June 2026 Visa Bulletin Alert: EB-1/EB-2 India Retrogression & EB-3 Priority Date Changes

The June 2026 Visa Bulletin delivers mixed news for India-born employment-based applicants. The Department of State (DOS) pulled EB-1 India back 3.5 months to a final action date of December 15, 2022, and EB-2 India back a significant 10.5 months to September 1, 2013. By contrast, EB-3 India saw a modest forward movement of one month, now sitting at December 15, 2013. While the retrogression itself is notable, analysts highlight that Section E of the bulletin contains the more consequential development. DOS issued an explicit warning that further retrogressions — or outright suspension of certain preference categories — may be necessary before the fiscal year ends in September 2026. This kind of forward-looking caution from DOS is rare and signals that visa number demand is significantly outpacing supply in the India employment-based queue. For EB-3 applicants from India, the one-month forward movement offers limited relief given the decade-long backlogs in the category. The divergence between EB-3's slight advance and EB-2's sharp retrogression may prompt some applicants to reconsider downgrade strategies, though the benefit calculus depends heavily on individual priority dates. Applicants and attorneys should monitor the July 2026 Visa Bulletin closely, as DOS's warning suggests the situation could deteriorate further. Those with cases pending at the National Visa Center or USCIS should confirm their place in the queue and prepare for potential delays in interview scheduling or final action.