May 2026 Visa Bulletin Retrogression: What EB-3 Applicants Must Know

The May 2026 Visa Bulletin has been released by the U.S. Department of State, and Murthy Law Firm has published its analysis for employment-based immigration applicants. The bulletin determines which applicants are eligible to move forward with their green card process based on their priority dates and country of birth. For EB-3 applicants, the May 2026 bulletin's priority date movements are a critical indicator of how quickly the backlog is being cleared. Retrogression — when dates move backward — can significantly delay an applicant's ability to file for adjustment of status or receive an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate. Applicants from high-demand countries such as India and China face the longest waits in the EB-3 category due to per-country caps. Even small movements in the priority dates can represent years of additional waiting for nationals of these countries. EB-3 applicants are advised to review both the "Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing" charts in the May 2026 bulletin to determine their eligibility.