New Green Card uncertainty for Indians

Published 21 July 2026 · india

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

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- 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- 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.