Family Categories Record Major Priority Date Advances
The United States Department of State has released its August 2026 Visa Bulletin.
The latest update brings significant progress for several family-sponsored green card categories.
Applicants under the F2A category received the largest advancement.
For most countries, the F2A final action date moved from January 1, 2025, to July 22, 2026.
This represents an advancement of more than 18 months.
The F2A category covers spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents.
However, Mexico has a separate F2A final action date of July 22, 2025.
The F1 category also recorded major progress.
Its final action date moved from February 1, 2018, to December 15, 2018.
F1 applies to unmarried adult sons and daughters of United States citizens.
The F2B final action date advanced from November 22, 2017, to January 1, 2018.
This category covers unmarried adult sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents.
The F3 category moved forward by one month.
Its final action date advanced from April 15, 2012, to May 15, 2012.
F3 applies to married sons and daughters of United States citizens.
The F4 category recorded an eight-month advancement.
Its final action date moved from January 1, 2009, to September 1, 2009.
F4 covers brothers and sisters of adult United States citizens.
Employment Green Card Movement Remains Limited
Employment-based green card applicants saw fewer changes in August.
The EB-1 final action date for China advanced from June 1, 2023, to July 1, 2023.
India’s EB-1 final action date remained unchanged at October 15, 2022.
The EB-2 category remained current for most countries.
China’s EB-2 date stayed at September 1, 2021.
However, EB-2 remained unavailable for India because its annual allocation had already been reached.
The EB-3 final action date for most countries advanced from August 1, 2024, to September 1, 2024.
China’s EB-3 date moved from December 22, 2021, to January 1, 2022.
India’s EB-3 date remained at January 1, 2014.
The Philippines remained at August 1, 2023.
The EB-4 category advanced by one month for all countries.
Its final action date moved from September 15, 2022, to October 15, 2022.
The same date applies to certain religious workers.
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories Remain Current
The EB-5 unreserved category remained current for most countries.
China’s final action date remained at December 1, 2016.
The unreserved EB-5 category remained unavailable for India.
However, all three EB-5 set-aside categories remained current worldwide.
These include rural investment projects, high-unemployment areas and infrastructure projects.
A current category means qualified applicants are not restricted by a final action cut-off date.
The Department of State warned that dates may move backward if demand rises.
A category may also become unavailable if its annual limit is reached.
Applicants should compare their priority dates with the correct country and visa category.
A priority date must generally be earlier than the published final action date for a visa to be issued.
Applicants seeking adjustment of status inside the United States should also check which chart USCIS has authorised for August.
They should prepare civil documents, financial records and application materials when their priority dates become eligible.
