EB-3 Visa Bulletin July 2026 Major Jump: I-485 Filing Now Open for August 2024

The U.S. Department of State has released the July 2026 Visa Bulletin, and USCIS has confirmed it will follow the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based adjustment of status filings this month. This is an important distinction for applicants, as it means only those whose priority dates fall before the listed cutoffs may file or receive approval on their I-485 applications. EB-3 applicants in most countries can celebrate a meaningful two-month advancement, with the All Chargeability cutoff now set to August 1, 2024. China-born EB-3 applicants see the biggest gain this month, with the cutoff jumping nearly five months to December 22, 2021. India EB-3 inches forward two weeks to January 1, 2014, and the Philippines EB-3 cutoff holds steady at August 1, 2023. In the EB-1 category, India faces a two-month retrogression to October 15, 2022 — a setback for Indian nationals in that preference category. China EB-1 improves by two months to June 1, 2023, while all other chargeability areas remain current for EB-1. A significant development for EB-2 is that India's annual visa number limit has been reached, rendering the India EB-2 category 'unavailable' for the remainder of fiscal year 2026. No new visa number requests for India EB-2 will be honored until the next fiscal year begins in October 2026. China EB-2 holds at September 1, 2021, while all other countries remain current. For EB-3 applicants, July 2026 brings positive momentum — particularly for China-born workers. Those with priority dates now falling before the new cutoffs should work with their immigration attorneys promptly to prepare and file I-485 applications while the window is open.