Visa Bulletin Retrogression 2026: What Happens to Your I-485 After Filing?

Filing an I-485 adjustment of status application is a major milestone for employment-based immigrants, including EB-3 applicants. However, the visa bulletin can retrogress after filing, leaving many applicants uncertain about the fate of their pending application. The good news is that a visa bulletin retrogression after a properly filed I-485 does not cause the application to be rejected or denied. When USCIS accepts an I-485 for filing, it locks in that filing date. The application simply remains pending in USCIS's queue until the applicant's priority date becomes current again in a future visa bulletin. During this waiting period, applicants with a pending I-485 retain significant benefits. They may apply for or renew Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) and Advance Parole (AP) travel documents, allowing them to work legally and travel internationally while their green card case is pending — regardless of retrogression. For EB-3 Vietnam applicants monitoring the 2026 Visa Bulletin, understanding retrogression is particularly important as dates can move forward and backward month to month. USCIS uses both the Final Action Dates chart and the Dates for Filing chart, and the ability to file under the Dates for Filing chart (when authorized) is what makes it possible to submit an I-485 before your priority date is technically current under Final Action Dates. Applicants are advised to maintain their status carefully, respond promptly to any Requests for Evidence (RFEs), and work with their immigration attorney to monitor monthly visa bulletin updates. Once the Final Action Date advances past your priority date again, USCIS can proceed to adjudicate and approve the I-485.