New Green Card uncertainty for Indians

Indian professionals waiting for US employment-based green cards have received little relief in the August 2026 Visa Bulletin, with the US Department of State keeping the EB-2 category unavailable for India and warning that the EB-1 category could also become unavailable in the coming weeks if the country's annual visa limit is exhausted.

The latest bulletin, released by the US Department of State on July 15, shows no forward movement for Indian applicants in the major employment-based green card categories.

It also includes a fresh caution that high demand from India could lead to the temporary suspension of EB-1 visa numbers before the end of the 2026 fiscal year.EB-1 under pressure as demand risesThe Department of State said high demand and visa usage in the EB-1 category for applicants chargeable to India may force the government to make the category unavailable in the coming weeks if India's annual allocation is exhausted before September 30.

The bulletin added that authorities will continue monitoring visa usage and make adjustments if necessary.

ALSO READ: Indian students cool on 'American Dream' as EU opens its doorsThis warning comes after several months of heavy demand for employment-based immigrant visas from India, making EB-1 the latest category to face potential restrictions.EB-2 remains unavailable The biggest setback continues to be for EB-2 applicants from India.

For August, the Final Action Date for the EB-2 category remains "Unavailable (U)", meaning no immigrant visas can be issued to Indian applicants under this category during the month.

The category had already become unavailable in the July Visa Bulletin after annual visa numbers were exhausted.

The Department of State also cautioned that increasing demand in the worldwide EB-2 category may require further retrogression or additional periods of unavailability in the coming months to stay within the annual visa cap.

EB-3 sees no movement There is also no change for Indian applicants in the EB-3 category.

The Final Action Date remains January 1, 2014, while the Date for Filing stays at January 15, 2015, leaving thousands of skilled workers and professionals waiting in the green card queue.

Similarly, the "Other Workers" subcategory remains unchanged with a Final Action Date of January 1, 2014.The August Visa Bulletin also shows no movement across most family-sponsored preference categories for Indian applicants.Understanding the Visa BulletinUnderstanding the Visa Bulletin is crucial for individuals seeking Green Cards, as it provides vital information about the timeline for adjusting immigration status and eligibility based on application submission.

The bulletin acts as a guide for the Green Card journey, featuring two essential sections.Dates for Filing: This section specifies the earliest date applicants can submit their adjustment of status or immigrant visa applications.

It helps applicants determine when they can proceed with their filing based on their visa category and country of origin.Final Action Dates: These dates estimate the wait time for application approval, leading to permanent residency.

They function as a queue based on visa category and nationality, indicating when applicants can expect their applications to be processed.However, there's a crucial caveat for employment-based green card (EB) adjustments.

To file in August 2025, applicants must have an application date preceding a specific date listed for their category and country in the bulletin, ensuring their eligibility for filing.ALSO READ: Trump administration weighs $100,000 bond for some green card applicantsThe significance of final action dates lies in their role in application processing.

These dates vary depending on the visa type and nationality, directly impacting the duration of the green card application process and potential wait times.

Understanding and monitoring these dates is essential for individuals navigating the Green Card application process.Highlights from the August 2026 Visa BulletinThe Visa Bulletin outlines preference categories for family-sponsored immigrants, providing critical information for navigating the Green Card process.

The categories are as follows:First Preference (F1): Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S.

CitizensSecond Preference (F2): Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent ResidentsF2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent ResidentsF2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent ResidentsThird Preference (F3): Married Sons and Daughters of U.S.

CitizensFourth Preference (F4): Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S.

CitizensThe bulletin provides detailed insights into the allocation of immigrant visas, primarily based on priority dates and demand received by April 1st of each fiscal year.

When demand surpasses the available visas in a particular category or country, that category is classified as oversubscribed.

In such cases, the final action date for oversubscribed categories is determined by the priority date of the first applicant who couldn't be accommodated within the numerical limits.For the fiscal year, the limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants is set at 226,000, with specific allocations for each preference category.

Additionally, there are per-country limits set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits.

Immigrant visas are issued in order of priority based on the filing date of the petition.Spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status and consideration as the principal applicant.

In instances where visa issuances surpass the per-country limit, visa prorating provisions come into effect for oversubscribed chargeability areas, including China (mainland born), India, Mexico, and the Philippines.

These provisions ensure fair allocation of visas among applicants from different countries.Understanding these intricacies is crucial for individuals navigating the immigrant visa process.

The Visa Bulletin serves as a vital tool, providing essential information about visa availability and processing times, helping applicants plan their immigration journey effectively.FAMILY-SPONSORED GREEN CARDS: FINAL ACTION DATESFamily- SponsoredINDIAF1December 15, 2018 (was February 1, 2018)F2AJuly 22, 2026 (was January 1, 2025)F2BJanuary 1, 2018 (was November 22, 2017)F3May 15, 2012 (was April 15, 2012)F4November 01, 2006 (unchanged)FAMILY-SPONSORED GREEN CARDS: DATES FOR FILINGFamily- SponsoredINDIAF1June 15, 2019 (was January 1, 2019)F2ACurrentF2BJanuary 1, 2019 (was June 8, 2018)F3March 1, 2013 (was December 8, 2012)F4December 15, 2006 (unchanged)Employment-based preferencesThe allocation of immigrant visas in the employment-based preference categories is structured to ensure a balanced distribution among various types of skilled and unskilled workers, professionals, and investors.

Understanding these categories and their allocation percentages is crucial for individuals seeking employment-based immigrant visas.1.

Priority Workers: This category receives 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level.

It includes:Individuals with extraordinary abilities in their fieldOutstanding professors and researchersMultinational executives or managersAdditionally, any surplus numbers not used for the fourth and fifth preferences may also be allocated here.2.

Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Individuals of Exceptional Ability: This category is also allotted 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by the first preference.

It covers:Individuals with advanced degreesIndividuals with exceptional abilities in their respective fields3.

Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: This category receives 28.6% of the worldwide level, along with any numbers not required by the first and second preferences.

It includes:Skilled workers and professionals"Other Workers" performing unskilled labor, with a cap of 10,000 visas4.

Certain Special Immigrants: This category is allocated 7.1% of the global level and includes:Religious workersCertain employees of U.S. foreign service postsIndividuals who have served in the U.S. armed forces5.

Employment Creation: This category also receives 7.1% of the global level.

It is further divided to ensure targeted investment and job creation:20% for qualified immigrants investing in rural areas10% for those investing in high unemployment areas2% for those investing in infrastructure projectsThe remaining 68% is unrestricted and available to all other eligible investorsThese employment-based preference categories are designed to attract a diverse pool of talented individuals to the United States, fostering economic growth and innovation.

By understanding these allocation percentages and categories, applicants can better navigate the U.S. immigration system and plan their visa applications accordingly.EMPLOYMENT-BASED GREEN CARDS: FINAL ACTION DATESEmployment-basedINDIA1stOctober 15, 2022 (unchanged)2ndU3rdJanuary 1, 2014 (unchanged)Other WorkersJanuary 1, 2014 (unchanged)4thOctober 15, 2022 (was September 15, 2022)Certain Religious WorkersOctober 15, 2022 (was September 15, 2022)5th Unreserved(including C5, T5, I5, R5)U5th Set Aside: Rural (20%)Current5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%)Current5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%)CurrentEMPLOYMENT-BASED GREEN CARDS: DATES FOR FILINGEmployment-basedINDIA1stDecember 1, 2023 (unchanged)2ndJanuary 15, 2015 (unchanged)3rdJanuary 15, 2015 (unchanged)Other WorkersJanuary 15, 2015 (unchanged)4thJanuary 1, 2023 (unchanged)Certain Religious WorkersJanuary 1, 2023 (unchanged)5th Unreserved(including C5, T5, I5, R5)May 1, 2024 (unchanged)5th Set Aside:(Rural - 20%)Current5th Set Aside:(High Unemployment - 10%)Current5th Set Aside:(Infrastructure - 2%)Current ...