Visa Bulletin July 2026 Released: Family-Based Categories Move Forward, EB-3 Filing Rules Updated

The State Department has officially released the July 2026 Visa Bulletin, bringing movement in family-based preference categories. This monthly bulletin is a critical document for immigration applicants as it determines when they can take the next step toward a green card based on their priority date. For family-based applicants, USCIS has confirmed they may continue using the more favorable Dates of Filing (also known as the Chargeability chart) to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status. This allows qualifying applicants to file I-485 petitions earlier than the Final Action Date would otherwise permit. Employment-based applicants, including those in the EB-3 category, face a different rule this month. USCIS has directed that employment-based categories must use the Final Action Dates chart, meaning only applicants whose priority dates are current under that stricter cutoff may file for adjustment of status. For EB-3 applicants specifically, tracking monthly bulletin changes is essential to planning next steps. Movement in final action dates — or the ability to file under the Dates of Filing chart — can directly impact when an applicant can submit their I-485, obtain work authorization, and advance travel privileges. Applicants are encouraged to compare their priority date against both the Final Action Dates and Dates of Filing charts in the July 2026 bulletin and consult with an immigration attorney to determine their eligibility to file this month.