July 2026 Visa Bulletin: Latest Dates, Priority Date Movement & Key Updates
- By Fileright
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The U.S. Department of State has released the July 2026 Visa Bulletin, updating green card filing and approval dates for family-based and employment-based applicants.
If you’re waiting for a green card, this monthly update helps answer one important question: Can you move forward now? By comparing your priority date with the latest cutoff dates, you can determine whether you may be eligible to file your application, continue with Adjustment of Status (Form I-485), or move closer to green card approval.
For July 2026, USCIS requires:
- Family-sponsored applicants to use the Dates for Filing chart
- Employment-based applicants to use the Final Action Dates chart
Review the July 2026 Visa Bulletin below to check your priority date, understand which chart applies to your case, and take the next step in your green card process.
July 2026 Visa Bulletin Summary
The July 2026 Visa Bulletin updates green card availability for family-based and employment-based applicants and determines who may move forward with the next stage of the immigration process this month.
For July 2026:
- Family-sponsored applicants should use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility.
- Employment-based applicants should use the Final Action Dates chart for Adjustment of Status eligibility.
- Selected categories moved forward, while some oversubscribed categories remained unchanged or became unavailable due to annual visa limits.
- Your ability to take action depends on your priority date, visa category, and country of chargeability.
Compare your priority date with the July cutoff dates below to see whether you may be eligible to file your application or continue toward green card approval.
Quick Guide: How the Visa Bulletin Works
Before checking your eligibility, understand these four key factors:
Priority Date
Your priority date is your place in line for a green card. If your date is earlier than the published cutoff date, your case may move forward.
Country of Chargeability
Visa availability is based on your country of birth. Applicants from countries with higher demand—such as India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines—may experience longer waiting times.
Which Chart Applies?
The Visa Bulletin includes two important charts:
- Dates for Filing: When you may submit your application
- Final Action Dates: When a green card may be approved
Monthly Movement
Visa dates change each month and may:
- Move Forward: More applicants become eligible
- Remain Unchanged: No movement this month
- Retrogress: Dates move backward because demand exceeds available visas
When to File Adjustment of Status
If you are applying for a green card from inside the United States, you may need to file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) once your category becomes eligible.
Your filing eligibility depends on two things:
- Your priority date
- Which Visa Bulletin chart USCIS allows applicants to use for that month
For July 2026:
- Family-sponsored applicants: Use the Dates for Filing chart
- Employment-based applicants: Use the Final Action Dates chart
If your priority date is earlier than the applicable cutoff date (or the category is marked Current (C)), you may be able to move forward with filing your application.
Before submitting Form I-485, confirm that you meet all filing and eligibility requirements and review the latest USCIS filing guidance.
Family-Sponsored Preference Categories
Family-sponsored immigration allows eligible U.S. citizens and green card holders to sponsor certain relatives for permanent residency in the United States.
When checking the Visa Bulletin, first identify your family preference category, then compare your priority date with the applicable cutoff date.
Family-sponsored green cards are divided into these categories:
- F1 – Unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 or older) of U.S. citizens
- F2A – Spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of green card holders
- F2B – Unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 or older) of green card holders
- F3 – Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- F4 – Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens
Each category has separate cutoff dates that vary based on country of chargeability and annual visa availability.
Review the July 2026 family-sponsored filing dates below to see whether your priority date may allow you to move forward.
F-1: Unmarried Children (Age 21+) of U.S. Citizens
| Region | June ’26 | July ’26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 01-Oct-18 | 01-Jan-19 | Advance by 3 months |
| China | 01-Oct-18 | 01-Jan-19 | Advance by 3 months |
| India | 01-Oct-18 | 01-Jan-19 | Advance by 3 months |
| Mexico | 01-Oct-08 | 01-Oct-08 | No change |
| Philippines | 22-Apr-15 | 22-Apr-15 | No change |
F-2A: Spouses and Unmarried Children (Under 21) of U.S. Green Card Holders
| Region | June ’26 | July ’26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Countries | C | C | No change |
| China | C | C | No change |
| India | C | C | No change |
| Mexico | C | C | No change |
| Philippines | C | C | No change |
F-2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (Age 21 or older) of U.S. Green Card Holders
| Region | June ’26 | July ’26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 22-Mar-18 | 08-Jun-18 | Advanced by 2.5 months |
| China | 22-Mar-18 | 08-Jun-18 | Advanced by 2.5 months |
| India | 22-Mar-18 | 08-Jun-18 | Advanced by 2.5 months |
| Mexico | 15-May-10 | 15-May-10 | No change |
| Philippines | 01-Oct-13 | 01-Oct-13 | No change |
F-3: Married Children of U.S. Citizens
| Region | June ’26 | July ’26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 08-Dec-12 | 08-Dec-12 | No change |
| China | 08-Dec-12 | 08-Dec-12 | No change |
| India | 08-Dec-12 | 08-Dec-12 | No change |
| Mexico | 15-Jul-01 | 15-Jul-01 | No change |
| Philippines | 08-Aug-06 | 08-Aug-06 | No change |
F-4: Siblings of U.S. Citizens
| Region | June ’26 | July ’26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 22-Dec-09 | 01-Mar-10 | Advanced by 2.5 months |
| China | 22-Dec-09 | 01-Mar-10 | Advanced by 2.5 months |
| India | 15-Dec-06 | 15-Dec-06 | No change |
| Mexico | 30-Apr-01 | 30-Apr-01 | No change |
| Philippines | 22-Mar-08 | 22-Mar-08 | No change |
Employment-Based Preference Categories
Employment-based green cards are organized into preference categories based on the applicant’s qualifications and employment sponsorship.
Before checking the Visa Bulletin, identify your employment category and compare your priority date with the applicable cutoff date.
Employment-based categories include:
- EB-1 – Priority workers, including individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, and certain executives
- EB-2 – Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability
- EB-3 – Skilled workers, professionals, and certain other workers
- EB-4 – Special immigrants, including certain religious workers
- EB-5 – Immigrant investors creating qualifying U.S. jobs
Visa availability and waiting times vary by category, country of chargeability, and annual visa limits. Employment categories with higher demand may experience longer waiting periods.
Review the July 2026 employment-based cutoff dates below to see whether your case may move forward this month.
EB-1: Extraordinary People, Outstanding Researchers and Professors, and Multinational Executives and Managers
| Region | June ’26 | July ’26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | C | C | No change |
| China | 01-Apr-23 | 01-Jun-23 | Advance by 2 months |
| India | 15-Dec-22 | 15-Oct-22 | Retrogressed by 2 months |
| Mexico | C | C | No change |
| Philippines | C | C | No change |
EB-2: Exceptional People and Advanced Degree Holders
| Region | June ’26 | July ’26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | C | C | No change |
| China | 01-Sep-21 | 01-Sep-21 | No change |
| India | 01-Sep-13 | U | Unavailable |
| Mexico | C | C | No change |
| Philippines | C | C | No change |
EB-3: Skilled Worker or Professional
| Region | June ’26 | July ’26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 01-Jun-24 | 01-Aug-24 | Advanced by 2 months |
| China | 01-Aug-21 | 22-Dec-21 | Advanced by 4.5 months |
| India | 15-Dec-13 | 01-Jan-14 | Advanced by 15 days |
| Mexico | 01-Jun-24 | 01-Aug-24 | Advanced by 2 months |
| Philippines | 01-Aug-23 | 01-Aug-23 | No change |
EB-3: Other Worker
| Region | June ’26 | July ’26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 01-Feb-22 | 01-Mar-22 | Advanced by 1 month |
| China | 01-Apr-19 | 01-Apr-19 | No change |
| India | 15-Dec-13 | 01-Jan-14 | Advanced by 15 days |
| Mexico | 01-Feb-22 | 01-Mar-22 | Advanced by 1 month |
| Philippines | 01-Nov-21 | 01-Dec-21 | Advanced by 1 month |
EB-4: Special Immigrants Category
| Country | June ’26 | July ’26 | Change |
| All Chargeability Areas | 15-Jul-22 | 15-Sep-22 | Advanced by 2 months |
| China | 15-Jul-22 | 15-Sep-22 | Advanced by 2 months |
| India | 15-Jul-22 | 15-Sep-22 | Advanced by 2 months |
| Mexico | 15-Jul-22 | 15-Sep-22 | Advanced by 2 months |
| Philippines | 15-Jul-22 | 15-Sep-22 | Advanced by 2 months |
EB-5: Investors Category
| Country | June ’26 | July ’26 | Movement |
| All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | C | C | No change |
| China | 22-Sep-16 | 01-Dec-16 | Advanced by 2.5 months |
| India | 01-May-22 | U | Unavailable |
| Mexico | C | C | No change |
| Philippines | C | C | No change |
Stay Updated with the Visa Bulletin
The U.S. Visa Bulletin updates every month, and even small changes can affect when you become eligible to file or move forward with your green card application.
Why Tracking the Visa Bulletin Matters
Visa cutoff dates may:
- Move forward – You may become eligible to file sooner
- Remain Unchanged – Your wait time continues
- Retrogress – Dates move backward because demand exceeds available visas
Monitoring monthly updates can help you:
- Know when your priority date becomes current
- File Form I-485 at the right time
- Avoid using the wrong filing chart
- Prepare documents before your filing window opens
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If your priority date is current and you meet filing requirements, you may be eligible to move forward with your green card application.
