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May 2026🔹Visa Bulletin
The U.S. Dept. of State has released the May 2026 Visa Bulletin, the eighth bulletin of Fiscal Year 2026.
MAY 2026 - USE 'DATES FOR FILING' CHART
STRATEGIC FILING WINDOW - WHAT THIS MEANS
Visa Bulletin: Understanding the Two Charts —
The Visa Bulletin includes two important charts: the Final Action Dates chart and the Dates for Filing chart.
- The Final Action Dates chart (Chart A) still governs when visas are available for approval or issuance.
- The Dates for Filing chart (Chart B) controls when an applicant may submit an adjustment of status application only when USCIS authorizes use of that chart for the month and category.
For May 2026, USCIS is using the Dates for Filing chart for family-sponsored filings and the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based filings.
Family-Based Visas
- In May 2026, for family-sponsored adjustment filings, USCIS is honoring the Dates for Filing chart. This means eligible family-based applicants may be able to file adjustment of status now even if final green card approval remains unavailable under the Final Action Dates chart.
- Family preference categories remain heavily backlogged, especially for Mexico and the Philippines. The Dates for Filing chart continues to matter because it can open earlier filing opportunities in preference categories that remain far from current for final approval. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens remain outside the annual quota system and are not controlled by the Visa Bulletin.
Employment-Based Visas
- In May 2026, for employment-based adjustment filings, USCIS is requiring applicants to use the Final Action Dates chart. Employment-based applicants may file only if their priority date is current under the applicable Final Action Date, unless the category is listed as current.
- This is the major May 2026 change for employment-based applicants. Because USCIS is not using the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based adjustment filings this month, some applicants who may have been eligible to file under Chart B in earlier months may no longer be eligible to file adjustment of status in May.
- The May 2026 Visa Bulletin continues to show significant employment-based backlogs, especially for India and China in EB-2 and EB-3. EB-1 remains the strongest path for applicants with unusually strong records of achievement, while EB-2 National Interest Waiver remains a valuable self-petition option for advanced-degree professionals and others whose work has national importance. At the same time, the shift to Final Action Dates for employment-based filings makes timing, category selection, and long-range status planning especially important.
The Key TakeAWAY
If you are eligible to file, delay is a risk. The Visa Bulletin determines when you can act, and filing windows can narrow quickly as visa demand changes.
For May 2026, family-based applicants may be able to use the Dates for Filing chart, while employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart. If your priority date may allow filing this month, your eligibility should be reviewed promptly before demand shifts, retrogression occurs, or USCIS changes the filing chart in a future month.
MAY 2026 Visa Bulletin Dates
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
The worldwide annual limit for employment-based immigrants remains at least 140,000 visas. Always confirm eligibility before filing. All Other Countries refers to all chargeability areas except those specifically listed.
EB-1 Priority Workers
EB-1st Preference: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries – Current
China – 01 Dec 2023
India – 01 Dec 2023
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries – Current
China – 01 Apr 2023
India – 01 Apr 2023
EB-2 Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability (including NIW)
EB-2nd Preference: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries – Current
China – 01 Jan 2022
India –15 Jan 2015
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries – Current
China – 01 Sep 2021
India – 15 Jul 2014
EB-3 Professionals & Skilled Workers
EB-3rd Preference: 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which may be allocated to “Other Workers.”
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries – Current
China – 01 Jan 2022
India – 15 Jan 2015
Philippines - 01 Jan 2024
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries – 01 Jun 2024
China – 01 Feb 2019
India – 15 Nov 2013
Philippines – 01 Aug 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries –01 Aug 2022
China –01 Oct 2019
India – 15 Jan 2015
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries – 01 Feb 2022
China – 01 Feb 2019
India – 15 Jan 2015
Philippines - 01 Jan 2023
EB-4 Special Immigrants (including SIJS)
EB-4th Preference: 7.1% of the worldwide level.
⚠ The non-minister religious worker program is authorized only through January 30, 2026. The minister category remains permanent.
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Countries – 01 Jan 2023
Certain Religious Workers All Countries – 01 Jan 2023
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Countries – 15 Jul 2022
Certain Religious Workers All Countries – 15 Jul 2022
EB-5 Investors
EB-5th Preference: Employment Creation accounts for 7.1% of the worldwide level, of which 32% are reserved (20% rural, 10% high-unemployment, 2% infrastructure). The remaining 68% are unreserved.
🔹EB-5 Unreserved
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries – Current
China – 01 Mar 2017
India – 01 May 2024
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries – Current
China – 15 Sep 2016
India – 01 May 2022
🔹 EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure)
- Dates for Filing: Current worldwide
- Final Action Dates: Current worldwide
🔹Family-based CATEGORIES
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
The statutory family-sponsored annual limit for FY 2026 is 226,000 visas, with per-country limits applying to oversubscribed nations such as China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines. All Other Countries refers to all chargeability areas except those specifically listed.
Notes for Understanding:
- Immediate relatives are not subject to annual visa limits. For purposes of immigration law, "immediate relatives" are spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens 21 or older.
- A U.S. citizen aged 21 or older can file an I-130 for a parent as an “immediate relative.”
- A lawful permanent resident cannot petition for a parent at all.
- A minor U.S. citizen (under 21) also cannot file an I-130 for a parent.
F1 – Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries –01 Oct 2018
Philippines - 22 Apr 2015
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries - 01 Sep 2017
Mexico - 15 Aug 2007
Philippines: 01 May 2013
F2A – Spouses and children of permanent residents
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Countries: Current
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries: 01 Aug 2024
Mexico: 01 Aug 2023
F2B – Unmarried sons and daughters (21+) of permanent residents
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries: 01 Jan 2018
Mexico: 15 May 2010
Philippines: 01 Oct 2013
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries: 22 May 2017
Mexico: 15 Feb 2009
Philippines: 08 Apr 2013
F3 – Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries: 08 Dec 2012
Mexico: 15 Jul 2001
Philippines: 08 Aug 2006
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries: 15 Feb 2012
Mexico: 01 May 2001
Philippines: 22 Nov 2005
F4 – Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries: 1 Sept 2009
India: 15 Dec 2006
Mexico: 30 Apr 2001
Philippines: 22 Mar 2008
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries: 15 Sept 2008
India: 01 Nov 2006
Mexico: 08 Apr 2001
Philippines: 15 Jul 2007
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DISCLAIMER: This website provides general information about immigration rules and eligibility. It is not legal advice, tax advice, or a substitute for individualized consultation. Immigration outcomes depend on your specific circumstances. For advice tailored to your case, schedule a consultation with Kennedy Law.
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