June 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Tăng Tốc & Family-Based Categories Surge Forward

The State Department has officially released the June 2026 Visa Bulletin, bringing significant changes across multiple employment-based and family-based immigration categories. The bulletin is closely watched by applicants and practitioners alike, as it determines which priority dates are currently eligible for visa issuance or adjustment of status filing. One of the most notable developments in the June bulletin is the retrogression of India EB-1. The final action date moved backward from April 1, 2023 (May 2026) to December 15, 2022 (June 2026), representing a setback of more than three months for Indian nationals in the first preference employment-based category. This retrogression signals continued high demand among Indian EB-1 applicants relative to the available visa supply. On a more positive note, family-based preference categories showed strong forward movement in the June bulletin. This surge benefits applicants in the family-sponsored visa pipeline who have been waiting for their priority dates to become current, potentially allowing them to file for adjustment of status or proceed with immigrant visa processing at U.S. consulates abroad. For EB-3 applicants — including skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers — the June bulletin's implications will depend on which chart USCIS elects to use. As of publication, USCIS has not yet announced whether it will accept filings based on the Dates for Filing (earlier dates) or the Final Action Dates chart. Applicants should monitor the USCIS website closely for this announcement, which typically comes within days of the bulletin's release. Immigration attorneys advise that applicants review both charts carefully and consult with legal counsel before submitting any adjustment of status applications. Missing the filing window or submitting under the wrong chart can have significant consequences for an applicant's immigration timeline.