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The U.S. Department of State released its Visa Bulletin for July 2026. This monthly update is important if you're waiting for a green card because it shows how long you might have to wait.
Every month, USCIS announces whether applicants already living in the United States should file their "adjustment of status" applications based on the "Final Action Dates" or the "Dates for Filing." For July, applicants must follow the “Dates for Filing” chart for family-based and "Final Action Dates"f or employment-based categories.
July 2026 Visa Bulletin Summary
Family-sponsored categories saw modest forward movement in July. The F1 category advanced three months for most countries. F2B moved forward about 2.5 months, and F4 advanced just over two months for applicants from most countries and China. All other family-sponsored categories remained unchanged.
Employment-based categories saw a mix of advances and setbacks. In EB-1, India retrogressed by two months, while China advanced by two months. EB-2 India became unavailable. EB-3 moved forward, with China advancing 4.5 months and most countries, including Mexico, advancing two months. EB-4 advanced two months across all countries. In EB-5, the Unreserved category for China advanced about 2.5 months, while the Unreserved category for India became unavailable.
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If you’re already familiar with those terms, scroll down to our summary of key developments or to the filing category that’s most relevant to you:
Family-based categories
- F-1: Unmarried Children (Age 21 and Older) of U.S. Citizens
- F-2A: Spouses and Unmarried Children (Under Age 21) of U.S. Green Card Holders
- F-2B: Unmarried Children (Age 21 or Older) of U.S. Green Card Holders
- F-3: Married Children of U.S. Citizens
- F-4: Siblings of U.S. Citizens
Employment-based categories
- EB-1: Extraordinary People, Outstanding Researchers and Professors, and Multinational Executives and Managers
- EB-2: Exceptional People and Advanced Degree Holders
- EB-3: Bachelor’s Degree Holders, Skilled Workers, and Unskilled Workers
- EB-4: Special Immigrants
- EB-5: Investors
Family-Based Green Card Backlogs
F-1: Unmarried Children (Age 21 and Older) of U.S. Citizens
F-2A: Spouses and Unmarried Children (Under Age 21) of U.S. Green Card Holders
F-2B: Unmarried Children (Age 21 or Older) of U.S. Green Card Holders
F-3: Married Children of U.S. Citizens
F-4: Siblings of U.S. Citizens
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Employment-Based Green Card Backlogs
EB-1: Extraordinary People, Outstanding Researchers and Professors, and Multinational Executives and Managers
EB-2: Exceptional People and Advanced Degree Holders
EB-3: Skilled Worker or Professional
EB-3: Other Worker
EB-4: "Special Immigrants" Category
EB-5: "Investors" Category
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What is my priority date? This is usually the date your green card application petition was initially filed. Check your paperwork or consult with an immigration attorney if you’re unsure.
What if my country has a backlog? Some countries have longer wait times than others due to high demand. This means cut-off dates may move slower and sometimes even go backward (this is called retrogression).
How long will I have to wait? Unfortunately, the Visa Bulletin can’t give you an exact answer. The wait time depends on your category and country backlog. It’s helpful to track patterns in your category over multiple months to get a better sense.
The Visa Bulletin can be confusing. We’ve put together a guide to help you understand it and find your priority date: How to Read the Visa Bulletin.
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