July 2026 Visa Bulletin: Key Updates, Trends & What to Expect

The U.S. Department of State has released the July 2026 Visa Bulletin, reflecting the increasing demand for immigrant visas as Fiscal Year 2026 enters its final quarter. While several family-sponsored categories continue gradual forward movement, employment-based categories are beginning to experience the expected end-of-fiscal-year pressure, including retrogressions and temporary unavailability for certain countries.

As visa numbers become more limited heading into the end of the fiscal year, the Department of State is carefully managing allocations to remain within the annual statutory limits. Applicants should expect continued caution through September, with many categories likely to reset or advance when the new fiscal year begins on October 1, 2026.

Family-Sponsored Categories – Final Action Dates

F1 – Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

All Chargeability / China / India: February 1, 2018
Mexico: November 8, 2007
Philippines: May 1, 2013

Trend & Projection: F1 continues its steady but modest advancement. Historically, this category experiences incremental movement throughout the fiscal year, and additional forward movement remains possible before the FY-2027 reset.

F2A – Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

All Chargeability / China / India / Philippines: January 1, 2025
Mexico: January 1, 2024

Trend & Projection: F2A remains one of the strongest-performing family categories. Final Action Dates continue to reflect relatively recent priority dates, allowing many applicants to proceed with permanent residence. While additional movement may be limited through September, this category remains favorable compared to other family preferences.

F2B – Unmarried Adult Children of Permanent Residents

All Chargeability / China / India: November 22, 2017
Mexico: February 15, 2009
Philippines: May 15, 2013

Trend & Projection: F2B continues its long-term pattern of slow advancement. Applicants should expect only incremental movement through the remainder of FY-2026.

F3 – Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

All Chargeability / China / India: April 15, 2012
Mexico: June 1, 2001
Philippines: February 22, 2006

Trend & Projection: F3 remains heavily backlogged due to sustained demand. Any additional movement before the fiscal year concludes is expected to be modest.

F4 – Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

All Chargeability / China: January 1, 2009
India: November 1, 2006
Mexico: April 8, 2001
Philippines: August 1, 2007

Trend & Projection: F4 remains one of the slowest-moving immigrant visa categories. While slight advances are possible, significant movement is unlikely before October.

Family-Sponsored Categories – Dates for Filing

The July Filing Dates continue to provide opportunities for many applicants to begin preparing documentation before immigrant visas become available.

F1: January 1, 2019
F2A: Current (all countries)
F2B: June 8, 2018
F3: December 8, 2012
F4: March 1, 2010

Trend & Projection: The Filing Dates chart remains favorable, particularly for F2A applicants, which continues to be current worldwide. USCIS will announce whether applicants may use the Filing Dates chart for adjustment of status filings for July.

Employment-Based Categories – Final Action Dates

EB-1 – Priority Workers

All Chargeability / Mexico / Philippines: Current
China: June 1, 2023
India: October 15, 2022

Trend & Projection: EB-1 remains current for most countries. However, India has experienced retrogression due to high demand as the annual visa limit nears exhaustion. Further retrogression or temporary unavailability remains possible through September.

EB-2 – Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability

All Chargeability / Mexico / Philippines: Current
China: September 1, 2021
India: Unavailable

Trend & Projection: India has reached its FY-2026 EB-2 allocation, making the category unavailable for the remainder of the fiscal year. The Department of State expects movement to resume in October when FY-2027 visa numbers become available. China may also face retrogression if demand continues to increase.

EB-3 – Skilled Workers and Professionals

All Chargeability / Mexico: August 1, 2024
China: December 22, 2021
India: January 1, 2014
Philippines: August 1, 2023

Trend & Projection: EB-3 continues to perform well for most countries, although demand remains strong. The Department of State has warned that increased demand from the Philippines could result in retrogression or temporary unavailability before the fiscal year ends.

EB-3 Other Workers

All Chargeability / Mexico: March 1, 2022
China: April 1, 2019
India: January 1, 2014
Philippines: December 1, 2021

Trend & Projection: Limited annual visa numbers continue to constrain this category, and significant advancement is unlikely before FY-2027.

EB-4 – Special Immigrants

Worldwide: September 15, 2022

Trend & Projection: EB-4 remains backlogged. Applicants should monitor future bulletins for any legislative developments or changes in visa availability.

EB-5 – Immigrant Investors

Unreserved

China: December 1, 2016
India: Unavailable
All Other Countries: Current

Set-Asides

Rural – Current
High Unemployment – Current
Infrastructure – Current

Trend & Projection: India has exhausted its FY-2026 allocation of EB-5 Unreserved visas and will remain unavailable until the new fiscal year begins. Set-Aside categories continue to remain current worldwide and remain an attractive option for qualified investors.

Diversity Visa (DV-2026)

July continues the expected expansion of Diversity Visa cut-off numbers as the fiscal year approaches its conclusion.

Africa: 55,000 (Algeria 40,000; Egypt 31,000)
Asia: 35,000 (Nepal 13,000)
Europe: 23,000
North America (Bahamas): 50
Oceania: 1,700
South America / Caribbean: 3,300

Trend & Projection: Diversity Visa numbers continue to expand toward the end of FY-2026. However, applicants should remember that all DV-2026 visas must be issued by September 30, 2026, and visa numbers may be exhausted before then.

Bottom Line

The July 2026 Visa Bulletin reflects the typical end-of-fiscal-year pattern: steady family-based movement, growing employment-based visa pressure, and increasing Diversity Visa availability. The most significant developments this month include the EB-2 India and EB-5 India Unreserved categories becoming unavailable, EB-1 India retrogressing, and warnings that additional retrogressions may occur in EB-2 China and EB-3 Philippines if demand continues to rise.

Historically, many employment-based categories experience renewed forward movement when the new fiscal year begins on October 1, as annual visa numbers reset. Applicants should continue monitoring future Visa Bulletins for additional changes.

Schedule a Consultation with an Immigration Lawyer

Citation

DOS Visa Bulletin: July 2026

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