Related US immigration guides
EB-2 NIW Complete Guide - NIW Requirements - NIW Processing Time - EB-1A Criteria - EB-1A vs NIW
The visa bulletin determines when you can get your green card after your I-140 petition is approved. In 2026, EB-1 remains current for all countries (no wait), while EB-2 has a multi-year backlog for India and China but is current for the rest of the world. This guide explains how to read the visa bulletin, what your priority date means, current EB-1 and EB-2 wait times, and exactly what to do when your date becomes current.
Information on this page is current as of April 2026. The visa bulletin updates EVERY MONTH. Always verify the current bulletin at travel.state.gov and check which filing chart USCIS is using at uscis.gov.
Contents
- What Is the Visa Bulletin and Why It Matters
- How to Read the Visa Bulletin (Final Action vs Filing Dates)
- Current EB-1 Priority Dates 2026
- Current EB-2 Priority Dates 2026
- EB-2 India Wait Time: The Backlog Explained
- EB-2 China Wait Time
- Rest of World: Why EB-2 Is Currently “Current”
- What Happens When Your Priority Date Becomes Current
- Concurrent Filing: I-140 + I-485
- How to Check for Monthly Updates
- FAQ
What Is the Visa Bulletin and Why It Matters
The Visa Bulletin in Plain English
The visa bulletin is a monthly chart published by the U.S. Department of State showing whether a green card is available in your category and for your country of birth right now.
Think of it as a queue. When your I-140 petition is filed, you get a “ticket number” called your priority date. The bulletin shows which numbers are currently being served. If yours has been called, you proceed to get your green card. If not, you wait.
Key concept: The visa bulletin does NOT apply to nonimmigrant visas like O-1, H-1B, or L-1. It only controls when you can get a green card (permanent residence) through employment-based or family-based categories.
The bulletin has separate rows for each preference category: EB-1 (extraordinary ability, outstanding professors, multinational managers), EB-2 (advanced degree, exceptional ability, NIW), EB-3 (skilled workers, professionals), EB-4 and EB-5 (special immigrants, investors).
Why Employment-Based Green Cards Have a Queue
Congress caps employment-based green cards at approximately 140,000 per year. Each category (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3) receives roughly 40,000 visas. On top of that, no single country of birth can receive more than 7% of the total.
The 7% cap means India (population 1.4 billion) gets the same allocation as Iceland (population 380,000). With hundreds of thousands of Indian nationals in the EB-2 queue and only about 2,800 visas per country per category, the result is a multi-year backlog for India and a shorter one for China.
Where to Find It (Updated Monthly)
travel.state.gov/visa-bulletin - published monthly, typically mid-month before the effective month.
uscis.gov - Filing Charts - USCIS announces monthly whether it accepts Table A or Table B for I-485 filing.
How to Read the Visa Bulletin (Final Action vs Filing Dates)
Table A: Final Action Dates (When You Get the Green Card)
Table A is the main table. Find your row (1st = EB-1, 2nd = EB-2) and your column (country of birth). If it shows a date like “01JAN22,” your priority date must be earlier for your case to be approved. If it shows “C” (Current), no backlog exists.
Here is April 2026 Table A for employment-based categories:
| Category | All Chargeability (ROW) | China (mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-2 | C | 01SEP21 | 15JUL14 | C | C |
| EB-3 | C | 01JAN19 | 15JUN12 | C | C |
Table B: Dates for Filing (When You Can File I-485)
Table B shows an earlier date that lets you file I-485 before your case can be finally approved. Filing early gives you two benefits while waiting for Table A to catch up:
- EAD (Employment Authorization Document) - work for any employer, not just your sponsor
- Advance Parole - travel internationally without abandoning your application
Why Table B matters: Even if your green card cannot be approved yet, filing under Table B lets you live and work more freely while waiting. Your EAD and AP remain valid regardless of future bulletin changes.
Which Table to Use: USCIS Decides Monthly
USCIS decides each month which table to accept for I-485 filing. If USCIS says “use Final Action Dates,” you can only file under Table A. If “use Dates for Filing,” you can file under Table B’s earlier dates.
Filing under the wrong table results in rejection. Always check the USCIS filing chart before submitting.
“C” Means Current (No Wait)
“C” = Current, no backlog. File as soon as your I-140 is approved. “U” = Unavailable, visas exhausted - wait for next month or the new fiscal year (October 1). A date like “01MAR22” means only applicants with earlier priority dates can proceed.
"When EB-2 became current, I could not believe it. I had been checking the bulletin every month for two years, watching the date inch forward. Then in April it jumped straight to Current - I filed my I-485 the same week."
Current EB-1 Priority Dates 2026
EB-1 All Countries: Current (No Backlog)
As of April 2026, EB-1 is Current for all countries including India and China. No waiting period. If your EB-1 I-140 is approved, file I-485 immediately or proceed with consular processing.
What This Means for EB-1A Applicants
Because EB-1 is current, you can file I-140 and I-485 concurrently, getting EAD and Advance Parole within 3-6 months - even before your I-140 is decided. With premium processing (15 business days), you can have your I-140 adjudicated quickly.
Concurrent filing advantage: File I-140 + I-485 together under EB-1 to get work authorization and travel documents months earlier than sequential filing.
Could EB-1 Retrogress? Historical Precedent
EB-1 is almost always current. Brief retrogression has occurred in August-September (end of fiscal year) when visa numbers run low. For most countries, EB-1 has never retrogressed.
"Clients with EB-1 approval went to embassies in Warsaw and Israel and were told to come back in October - the quota for that fiscal year was used up. The visa bulletin is not the only thing to watch."
Current EB-2 Priority Dates 2026
EB-2 India: Current Wait Time and Cutoff Date
The EB-2 Final Action Date for India is July 15, 2014. Only applicants with priority dates before that can have their green card approved.
EB-2 India estimated wait: 12+ years. A new I-140 filed today enters behind everyone who filed before you. The effective wait exceeds 12 years and is growing.
EB-2 China: Current Wait Time and Cutoff Date
The EB-2 Final Action Date for mainland China is September 1, 2021 - approximately 5 years of backlog.
EB-2 China estimated wait: ~5 years. Significant but far shorter than India.
EB-2 Rest of World: Current (No Wait)
For all countries other than India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines - including Europe, Canada, Japan, Brazil, all of Africa - EB-2 is Current. Approved I-140 = file for your green card immediately.
| Country of Birth | EB-2 Final Action Date | EB-2 Filing Date | Estimated Wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rest of World | C (Current) | C (Current) | None |
| Mexico | C (Current) | C (Current) | None |
| Philippines | C (Current) | C (Current) | None |
| China (mainland) | 01SEP21 | 01JAN22 | ~5 years |
| India | 15JUL14 | 01APR15 | 12+ years |
Month-by-Month Movement Tracker
EB-2 Final Action Dates during FY2026:
| Month | EB-2 ROW | EB-2 China | EB-2 India |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | 01DEC23 | 01JUN19 | 01JAN12 |
| November 2025 | 01DEC23 | 01JUL19 | 01JAN12 |
| December 2025 | 01FEB24 | 01SEP19 | 01MAR12 |
| January 2026 | 01APR24 | 01JAN20 | 15APR12 |
| February 2026 | 01APR24 | 01JUN20 | 01JUL12 |
| March 2026 | 15OCT24 | 01MAR21 | 01JAN14 |
| April 2026 | C (Current) | 01SEP21 | 15JUL14 |
Biggest jump: EB-2 ROW leaped from October 2024 cutoff in March to fully Current in April. These rapid advances are driven by reduced consular visa issuance due to administration policies, freeing up numbers for domestic applicants.
EB-2 India Wait Time: The Backlog Explained
Why India Has the Longest Queue
The U.S. tech industry employs hundreds of thousands of Indian nationals on H-1B visas. Many have employer-sponsored green card applications in the EB-2 queue. The 7% per-country cap limits India to roughly 2,800 EB-2 visas per year against an estimated backlog of over 300,000 applicants. The queue grows faster than it can be processed.
Current Estimated Wait: Years, Not Months
With the cutoff at July 2014, a new filer enters a queue 12+ years behind. Realistic estimates suggest total wait could exceed 15 years for new applicants.
"Think about Chinese applicants sitting in the EB-2 queue waiting 5-6 years, or Indians waiting 12+. The idea of passing green card queue rights to your children by inheritance was seriously discussed - that is how long the wait has become."
Cross-Chargeability: Using Your Spouse’s Country of Birth
If your spouse was born in a country with better dates, you can use their country of birth. This is called cross-chargeability.
Example: You were born in India (EB-2 wait: 12+ years). Your spouse was born in Canada (EB-2: Current). Cross-charge to Canada and file immediately.
Requirements: Both spouses must apply simultaneously. Country is determined by birth, not citizenship. Works in both directions.
Will the Backlog Ever Clear?
Without legislative change, the EB-2 India backlog will not clear. Bills like the EAGLE Act and Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act have been introduced but never passed. Realistic alternatives:
- EB-1 route - current for India, no backlog if you qualify for EB-1A
- Cross-chargeability - if your spouse was born in a country without a backlog
- EB-3 downgrade then upgrade - sometimes EB-3 India has better dates; port the priority date back to EB-2 later
- Wait for legislation - stalled for years, but remains a possibility
EB-2 China Wait Time
Current Status and Trends
The EB-2 Final Action Date for mainland China is September 1, 2021 - approximately 5 years of wait. During FY2026, China’s dates moved forward over two years in seven months (from June 2019 to September 2021), driven by reduced consular issuance.
Retrogression risk: If consular visa issuance resumes normal rates, dates could pull back. The bulletin warns: "retrogression may be necessary later in the fiscal year."
Comparison with India
| Factor | EB-2 China | EB-2 India |
|---|---|---|
| Current cutoff | September 1, 2021 | July 15, 2014 |
| Approximate wait | ~5 years | ~12+ years |
| FY2026 movement | +2 years in 7 months | +2.5 years in 7 months |
| Backlog size | Moderate | Massive |
Rest of World: Why EB-2 Is Currently “Current”
What “Current” Means for Your Timeline
No visa bulletin queue. Your timeline depends only on I-140 processing (6-12 months, or 15 business days with premium), I-485 processing (8-14 months), and consular scheduling if outside the US.
Total realistic timeline for ROW EB-2 NIW (inside the US): Premium processing for I-140 (15 days) + I-485 (8-14 months) = green card in approximately 9-15 months from filing.
The Window Could Close: Why File Now
Current status results from administration actions in 2025-2026 that reduced consular visa issuance worldwide (Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998, suspension for 75 countries). With fewer visas issued at consulates, more numbers are available for domestic I-485 filers.
If restrictions are lifted, demand will spike and retrogression could follow - exactly what happened after COVID-era embassy closures.
Historical parallel: During COVID-19 (2020-2022), embassy closures caused similar forward movement. When consulates reopened, sharp retrogression followed. A former State Department official warned: "These are entirely artificial movements. If restrictions are lifted, there will be a boomerang effect."
"Since EB-2 NIW became Current, I had everything ready to file over the weekend. The window might not stay open, so I did not wait."
What Happens When Your Priority Date Becomes Current
Adjustment of Status (I-485) Inside the US
Verify which table USCIS is using at uscis.gov filing charts.
Form I-485, medical exam (I-693), passport photos, I-140 approval notice (I-797), birth certificate, passport copies, filing fees.
Your receipt notice locks your filing date. Even if the bulletin retrogresses next month, your pending I-485 is not rejected - it pauses until your date becomes current again.
Critical protection: Once I-485 is filed, retrogression pauses but does not cancel your application. Your EAD and Advance Parole remain valid. This is why filing during a current window matters - even if dates pull back, you keep the benefits.
Consular Processing from Abroad
After I-140 approval, your case transfers to the National Visa Center (NVC). Complete DS-260 online, submit documents, and wait for an interview at a US embassy. When approved, you receive an immigrant visa and have 6 months to enter the US.
75-country suspension: As of early 2026, immigrant visa issuance is suspended for 75 countries. Interviews may proceed but visas are placed on 221(g) hold until the suspension lifts. This does not affect I-485 filed from inside the US.
EAD and Advance Parole While Waiting
After filing I-485, request EAD (Form I-765, work for any employer) and Advance Parole (Form I-131, travel document). Both typically arrive within 3-6 months.
Travel warning: Do NOT leave the US after filing I-485 but before receiving Advance Parole, unless you hold H-1B, L-1, or another dual-intent status. Departure without AP is considered abandonment of your application.
Concurrent Filing: I-140 + I-485
When You Can File Both Together
Concurrent filing is possible when your category is Current in the bulletin, you are in the US, and in lawful status. For EB-1 (always current), concurrent filing is nearly always available. For EB-2, it is available when your country is current - as of April 2026, that means ROW, Mexico, and Philippines.
Benefits of Concurrent Filing (EAD, Travel Document)
Key benefits:
1. EAD within 3-6 months - work for any employer
2. Advance Parole - travel freely
3. Filing date locked in - protection from retrogression
4. No second wait - skip the gap between I-140 approval and I-485 filing
"Filing I-140 and I-485 concurrently was the best decision. My EAD arrived in about 4 months, and suddenly I could freelance, change jobs, take side projects - all while waiting for the green card."
Risks If I-140 Is Denied
If I-140 is denied, your I-485 is automatically denied too. You lose the filing fee ($1,440 per person), EAD, and Advance Parole.
Mitigation: Consider filing I-140 with premium processing ($2,805) first. Get the I-140 decided in 15 days, then file I-485 only after approval. This avoids wasting the I-485 fee on a potentially denied petition.
Filing Strategy for India-Born Applicants
EB-2 India is not current, so concurrent filing under EB-2 is generally unavailable. Strategies include: file EB-1A I-140 + I-485 concurrently (EB-1 is current for India); file EB-2 I-140 now to establish priority date, wait years for it to become current; or dual-file EB-1A and EB-2 NIW simultaneously.
"My I-140 was still pending, but filing dates became current. I used premium processing to get I-140 decided first, then filed I-485 with confidence."
How to Check for Monthly Updates
USCIS Visa Bulletin Page
The official source: travel.state.gov/visa-bulletin. New bulletins typically publish between the 10th and 18th of the preceding month.
USCIS Filing Charts
After the bulletin drops, check which table USCIS is using: uscis.gov filing charts.
Charles Oppenheim Predictions
Charles Oppenheim, former Chief of the State Department’s Immigrant Visa Control Division, regularly predicted future bulletin movements before retiring in 2020. Immigration attorneys who worked with him continue sharing insights. Follow established law firms for monthly analysis.
Community Trackers and Forums
Immigration forums, Telegram groups, attorney blogs, and community spreadsheets track month-over-month movements. The EliteSkillset forum has active discussions about priority dates and filing strategies.
Set a monthly reminder: Check between the 10th and 20th of each month. Bookmark both the State Department page and the USCIS filing chart page.
FAQ
What is a priority date?
Your priority date establishes your place in the visa bulletin queue. For standard EB-2 (employer-sponsored), it is the date your PERM labor certification was filed. For EB-2 NIW, it is the date USCIS received your I-140 (no PERM needed). Find it on Form I-797 (Notice of Action).
Your priority date is permanent. It stays with you even if you change employers, categories, or file a new petition. You can port it from an older petition (e.g., EB-3) to a newer one (e.g., EB-2).
Can my priority date retrogress after I file I-485?
Yes, but it does not cancel your application. Your I-485 pauses until the date becomes current again. Your EAD and Advance Parole remain valid and renewable. No need to re-file - just keep your address updated with USCIS.
What is the difference between EB-2 and EB-3 wait times?
For ROW, both are current. For India, wait times are similar (12+ years each) but fluctuate - sometimes EB-3 India actually has better dates than EB-2 India, which creates a strategy of downgrading from EB-2 to EB-3 and porting the priority date back later. For China, EB-2 (~5 years) is generally shorter than EB-3 (~7 years).
Can I port my priority date from EB-3 to EB-2?
Yes. If you have an approved I-140 in EB-3 and later file a new I-140 in EB-2 (such as NIW), you can retain your earlier priority date. The new petition must be separately approvable on its own merits. This is commonly used by India-born applicants with old EB-3 dates who later qualify for EB-2 NIW.
How does premium processing affect visa bulletin wait?
Premium processing (Form I-907) only speeds up the I-140 decision to 15 business days. It has no effect on the visa bulletin wait, I-485 processing, or your place in the queue.
Premium processing does: Get I-140 decided in 15 business days. Does not: Move the visa bulletin. Speed up I-485. Reduce the backlog wait.
As one community member put it: “What is the point of premium processing for EB-2 NIW? The bulletin is the bulletin, and until your date arrives, you just sit and wait.” Premium is most valuable for confirming I-140 approval before committing to I-485 filing fees.
Related US immigration guides
EB-2 NIW: Complete Guide from Start to Green Card
NIW Requirements: The Dhanasar Three-Prong Test
NIW Processing Time 2026: How Long Each Stage Takes
EB-1A Criteria: Extraordinary Ability Requirements
EB-1A vs NIW: Which Should You File?