challenges:

• Longer retention timelines

• Increased immigration costs

• More H-1B extension filings

• Delays in long-term workforce planning

Industries heavily dependent on skilled international workers, especially technology, healthcare, and engineering, may continue facing immigration-related staffing uncertainty as backlogs grow.

Expert Analysis and Future Predictions

Immigration experts believe the June 2026 Visa Bulletin may not be the final setback for employment-based applicants this fiscal year. With visa demand continuing to rise and annual limits nearing exhaustion, analysts expect additional pressure on India EB categories over the next few months.

The U.S. Department of State has already warned that some categories could become temporarily “unavailable” if current demand levels continue through the end of FY 2026.

Will Retrogression Continue in FY 2026?

Most experts expect further retrogression before:

• September 30, 2026 (end of the fiscal year)

Categories Under Highest Pressure:

• EB-1 India

• EB-2 India

According to immigration analysts, continued high demand may force the government to restrict visa issuance even more aggressively during summer 2026.

Important Warning:

The State Department has indicated some categories could temporarily become:

• “Unavailable”

if annual visa numbers are fully exhausted before the fiscal year ends.

Possible Movement in Upcoming Visa Bulletins

Experts expect additional volatility in the next few Visa Bulletins.

Predicted Timeline:

• July–August 2026: Possible further retrogression for EB-1 and EB-2 India

• October 2026: Potential forward movement after new FY 2027 visa numbers become available

Why October Matters:

Every new fiscal year brings a fresh allocation of employment-based immigrant visas, which often allows cutoff dates to recover temporarily.

Chances of Further Slowdowns for India Categories

Analysts believe the risk of additional slowdowns remains high.

Current Predictions:

• EB-1 India could move back into mid-2022

• EB-2 India may retrogress into 2012

• EB-3 India could continue seeing small forward movement

Strategic Trend:

Because EB-3 India is moving slightly better than EB-2 India, some applicants may again consider:

• EB-2 to EB-3 downgrading strategies depending on eligibility and employer support.

What Immigration Experts Are Watching Closely

Immigration attorneys and analysts are monitoring several key factors that could affect future Visa Bulletin movement.

Main Areas of Focus:

• Visa usage trends across employment categories

• Spillover visa availability from unused categories

• Effects of Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998

Congressional discussions involving:

• EB-4 religious worker programs

• Visa recapture legislation

Experts say these factors could influence how aggressively cutoff dates move or retrogress during the remainder of FY 2026.

The information on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Always consult a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative before making any immigration decisions.

Last Updated: [01 June 2026] — This article reflects information available as of [01 June 2026]. Policies may have changed. Check USCIS.gov for the most current guidance."