EB-2 India Unavailable 2026 – Visa Category Hits Annual Quota, No Green Cards Until October

The EB-2 India visa category is fully unavailable through September 2026 after reaching its annual FY2026 limit

Washington, D.C., May 27, 2026 — In a significant development for Indian professionals seeking U.S. permanent residency, the U.S. Department of State has announced that the EB-2 India immigrant visa category has reached its annual limit for Fiscal Year 2026 and is now completely unavailable.

This means that from today until September 30, 2026, no new EB-2 India immigrant visas can be issued by U.S. embassies or consulates, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) cannot approve any adjustment of status (green card) applications in this category.

What This Means for Applicants

• No New Approvals: USCIS will continue to accept properly filed EB-2 India adjustment of status cases that are current in the May 2026 Visa Bulletin, but no approvals will be issued until the new fiscal year begins.

• Visa Bulletin Impact: The EB-2 India category will show as “unavailable” in the upcoming June 2026 Visa Bulletin and will remain so for the rest of the fiscal year.

• Reset Date: The annual immigrant visa limits will reset on October 1, 2026, when Fiscal Year 2027 begins. At that point, processing and approvals are expected to resume.

Why This Happened

The EB-2 category (Advanced Degree/Exceptional Ability) for India has faced chronic backlogs for years due to high demand and per-country visa limits. Despite recent policy adjustments, demand continues to outpace the limited number of visas allocated annually. The State Department had warned in recent Visa Bulletins that several employment-based categories, particularly EB-2 and EB-3 for India and China, were at risk of hitting their annual caps early.

Impact on Indian Professionals

This development affects thousands of Indian nationals currently in the U.S. on H-1B, L-1, or other temporary visas who were planning to adjust status this year. Many will now face extended waits, impacting career planning, family stability, and long-term settlement decisions.

Key Affected Groups:

• STEM professionals with advanced degrees

• Managers and executives in multinational companies

• Researchers and academics

• Healthcare and IT specialists

What Applicants Should Do Now

1. File Before Cutoff: If your priority date is current, file your adjustment of status (I-485) as soon as possible to secure your place in the queue.

2. Maintain Status: Ensure you maintain valid nonimmigrant status (H-1B, etc.) while waiting.

3. Monitor Visa Bulletin: Watch monthly updates from the Department of State.

4. Look Beyond the Basics – Check if You Qualify for Other Visa Routes Like EB-1, NIW & More.

Broader Context

This quota exhaustion highlights the ongoing challenges in the U.S. employment-based immigration system, particularly for high-demand countries like India. With record numbers of Indian professionals contributing to the American economy in tech, healthcare, and research, many experts are calling for legislative reforms to increase visa numbers and reduce backlogs.

For the latest EB-2 India Visa Bulletin updates, adjustment of status strategies, priority date predictions, and complete 2026 U.S. immigration guidance, visit: visasupdate.com/blog/categories/usa