Visa Bulletin June 2026: EB3 Priority Dates Retrogress as India's Green Card Line Gets Longer

The U.S. Department of State has released the June 2026 Visa Bulletin, and the news is particularly difficult for Indian nationals in employment-based preference categories. The bulletin shows notable retrogression across multiple EB categories, with India's green card backlog continuing to grow despite longstanding legislative efforts to address per-country limits. For EB-3 applicants from India, the priority date movement in June 2026 represents a further delay in an already decade-long wait. The retrogression affects both skilled workers (EB-3) and professionals, pushing cutoff dates further back and effectively freezing advancement for a significant portion of the applicant pool. This development is especially impactful for those who have been waiting years in the queue and anticipated forward movement. The EB-2 category for India also experienced unfavorable changes, compounding frustrations among high-skilled immigrants who have contributed significantly to the U.S. workforce. The per-country cap system, which limits any single country to no more than 7% of annual green card issuances, continues to be the structural driver of these prolonged backlogs. Applicants are advised to review the June 2026 Visa Bulletin closely and consult with their immigration attorneys to assess whether their priority date remains current for filing or final action purposes. Those with pending I-485 applications should verify their eligibility to continue accruing benefits such as employment authorization and advance parole. This bulletin underscores the ongoing need for comprehensive immigration reform targeting employment-based backlogs. Until legislative changes are enacted, EB-3 applicants from high-demand countries like India should plan for extended timelines and stay updated on monthly bulletin announcements.