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. Working with an immigration attorney to track these changes and prepare filing documents in advance is recommended.