The United States Department of State has released its Visa Bulletin for June 2026, bringing disappointing news for Green Card applicants from India. The bulletin reveals a retrogression in the final action dates for the Employment-Based First Preference (EB-1) and Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2) categories for Indian nationals. This setback is attributed to high demand and heavy visa usage.
Understanding Retrogression
For those unfamiliar with the term, retrogression means that the queue for visa applications has grown longer, and the cutoff dates for completing applications have moved backward in time. In simple terms, applicants now face longer waiting periods.
Reasons Behind the Retrogression
The State Department explained that high demand and number usage by individuals chargeable to India in the EB-1 and EB-2 categories have necessitated the retrogression of final action dates. This measure is intended to keep number use within the annual limits for Fiscal Year 2026. The department warned that further retrogression or even temporary unavailability of these categories could occur in the coming months if the pro-rated limits for India are reached before the fiscal year ends.
EB-5 Unreserved Category Warning
The bulletin also includes a caution for the EB-5 unreserved category. It states that sufficient demand and increased number use by Indian applicants in this category may lead to retrogression of the final action date or make the category unavailable as early as the next month.
Other Countries Affected
Beyond India, the bulletin highlights potential issues for other countries. For China, sufficient demand and increased number use in the EB-2 category may necessitate retrogression or unavailability in the coming months. Similarly, the Philippines faces possible retrogression or unavailability in the EB-3 category due to high demand.
Ongoing Monitoring
The State Department emphasized that it will continuously monitor the situation and make necessary adjustments to ensure compliance with annual limits. Applicants are advised to stay updated with future bulletins for any changes.
