Visa Bulletin June 2026 Update: EB-3 Applicants Must Leave US to File – New Trump Policy

The U.S. Department of State has released the June 2026 Visa Bulletin, providing updated cutoff dates for all employment-based immigrant visa categories including EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5. These monthly updates are critical for applicants tracking when they can file for adjustment of status or proceed with consular processing abroad. The June 2026 bulletin arrives amid significant policy shifts under the current administration. USCIS announced the termination of in-country visa category transfers effective May 22, 2026, meaning applicants who previously changed visa categories while inside the United States may now be required to depart and process their applications through a U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country. For EB-3 applicants specifically, the new policy landscape presents a critical decision point: those currently in the U.S. on nonimmigrant status must weigh the risks of consular processing abroad versus attempting to complete their adjustment of status before rule enforcement tightens. Applicants with approved I-140 petitions should consult with an immigration attorney immediately to assess their options under the June 2026 cutoff dates. The bulletin's updated priority dates determine which applicants are eligible to move forward based on their country of chargeability and the date their labor certification or I-140 was filed. High-demand countries such as India and China continue to face the longest backlogs in the EB-3 skilled worker and professional subcategories. Applicants are advised to review the June 2026 Visa Bulletin on the State Department's official website, cross-reference their priority date, and monitor USCIS's Dates for Filing chart to determine if they can submit Form I-485 this month.