Published: May 4, 2026
Effective: June 2026
Source: U.S. Department of State, Visa Bulletin No. 15, Vol. XI
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin brings critical updates for immigration applicants worldwide including major retrogressions for India in top employment categories, new warnings for China and Philippines, and continued advancement for most other countries. This guide breaks down every chart, explains what changed, and tells you what to do next.
How to Use the June 2026 Visa Bulletin
Before checking your dates, understand which chart applies to you:
| Chart | Who Uses It | What It Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Final Action Dates | All applicants | When a visa can be issued or I-485 approved |
| Dates for Filing | NVC filers & USCIS (when authorized) | When documents can be submitted ahead of visa availability |
USCIS must separately announce each month whether the Dates for Filing chart may be used for I-485 filings. Always check uscis.gov/visabulletininfo before filing.
Key Changes and Alerts for June 2026
| Alert | Category | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 🔴 Retrogressed | India EB-1 | Cut to April 1, 2023 — further retrogression possible |
| 🔴 Retrogressed | India EB-2 | Cut to September 1, 2013 — further retrogression possible |
| 🟡 Under Watch | China EB-2 | September 1, 2021 — retrogression may follow |
| 🟡 Under Watch | Philippines EB-3 | August 1, 2023 — retrogression may follow |
| 🟡 Under Watch | India EB-5 Unreserved | May 1, 2022 — may become Unavailable next month |
| 🟢 Favorable | Most EB categories (non-India/China) | Dates advanced or Current — file now if eligible |
| 🟢 Favorable | F2A all countries | January 1, 2025 Final Action; Current on Filing chart |
Why did dates advance? Reduced immigrant visa issuance due to Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998 and updated consular processing procedures freed up numbers. Dates were advanced to use available FY 2026 numbers. Retrogressions remain likely in July–September 2026 bulletins as demand recovers.
Employment-Based Final Action Dates — June 2026
“C” = Current (all applicants eligible regardless of priority date). Dates listed mean your priority date must fall before that date.
| Category | All Other Countries | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 Priority Workers | Current | 01 Apr 2023 | 15 Dec 2022 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 Advanced Degree | Current | 01 Sep 2021 | 01 Sep 2013 | Current | Current |
| EB-3 Skilled Workers | 01 Jun 2024 | 01 Aug 2021 | 15 Dec 2013 | 01 Jun 2024 | 01 Aug 2023 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | 01 Feb 2022 | 01 Apr 2019 | 15 Dec 2013 | 01 Feb 2022 | 01 Nov 2021 |
| EB-4 Special Immigrants | 15 Jul 2022 | 15 Jul 2022 | 15 Jul 2022 | 15 Jul 2022 | 15 Jul 2022 |
| EB-4 Religious Workers | 15 Jul 2022 | 15 Jul 2022 | 15 Jul 2022 | 15 Jul 2022 | 15 Jul 2022 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Current | 22 Sep 2016 | 01 May 2022 | Current | Current |
| EB-5 Rural (20%) | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-5 High Unemployment (10%) | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-5 Infrastructure (2%) | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
Employment-Based Dates for Filing — June 2026
Check uscis.gov/visabulletininfo to confirm whether USCIS has authorized use of this chart for I-485 filing this month.
| Category | All Other Countries | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | 01 Dec 2023 | 01 Dec 2023 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | Current | Current | 15 Jan 2015 | Current | Current |
| EB-3 Skilled Workers | Current | Current | 15 Jan 2015 | Current | Current |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Current | 01 Aug 2022 | 15 Jan 2015 | Current | 01 Jan 2024 |
| EB-4 Special Immigrants | 01 Aug 2022 | 01 Jan 2023 | 01 Aug 2022 | 01 Jan 2023 | 01 Jan 2023 |
| EB-4 Religious Workers | 01 Jan 2023 | 01 Jan 2023 | 01 Jan 2023 | 01 Jan 2023 | 01 Jan 2023 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Current | 01 Mar 2017 | 01 May 2024 | Current | Current |
| EB-5 All Set-Asides | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates — June 2026
FY 2026 annual family-sponsored limit: 226,000. Per-country cap: 25,620 (7% of combined family + EB total). Countries currently oversubscribed: China, India, Mexico, Philippines.
| Category | All Other Countries | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 — Unmarried Sons/Daughters of USC | 01 Sep 2017 | 01 Sep 2017 | 01 Sep 2017 | 08 Nov 2007 | 01 May 2013 |
| F2A — Spouses & Children of LPR | 01 Jan 2025 | 01 Jan 2025 | 01 Jan 2025 | 01 Jan 2025 | 01 Jan 2025 |
| F2B — Unmarried Sons/Daughters (21+) of LPR | 01 Jan 2024 | 22 Sep 2017 | 22 Sep 2017 | 22 Sep 2017 | 01 Jan 2025 |
| F3 — Married Sons/Daughters of USC | 15 Feb 2009 | 15 Feb 2012 | 15 Feb 2012 | 15 Feb 2012 | 08 Apr 2013 |
| F4 — Siblings of Adult USC | 01 May 2001 | 08 Nov 2008 | 22 Nov 2005 | 08 Apr 2001 | 15 Jul 2007 |
Special F2A rule for June: F2A numbers exempt from the per-country limit are available to all countries with priority dates before January 1, 2024. Numbers subject to the per-country limit are available to all countries except Mexico for dates from January 1, 2024 through January 1, 2025. All F2A numbers for Mexico are exempt from the per-country limit.
Family-Sponsored Dates for Filing — June 2026
| Category | All Other Countries | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01 Oct 2018 | 01 Oct 2018 | 01 Oct 2018 | 01 Oct 2008 | 22 Apr 2015 |
| F2A | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| F2B | Current | 22 Mar 2018 | 22 Mar 2018 | 22 Mar 2018 | Current |
| F3 | 15 May 2010 | 08 Dec 2012 | 08 Dec 2012 | 08 Dec 2012 | 01 Oct 2013 |
| F4 | 15 Jul 2001 | 22 Dec 2009 | 08 Aug 2006 | 30 Apr 2001 | 22 Mar 2008 |
Diversity Visa (DV-2026) Cutoffs — June 2026
Up to approximately 52,000 DV-2026 visas are available this fiscal year. All entitlement expires September 30, 2026. Visas are available only to applicants with rank numbers below the cutoffs listed.
| Region | General Cutoff | Country Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 55,000 | Algeria: 37,000 · Egypt: 30,000 |
| Asia | 35,000 | Nepal: 11,000 |
| Europe | 20,000 | None |
| Oceania | 1,500 | None |
| South America & Caribbean | 3,000 | None |
| North America | 50 | Bahamas only |
Diversity Visa Cutoffs — July 2026 Preview
| Region | General Cutoff | Country Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 55,000 | Algeria: 40,000 · Egypt: 31,000 |
| Asia | 35,000 | Nepal: 23,000 |
| Europe | 13,000 | None |
| Oceania | 1,700 | None |
| South America & Caribbean | 3,300 | None |
| North America | 50 | Bahamas only |
Europe alert: The cutoff drops from 20,000 in June to 13,000 in July. Selectees with rank numbers between 13,001 and 20,000 cannot receive a visa in July. Contact your U.S. embassy immediately to explore rescheduling within June.
Annual Limits & Per-Country Rules — At a Glance
| Limit | FY 2026 Number |
|---|---|
| Employment-Based annual limit | 140,000 (minimum) |
| Family-Sponsored annual limit | 226,000 |
| Per-country preference limit | 25,620 (7% of combined total) |
| Dependent area limit | 7,320 (2% of combined total) |
| DV-2026 annual limit (after adjustments) | ~52,000 |
Oversubscribed chargeability areas this month: China (mainland born), India, Mexico, Philippines.
What to Do Based on Your Situation
| Your Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| India-born, EB-1 or EB-2 | Consult an attorney immediately. Respond to all USCIS requests without delay. |
| India-born, pending I-485 | Your case remains pending but cannot be approved until your date is current again. |
| Current EB category (most countries) | File I-485 now if you have an approved I-140 dates may retrogress in coming months. |
| DV-2026 selectee | Check your rank. Push for earliest available appointment entitlement expires Sep 30, 2026. |
| Europe DV selectee, rank 13,001–20,000 | Call your embassy now to reschedule into June before the July cutoff drops. |
| F2A applicant | Final Action date is Jan 1, 2025. Filing chart is Current check uscis.gov/visabulletininfo. |
| China EB-2 or Philippines EB-3 | Monitor July 2026 bulletin closely for retrogression warning. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a priority date? For employment-based applicants, it is typically the date a PERM labor certification or I-140 petition was filed. For family-sponsored applicants, it is the date USCIS received the I-130 petition.
What does “Current” mean? No backlog exists. All qualified applicants in that category and country can move forward regardless of their priority date.
What is retrogression? When a final action date moves backward, applicants whose priority dates fall after the new cutoff lose eligibility for that month and must wait for a future bulletin to advance past their date again.
Can I file I-485 if my date is not current on the Final Action chart? Only if USCIS has authorized the Dates for Filing chart for that month at uscis.gov/visabulletininfo.
What happens to my pending I-485 if a date retrogresses? Your application stays on file. USCIS will not approve it until your priority date becomes current again, but your position in the queue is preserved.
Why are all EB-5 set-aside categories Current even for India and China? The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 created dedicated reserved pools for rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure investments. These pools have not yet accumulated significant backlogs, so they remain current for all countries.
Based on Visa Bulletin No. 15, Volume XI, issued by the U.S. Department of State (CA/VO) on May 4, 2026. For informational purposes only — not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration attorney for guidance on your individual case. Official bulletin: travel.state.gov. USCIS filing guidance: uscis.gov/visabulletininfo.