QueueCheckofficial waits, shared datesWritten and checked by the QueueCheck editorial team. Last checked August 22, 2026. How we verify information
QueueCheck verified the July 2026 Visa Bulletin transcription on August 22, 2026. USCIS's filing-chart selection was checked separately on August 16, 2026.
USCIS selected Dates for Filing for family-sponsored adjustment filings and Final Action Dates for employment-based filings.
EB-1 India's Final Action Date is 15OCT22, compared with 15DEC22 in June 2026.
EB-2 India's Final Action Date is Unavailable, compared with 01SEP13 in June 2026.
EB-3 India's Final Action Date is 01JAN14, compared with 15DEC13 in June 2026.
In July 2026, family-sponsored dates moved broadly forward, while most employment-based dates stayed where June 2026 left them. A smaller number of cut-offs moved backward.
A visa number can be authorized only when the priority date is earlier than the cut-off for the category and chargeability area.
| Category | All other chargeability areas | China (mainland born) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1: unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens | 01FEB18 | 01FEB18 | 01FEB18 | 08NOV07 | 01MAY13 |
| F2A: spouses and children of permanent residents | 01JAN25 | 01JAN25 | 01JAN25 | 01JAN24 | 01JAN25 |
| F2B: unmarried adult children of permanent residents | 22NOV17 | 22NOV17 | 22NOV17 | 15FEB09 | 15MAY13 |
| F3: married children of U.S. citizens | 15APR12 | 15APR12 | 15APR12 | 01JUN01 | 22FEB06 |
| F4: siblings of adult U.S. citizens | 01JAN09 | 01JAN09 | 01NOV06 | 08APR01 | 01AUG07 |
| Category | All other chargeability areas | China (mainland born) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1: priority workers | C | 01JUN23 | 15OCT22 | C | C |
| EB-2: advanced degrees and exceptional ability | C | 01SEP21 | U | C | C |
| EB-3: skilled workers and professionals | 01AUG24 | 22DEC21 | 01JAN14 | 01AUG24 | 01AUG23 |
| EB-3: other workers | 01MAR22 | 01APR19 | 01JAN14 | 01MAR22 | 01DEC21 |
| EB-4: special immigrants | 15SEP22 | 15SEP22 | 15SEP22 | 15SEP22 | 15SEP22 |
| EB-4: certain religious workers | 15SEP22 | 15SEP22 | 15SEP22 | 15SEP22 | 15SEP22 |
| EB-5: unreserved investor visas | C | 01DEC16 | U | C | C |
| EB-5 set-aside: rural (20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 set-aside: high unemployment (10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 set-aside: infrastructure (2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
These dates control document submission and adjustment filing only when USCIS designates this chart for the relevant preference type.
| Category | All other chargeability areas | China (mainland born) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1: unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens | 01JAN19 | 01JAN19 | 01JAN19 | 01OCT08 | 22APR15 |
| F2A: spouses and children of permanent residents | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B: unmarried adult children of permanent residents | 08JUN18 | 08JUN18 | 08JUN18 | 15MAY10 | 01OCT13 |
| F3: married children of U.S. citizens | 08DEC12 | 08DEC12 | 08DEC12 | 15JUL01 | 08AUG06 |
| F4: siblings of adult U.S. citizens | 01MAR10 | 01MAR10 | 15DEC06 | 30APR01 | 22MAR08 |
| Category | All other chargeability areas | China (mainland born) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1: priority workers | C | 01DEC23 | 01DEC23 | C | C |
| EB-2: advanced degrees and exceptional ability | C | 01JAN22 | 15JAN15 | C | C |
| EB-3: skilled workers and professionals | C | 01JAN22 | 15JAN15 | C | 01JAN24 |
| EB-3: other workers | 01AUG22 | 01OCT19 | 15JAN15 | 01AUG22 | 01AUG22 |
| EB-4: special immigrants | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| EB-4: certain religious workers | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| EB-5: unreserved investor visas | C | 01MAR17 | 01MAY24 | C | C |
| EB-5 set-aside: rural (20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 set-aside: high unemployment (10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 set-aside: infrastructure (2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
Unchanged rows are omitted. Matching country movements are grouped so advances, retrogressions, Current and Unavailable changes remain easy to scan.
These are regional lottery rank numbers, not dates. A selectee can be processed when their rank number is below the cut-off shown for their region, which is the reverse of how the preference charts above work. Where a country is listed separately, its lower number replaces the regional one for applicants charged to it.
| Region | Rank cut-off | Countries listed separately |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 55,000 | Algeria 40,000, Egypt 31,000 |
| Asia | 35,000 | Nepal 13,000 |
| Europe | 23,000 | None |
| North America (Bahamas) | 50 | None |
| Oceania | 1,700 | None |
| South America and the Caribbean | 3,300 | None |
Published a month ahead in this bulletin so selectees can plan. It is the Department's own figure, not a forecast.
| Region | Rank cut-off | Countries listed separately |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 60,000 | Algeria 51,250, Egypt 36,000 |
| Asia | 40,000 | Nepal 13,500 |
| Europe | 29,000 | None |
| North America (Bahamas) | Current | None |
| Oceania | 2,050 | None |
| South America and the Caribbean | 4,000 | None |
Quoted from the published document, with the Department's own section letters. Nothing here is paraphrased or shortened.
For July, F2A numbers EXEMPT from per-country limit are authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than 01JAN24. F2A numbers SUBJECT to per-country limit are authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO, with priority dates beginning 01JAN24 and earlier than 01JAN25. All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit.
Immigrant visa issuance rates for aliens from certain countries have decreased in light of various actions the administration has taken to protect national security and public safety, and to otherwise advance the interests of the United States (e.g. Presidential Proclamation 10949, Presidential Proclamation 10998, Immigrant Visa Processing Updates). Consequently, to make visas available in accordance with sections 201-203 of the INA to sufficient prospective immigrants from other countries to use immigrant visa numbers that are available in FY 2026, dates for filing and final action dates had been advanced across various immigrant visa categories in prior months. Note that as additional immigrant visa demand materializes, or administration actions are amended, retrogression may be necessary in the upcoming months to keep issuances within annual limits. Visa categories may become “Unavailable” prior to the end of the fiscal year if annual limits, category limits, or pro-rated per-country limits are reached. This situation is being continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.
High demand and number use by aliens chargeable to India in the EB-1 visa category made it necessary to retrogress the final action date to hold number use within the FY 2026 annual limit. Further retrogression or making the category unavailable may be necessary in the coming months if India’s pro-rated limit in the EB-1 category is reached before the fiscal year ends. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.
Due to high demand and number use by aliens chargeable to India in the EB-2 visa category, India’s pro-rated EB-2 limit was reached and the category is unavailable for the remainder of FY 2026. It is likely that in October the final action date will advance to at least the final action date announced in the May 2026 Visa Bulletin; however, the date is dependent on the demand for EB-2 numbers by Indian applicants and the FY 2027 annual limit on employment-based preference visas.
Sufficient demand and increased number use by aliens chargeable to China in the EB-2 visa category may make it necessary to retrogress the final action date or make the category unavailable in the coming months to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the FY 2026 annual limit. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.
Sufficient demand and increased number use by alien chargeable to Philippines in the EB-3 visa category may make it necessary to retrogress the final action date or make the category unavailable in the coming months to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the FY 2026 annual limit. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.
Due to high demand and number use by aliens chargeable to India in the EB-5 unreserved visa category, India’s pro-rated EB-5 unreserved limit was reached and the category is unavailable for the remainder of FY 2026. It is likely that in October the final action date will advance to at least the final action date announced in the June 2026 Visa Bulletin; however, the date is dependent on the demand for EB-5 unreserved numbers by Indian applicants and the FY 2027 annual limit on employment-based preference visas.
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