Visa Bulletin: May 2026 Priority Dates

If you're waiting for a green card through a family-based or employment-based preference category, the monthly visa bulletin determines when you can move forward. Published by the U.S. Department of State, this document controls the availability of immigrant numbers under the numerical limits set by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

This Visa Bulletin 2026 guide covers the May update: what changed, how to read the charts, and what the updates mean for family-sponsored preference and employment-based preference categories. Whether you're tracking green card news or checking visa bulletin predictions, this guide helps immigrant visa applicants understand their next steps.

What Is the Visa Bulletin?

The visa bulletin is a monthly publication that controls when you can move forward in the green card process. The Department of State publishes it to show immigrant visa availability across all preference categories.

The INA caps green cards annually: family-sponsored preferences receive approximately 226,000 visas per fiscal year, while employment-based preferences receive at least 140,000. The U.S. government enforces a per-country limit that restricts any single country to seven percent of the total annual limit (approximately 25,620 visa numbers for fiscal year 2026). This creates longer backlogs for oversubscribed chargeability areas, particularly China (mainland born), India, Mexico, and the Philippines.

Two Charts Explained

The visa bulletin contains two separate charts. Knowing the difference determines when you can take action.

Final Action Dates

This chart shows when visa numbers are available for issuance. When your priority date is earlier than the final action date listed for your category and country, USCIS can approve your adjustment of status application or the consulate can issue your immigrant visa.

Dates for Filing

This chart shows when applicants may file Form I-485 (adjustment of status) or submit documents to the National Visa Center. Filing earlier lets you obtain work authorization while waiting for final approval.

Each month, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announces which chart to use at their website.

Important note: For May 2026, family-sponsored applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart, while employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart. This is the first time in over six months that USCIS has required EB applicants to use the Final Action Dates chart, meaning some applicants who were eligible to file under the more permissive Dates for Filing chart in April may lose that eligibility after April ends.

Tracking USCIS processing times alongside visa bulletin dates helps you anticipate when final approval might occur.

Key Terms Explained

Before using the visa bulletin, you need to understand several key terms. These concepts appear throughout the charts and determine your place in line, when you can file, and whether you need to wait. Knowing what each term means helps you interpret the bulletin correctly and take action at the right time.

Priority Date: The date your petition (Form I-130 or I-140) was filed with USCIS. Find it on your Form I-797 approval notice. This establishes your place in line.

Cut-Off Date: The priority date that can be reached within numerical limits. If your priority date is earlier, you may proceed. If later, you must wait.

Chart Designations:

• "C" (Current): All qualified applicants may file regardless of priority date
• "U" (Unavailable): No immigrant numbers available
• Specific date: Only priority dates earlier than listed may proceed

Retrogression: When cut-off dates move backward due to demand exceeding supply. Visa categories retrogress when too many foreign nationals apply within a fiscal year. This commonly affects China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines.

With these terms in mind, here's what changed in May 2026.

May 2026 Summary of Key Changes

This month's visa bulletin brings a key change: employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart instead of Dates for Filing. This may delay filing eligibility for some preference immigrant applicants. Family preference categories continue using Dates for Filing.

EB-2 shows a Final Action Date of 'Current' (C) for All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed — meaning all qualified applicants from most countries may proceed regardless of priority date. Note that the Dates for Filing chart lists a specific cut-off of 01MAY26 for this group, but since USCIS is using the Final Action Dates chart for EB applicants in May, the 'Current' designation is what governs.

Important note: The Department of State has warned about potential EB-5 retrogression for India due to increasing demand from Indian foreign nationals.

Family-Sponsored Updates

• F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): Dates remain stable across all countries
• Mexico and Philippines: Both countries face substantial backlogs across F-1 through F-4 categories, with some dates reaching back to the early 2000s

Employment-Based Updates

• EB-1: Current for most countries; China and India at 01APR23
• EB-2: Current for All Other Areas; India backlogged to 15JUL14; China at 01SEP21
• EB-3 (Skilled Workers and Professionals): All Other Areas at 01JUN24; India at 15NOV13; China at 15JUN21
• EB-5 Reserved categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure): All current

The sections below break down each family-sponsored and employment-based preference category in detail.

Family-Sponsored Preference Categories

Family-sponsored preference categories are governed by Section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and divided into four groups based on relationship to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

F-1: Unmarried Children of U.S. Citizens

This category covers unmarried sons and daughters age 21 and older. May 2026 Final Action Dates: All areas 01SEP17; Mexico 15AUG07; Philippines 01MAY13.

F-2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

This category covers spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents. It receives 77% of the second preference allocation. May 2026 Final Action Dates: All areas 01AUG24; Mexico 01AUG23.

F-2B: Unmarried Adult Children of Permanent Residents

This category covers unmarried sons and daughters age 21 and older. May 2026 Final Action Dates: All areas 22MAY17; Mexico 15FEB09; Philippines 08APR13.

F-3: Married Children of U.S. Citizens

This category covers married sons and daughters. May 2026 Final Action Dates: All areas 15FEB12; Mexico 01MAY01; Philippines 22NOV05.

F-4: Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

This category covers siblings of U.S. citizens age 21 or older. May 2026 Final Action Dates: All areas 15SEP08; India 01NOV06; Mexico 08APR01; Philippines 15JUL07.

While family-sponsored categories depend on relationships, employment-based categories depend on your qualifications and employer sponsorship.

Employment-Based Preference Categories

Employment-based immigrant visas are divided into five categories under Section 203(b) of the INA, with at least 140,000 visas allocated annually. Our guides on H-1B Visa, L-1 Visa, and O-1A Visa explain how temporary status holders transition to employment-based green cards.

EB-1: Priority Workers

This category covers individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives and managers. No labor certification is required. May 2026 dates: Current for All Other Areas, Mexico, and Philippines; China and India at 01APR23.

EB-2: Advanced Degree and Exceptional Ability

This category requires a master's degree or higher, or exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business. It includes National Interest Waiver (NIW) petitions. May 2026 dates: Current for All Other Areas, Mexico, and Philippines; China at 01SEP21; India at 15JUL14.

EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers

This category covers skilled workers with two or more years of experience, professionals with bachelor's degrees, and other workers. May 2026 dates for skilled workers and professionals: All Other Areas at 01JUN24; China at 15JUN21; India at 15NOV13; Philippines at 01AUG23. Other workers: All Other Areas at 01FEB22; China at 01FEB19; India at 15NOV13.

EB-4: Special Immigrants

This category covers religious workers and other special immigrants. May 2026 dates: 15JUL22 across all countries.

EB-5: Immigrant Investors

The EB-5 category has both reserved and unreserved classifications. Reserved categories (Rural at 20%, High Unemployment at 10%, Infrastructure at 2%) are all current. Unreserved visas (68% of the allocation) are current for most countries, with China at 22SEP16 and India at 01MAY22. The Department of State has warned that India demand is increasing and retrogression may occur later in fiscal year 2026.

Once you know your category and dates, the next step is learning how to use the charts.

How to Use the Visa Bulletin

To determine your eligibility, start by gathering four pieces of information:

• Priority date: Found on your Form I-797 approval notice
• Preference category: Family-sponsored (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4) or employment-based (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, EB-5)
• Country of chargeability: Usually your country of birth
• Designated chart: Check USCIS each month to confirm whether to use Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing

Reading the charts

Once you have your information, follow these steps:

1. Find your preference category row in the appropriate chart
2. Locate your country column (or "All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed" if your country is not specified)
3. Compare your priority date to the cut-off date shown
4. If your priority date is earlier than the cut-off, or if the category shows "C," you may proceed

Next steps when your date is current

Family-sponsored applicants:

• Work with the National Visa Center to complete processing, or
• File Form I-485 directly with USCIS if you are in the United States

Employment-based applicants:

• Coordinate with your employer or attorney to file an adjustment of status application
• Ensure your employer remains in compliance throughout the process

Both tracks require:

• Medical examination (Form I-693)
• Financial evidence (Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for family-sponsored; employment letter for employment-based)
• Civil documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances)

Beyond these steps, several special factors may affect your timeline.

Special Considerations

Several factors beyond your category and country affect your timeline. Understanding these considerations helps you plan realistically and avoid surprises during the green card process. The sections below cover per-country limits, fiscal year timing, and exemptions that may apply to your situation.

• Per-Country Limits: China (mainland born), India, Mexico, and the Philippines face longer waits due to high demand relative to the seven percent limit. Countries like Nepal, Algeria, Egypt, Uzbekistan, and Iran fall under "All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed" and typically have shorter waits. If you hold a TN Visa, planning around these backlogs helps set realistic expectations.
• Fiscal Year Impact: The annual limit resets each October 1. For May 2026, dates have advanced broadly because consular immigrant visa issuance has slowed significantly — a result of the Trump administration's nationality-based travel ban affecting nationals of nearly 40 countries and an immigrant visa processing pause covering nationals of 75 countries. This has freed up visa numbers, pushing dates forward. However, if these policies are reversed or demand increases, retrogression remains possible later in the fiscal year.
• Immediate Relative Exemption: Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens qualify as immediate relatives and are exempt from visa bulletin waiting periods. These applicants can file for adjustment of status immediately upon petition approval.

Given this complexity, professional guidance can help.

Get Support for Your Green Card Application

The green card process requires coordination across the Department of State, USCIS, and the National Visa Center. Each stage involves documentation requirements, strict deadlines, and compliance considerations. Missing a filing window when your priority date becomes current can delay your case by months or years.

Lighthouse helps navigate this complexity through eligibility diagnostics, PERM recruitment guidance and compliance documentation, and thorough preparation for Forms I-140 and I-485. Our platform tracks your timeline based on monthly Visa Bulletin updates and coordinates dependent applications to keep your family's filings aligned.

Our approach combines experienced case managers with technology: hands-on support, expert legal review, and precise deadline coordination.

Start your green card evaluation today.

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions address common concerns about reading the visa bulletin and determining next steps.

What is my priority date and where do I find it?

Your priority date is the date your immigrant petition (Form I-130 or Form I-140) was filed with USCIS. Find it on your Form I-797 approval notice. This date determines your place in line within your preference category and country of chargeability.

Which chart should I use for May 2026?

For May 2026, family-sponsored applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart, while employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart. This is a change from previous months. Check the USCIS visa bulletin information page for official monthly confirmation, and check your USCIS case status online to confirm where you stand.

Why do India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines have different dates?

The INA limits any single country to seven percent of total annual preference allocations. High demand from these countries creates longer backlogs compared to the "All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed" column. An applicant from India in EB-2 may wait over a decade while an applicant from Canada may be current immediately.

What does retrogression mean and how does it affect me?

Retrogression occurs when cut-off dates move backward instead of forward due to demand exceeding supply. The Department of State has warned that EB-5 India may face retrogression later in fiscal year 2026. If retrogression affects your category, you may need to wait longer even if you were previously eligible to file.

How can Lighthouse help with my green card application?

Lighthouse provides eligibility evaluation, PERM guidance, Form I-140 and I-485 preparation, dependent coordination, and timeline tracking based on monthly Visa Bulletin updates. Our team combines legal expertise with technology to meet USCIS requirements. This is valuable for applicants in backlogged categories who need to file quickly when dates advance, or for employers sponsoring multiple foreign nationals.

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