May 2026 Visa Bulletin: Indian Nationals Hit Hard as EB-2 & EB-3 Backlogs Persist

The May 2026 US Visa Bulletin continues to reflect persistent and severe employment-based green card backlogs for Indian nationals, particularly in the EB-2 and EB-3 preference categories. Indian-born applicants face priority dates that lag years behind other nationalities due to the per-country annual cap limitations under current US immigration law. A critical concern highlighted is the impact on travel. Indian nationals with pending adjustment of status applications face significant restrictions on international travel, as leaving the US without advance parole can result in abandonment of their pending green card applications. With backlogs stretching many years, this effectively traps a large population of skilled workers and professionals. For EB-3 applicants specifically, the backlog situation means that even those who filed labor certification (PERM) applications years ago remain in limbo. The Visa Bulletin's final action dates and dates for filing serve as the primary indicators of when applicants can expect forward movement in their cases. Applicants are advised to work closely with immigration attorneys to monitor monthly Visa Bulletin updates, maintain valid nonimmigrant status while waiting, and ensure advance parole documents are secured before any international travel. Checking the May 2026 bulletin dates against one's priority date is an immediate action item.