Visa Bulletin July 2026: EB-3 Advances While EB-2 India Remains Unavailable

The Department of State's July 2026 Visa Bulletin delivers a mixed outcome for employment-based immigrants, with notable advancement in EB-3 categories offset by significant restrictions for India-born applicants. The most consequential development is the complete exhaustion of EB-2 India visa numbers, meaning no new approvals can be issued in that category until the fiscal year resets on October 1, 2026. For EB-3 applicants, the bulletin brings positive news. India's EB-3 cutoff advances to January 1, 2014, while China's EB-3 moves forward more than four months to December 22, 2021. The worldwide EB-3 category also advances to August 1, 2024, offering broader relief for applicants from less-backlogged countries. However, India's EB-1 category retrogresses approximately two months to October 15, 2022, reversing recent gains for priority workers from India. China sees more favorable movement overall, with EB-1 advancing to June 1, 2023 and EB-3 posting its four-month-plus gain. EB-2 China remains unchanged. USCIS has confirmed that adjustment of status applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart—not the Dates for Filing chart—for July submissions, an important procedural detail for pending cases. In related immigration news, India has overhauled its own immigration framework under the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025, introducing stricter FRRO registration deadlines (registration must now be completed before the 180-day mark, not after), revised employment visa classifications, and new child citizenship reporting requirements. These changes primarily affect foreign nationals working or residing in India but carry compliance implications for multinational employers managing Indian-origin employees on assignment. Separately, a Senate resolution to overturn a DOJ rule streamlining immigration appeals was defeated, allowing the Board of Immigration Appeals to continue fast-tracking cases that lack novel legal issues. Supporters argue this will help reduce the substantial backlog in immigration courts, potentially improving processing timelines for pending cases across all employment-based categories.