Visa Bulletin July 2026: Employment-Based Final Action Dates Chart Required

The State Department has officially released the July 2026 Visa Bulletin, providing updated priority date cutoffs for all immigrant visa categories. USCIS has confirmed the charts to be used for the upcoming month, with important distinctions between family-based and employment-based applicants. For employment-based applicants, USCIS has directed that the Final Action Dates chart must be used to determine eligibility for adjustment of status. This means applicants' priority dates must be earlier than the listed cutoff dates before they can file Form I-485. Family-based applicants, however, retain the ability to use the more permissive Dates of Filing chart, which generally allows earlier filing. The bulletin includes updates to employment-based preference categories including EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3. Changes to the cutoff dates reflect the ongoing management of the immigrant visa queue by the State Department, balancing annual numerical limits with global demand across all chargeability areas. EB-3 applicants — including skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers — should carefully review their specific country of chargeability against the updated Final Action Dates to determine whether their priority date is current. Applicants from high-demand countries such as India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines are typically most affected by monthly movements. Applicants are encouraged to consult with their immigration attorneys and monitor USCIS.gov for any additional guidance on using the July 2026 Visa Bulletin charts for adjustment of status or consular processing purposes.