Key Takeaway

EB-2 Final Action Dates remain CURRENT for all chargeability areas except China (Sep 1, 2021) and India (Jul 15, 2014). EB-1 is CURRENT for all countries. EB-3 is CURRENT for ROW and Mexico. USCIS is using the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based categories in May.

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Retrogression risk ahead: The State Department flagged that immigrant visa issuance rates have decreased due to travel restrictions and administration actions. Retrogression may be necessary later in FY2026 to keep issuances within annual limits. Monitor the monthly bulletin closely — especially if your priority date is recent.

USCIS Filing Chart for May 2026: The Dates for Filing chart applies to employment-based categories. This means you may file your I-485 even if your Final Action Date is not yet current — check the filing chart below. For family-sponsored categories, the Final Action Date chart applies. Verify at uscis.gov/visabulletininfo.

Employment-Based Preferences — Final Action Dates
Category All Chargeability Areas China
Mainland Born		 India Mexico Philippines
EB-1 Priority Workers CURRENT Apr 1, 2023 Apr 1, 2023 CURRENT CURRENT
EB-2 Advanced Degree / NIW CURRENT Sep 1, 2021 Jul 15, 2014 CURRENT CURRENT
EB-3 Skilled / Professional CURRENT Jun 15, 2021 Nov 15, 2013 CURRENT Aug 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers Feb 1, 2022 Feb 1, 2019 Nov 15, 2013 Feb 1, 2022 Nov 1, 2021
EB-4 Certain Religious Workers Jul 15, 2022 Jul 15, 2022 Jul 15, 2022 Jul 15, 2022 Jul 15, 2022
EB-5 Unreserved CURRENT Sep 22, 2016 May 1, 2022 CURRENT CURRENT
EB-5 Rural Set Aside (20%) CURRENT CURRENT CURRENT CURRENT CURRENT
EB-5 High Unemployment (10%) CURRENT CURRENT CURRENT CURRENT CURRENT
Category All Chargeability Areas China
Mainland Born		 India Mexico Philippines
EB-1 Priority Workers CURRENT Dec 1, 2023 Dec 1, 2023 CURRENT CURRENT
EB-2 Advanced Degree / NIW CURRENT Jan 1, 2022 Jan 15, 2015 CURRENT CURRENT
EB-3 Skilled / Professional CURRENT Jan 1, 2022 Jan 15, 2015 CURRENT Jan 1, 2024
EB-3 Other Workers Aug 1, 2022 Oct 1, 2019 Jan 15, 2015 Aug 1, 2022 Aug 1, 2022
EB-4 Certain Religious Workers Jan 1, 2023 Jan 1, 2023 Jan 1, 2023 Jan 1, 2023 Jan 1, 2023
EB-5 Unreserved CURRENT Mar 1, 2017 May 1, 2024 CURRENT CURRENT
EB-5 Rural Set Aside CURRENT CURRENT CURRENT CURRENT CURRENT
EB-5 High Unemployment CURRENT CURRENT CURRENT CURRENT CURRENT

What Does "Current" Mean for Your Green Card?

When the Final Action Date for your category and country of birth shows "Current" (C), there is no backlog — you can file for adjustment of status (I-485) or apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate immediately, regardless of your priority date.

For May 2026, EB-2 is current for the Rest of World, Mexico, and Philippines. If you were born in one of those regions and have an approved I-140, you can potentially file I-485 now, even if your priority date is recent.

How Severe Is the EB-2 India Backlog in 2026?

The EB-2 India Final Action Date for May 2026 is July 15, 2014. If your EB-2 India priority date is before July 15, 2014, you may be eligible to file or have your visa number allocated. If it's after that date, you face an approximately 12-year wait from the cutoff date to today.

However, if your EB-2 India priority date is before January 15, 2015, you can use the Dates for Filing chart to submit your I-485 — you don't need to wait for the Final Action Date to become current.

The State Department projects continued forward movement, but any acceleration of demand could trigger retrogression. The EB-2 India backlog peaked in 2021-2023; the current trajectory shows slow but steady improvement.

How Long Is the EB-2 China Backlog in 2026?

The EB-2 China Final Action Date for May 2026 is September 1, 2021. The ~4.5 year backlog is significantly shorter than India's. EB-2 China applicants with priority dates before September 1, 2021 are eligible this month.

What Should You Do With Your Priority Date Right Now?

If your priority date is earlier than the Final Action Date for your category and country of birth, gather your documents and file I-485 with USCIS immediately. If your date is not yet current but falls before the Dates for Filing cutoff, file using the filing chart — USCIS will accept it.

If neither chart works for you yet, the EB-1 category remains current for all countries and is the fastest path if you have supporting evidence for the higher evidentiary bar.

What Are the Family-Sponsored Visa Bulletin Cutoff Dates?

Family-Sponsored Preferences — Final Action Dates
Category All Chargeability Areas China
Mainland Born		 India Mexico Philippines
F1 Unmarried Adult Children Sep 1, 2017 Sep 1, 2017 Sep 1, 2017 Aug 15, 2007 May 1, 2013
F2A Spouses & Children of PR Aug 1, 2024 Aug 1, 2024 Aug 1, 2024 Aug 1, 2023 Aug 1, 2024
F2B Unmarried Adult Children of PR May 22, 2017 May 22, 2017 May 22, 2017 Feb 15, 2009 Apr 8, 2013
F3 Married Children of Citizens Feb 15, 2012 Feb 15, 2012 Feb 15, 2012 May 1, 2001 Nov 22, 2005
F4 Siblings of Adult Citizens Sep 15, 2008 Sep 15, 2008 Nov 1, 2006 Apr 8, 2001 Jul 15, 2007

What Is the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery for DV-2026?

The DV-2026 diversity visa lottery is open. For May 2026, visas are available to qualified DV-2026 applicants from all regions. Africa: 55,000 (Algeria: 37,000, Egypt: 30,000). Asia: 35,000 (Nepal: 10,000). Europe: 20,000. Oceania: 1,500. South America & Caribbean: 3,000. All DV-2026 visas must be issued by September 30, 2026.

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