US Visa Bulletin August 2026: China EB-3 Advances, India EB-2 & EB-5 Remain Unavailable
Updated: Jul 26
WASHINGTON D.C. — July 22, 2026 — The U.S. State Department has released the August 2026 Visa Bulletin, with most employment-based categories showing minimal or no advancement. China EB-3 advances by 10 days, while India EB-2 and EB-5 remain marked as "unavailable" for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that filings for employment-based visa preference categories must use the Final Action Dates chart in the August Bulletin.
Quick Facts: August 2026 Visa Bulletin
Feature | Details |
USCIS Filing Chart | Final Action Dates (for employment-based categories) |
EB-1 India | Cutoff: Oct 15, 2022 (unchanged) |
EB-1 China | Cutoff: July 1, 2023 (+1 month) |
EB-2 India | Unavailable (U) |
EB-2 China | Cutoff: Sept 1, 2021 (unchanged) |
EB-3 China | Cutoff: Jan 1, 2022 (+10 days) |
EB-5 India | Unavailable (U) |
Rest of World | Current (for most categories) |
Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Visas (August 2026)
Preference Category | All Other Countries | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
EB-1 | Current | July 1, 2023 | Oct 15, 2022 | Current | Current |
EB-2 | Current | Sept 1, 2021 | U | Current | Current |
EB-3 | Sept 1, 2024 | Jan 1, 2022 | Jan 1, 2014 | Sept 1, 2024 | Aug 1, 2023 |
EB-5 (Unreserved) | Current | Dec 1, 2016 | U | Current | Current |
Note: "U" means unauthorized — numbers are not authorized for issuance.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
EB-1 (Priority Workers)
Country | August 2026 Cutoff | Movement |
China | July 1, 2023 | +1 month |
India | October 15, 2022 | Unchanged |
All Other Countries | Current | No change |
India EB-1 Warning: The State Department cautions that "due to high demand and usage by individuals from India in the EB-1 visa category, it may be necessary to make this category unavailable in the upcoming weeks" if India's allocated limit is reached before the end of the fiscal year.
EB-2 (Advanced Degrees / Exceptional Ability)
Country | August 2026 Cutoff | Movement |
China | September 1, 2021 | Unchanged |
India | U (Unavailable) | Remains unavailable |
All Other Countries | Current | No change |
India EB-2 Warning: The August Bulletin cautions that "due to sufficient demand and increased usage in the EB-2 visa category, it might be necessary to retrogress the final action date or render the category unavailable in the upcoming months" to keep usage within the FY 2026 annual limit.
EB-3 (Professionals and Skilled Workers)
Country | August 2026 Cutoff | Movement |
China | January 1, 2022 | +10 days |
India | January 1, 2014 | Unchanged |
Mexico | September 1, 2024 | +1 month |
Philippines | August 1, 2023 | Unchanged |
All Other Countries | September 1, 2024 | +1 month |
EB-5 (Investors – Unreserved)
Country | August 2026 Cutoff | Movement |
China | December 1, 2016 | Unchanged |
India | U (Unavailable) | Remains unavailable |
All Other Countries | Current | No change |
Note: The "set-aside" categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) remain current for all countries.
What This Means for Applicants
For Indian Applicants
Category | Status | Advice |
EB-2 | Unavailable | No visas available until October 1, 2026 (FY 2027) |
EB-5 | Unavailable | No visas available until October 1, 2026 |
EB-1 | Oct 15, 2022 | Monitor closely; may become unavailable in coming weeks |
EB-3 | Jan 1, 2014 | Slow but steady movement; priority dates before cutoff can file |
For Chinese Applicants
Category | Status | Advice |
EB-3 | Jan 1, 2022 (+10 days) | Slight forward movement; file if priority date is current |
EB-1 | July 1, 2023 (+1 month) | Modest advancement |
EB-2 | Sept 1, 2021 | Unchanged |
For All Other Applicants
Most categories remain current
File adjustment of status (I-485) as soon as possible if eligible
Practical Advice
Action | Why It Matters |
Check your priority date | Confirm if you are eligible to file |
File I-485 if current | Use Final Action Dates chart for August |
Monitor Visa Bulletin | Expect potential retrogression or unavailability for India EB-1 |
Consider downgrade to EB-3 | If eligible, EB-3 may be more available for some applicants |
Consult immigration counsel | For complex cases or strategic planning |
Related Articles
EB-1 Visa 2026: Complete Guide to Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researchers & Multinational Managers — A comprehensive guide to the EB-1 visa category, including eligibility, costs, processing times, and evidence checklists.
EB-2 Visa 2026: Complete Guide to Advanced Degree & Exceptional Ability Green Cards — Detailed information on the EB-2 visa category, including the National Interest Waiver (NIW) and the current backlog situation for India and China.
USCIS Reinstates 'Public-Charge' Test: Green Card Applicants Must Prove Self-Sufficiency from September 2026 — Coverage of the reinstated public-charge rule that may affect adjustment of status applicants.
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