Every month, the U.S. Department of State publishes a document called the “Visa Bulletin.” It answers the single question that millions of people waiting in the Green Card line care about most: “When will it be my turn?”
At first glance, the bulletin looks like a confusing wall of dates and abbreviations. In this post, we break down the August 2026 bulletin step by step, in language anyone can follow.
First, Two Key Concepts
To read the bulletin, you need to understand two different types of dates. Most of the confusion comes from mixing these two up:
Dates for Filing: This shows when you can open your Green Card application file. In other words, it’s the date you’re allowed to start gathering your documents and submitting them into the system. This is the first step of the process.
Final Action Dates: This is the date your Green Card can actually be approved. Even if your file is ready, the real approval and issuance of the visa depends on this date. This is the final step of the process.
A simple analogy: Dates for Filing is the moment you get in line and start handing over your paperwork, while Final Action Dates is the moment your name is called and your card is handed to you.
What Is a Priority Date?
To read the dates in the bulletin, you first need to know your own “Priority Date.” This is the date your petition was officially accepted for processing, and it determines your place in line. The rule is:
If your priority date is earlier than the date listed in the chart, your turn has come.
The charts also use two letters:
C (Current): The category is “current.” Everyone can move forward, regardless of priority date.
U (Unavailable): No visa numbers are available for that month, so no action can be taken.
This Month’s Important Note: Why Did the Dates Move Forward?
One notable feature of the August 2026 bulletin: the State Department says that visa issuance rates have dropped for certain countries because of administrative actions. As a result, to avoid wasting the visa slots available in fiscal year 2026, both filing dates and final action dates have been moved forward in many categories for applicants from other countries.
But there’s a warning too: as demand rises, dates may move backward (retrogression) in the coming months, or some categories may become “Unavailable.” In short, when your turn comes, it’s important to act without delay.
Family-Sponsored Categories
These are applications sponsored by a close relative who is a U.S. citizen or a green card holder:
F1: Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
F2A: Spouses and children of permanent residents (green card holders)
F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of permanent residents
F3: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
F4: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens
| Category | All Other Countries | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 15 Dec 2018 | 15 Dec 2018 | 15 Dec 2018 | 01 Dec 2007 | 01 May 2013 |
| F2A | 22 Jul 2026 | 22 Jul 2026 | 22 Jul 2026 | 22 Jul 2025 | 22 Jul 2026 |
| F2B | 01 Jan 2018 | 01 Jan 2018 | 01 Jan 2018 | 15 Feb 2009 | 01 Jun 2013 |
| F3 | 15 May 2012 | 15 May 2012 | 15 May 2012 | 01 Jul 2001 | 22 Feb 2006 |
| F4 | 01 Sep 2009 | 01 Sep 2009 | 01 Nov 2006 | 08 Apr 2001 | 01 Aug 2007 |
| Category | All Other Countries | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 15 Jun 2019 | 15 Jun 2019 | 15 Jun 2019 | 01 Dec 2008 | 22 Apr 2015 |
| F2A | C (Current) | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 01 Jan 2019 | 01 Jan 2019 | 01 Jan 2019 | 15 May 2010 | 01 Oct 2013 |
| F3 | 01 Mar 2013 | 01 Mar 2013 | 01 Mar 2013 | 15 Jul 2001 | 08 Aug 2006 |
| F4 | 22 Jun 2010 | 22 Jun 2010 | 15 Dec 2006 | 30 Apr 2001 | 22 Mar 2008 |
Worth noting: In the F2A category, the filing date is “C” (current) for all countries. That means spouses and children of green card holders can open their file right away, regardless of priority date.
Employment-Based Categories
These are applications based on work or investment:
EB-1: Priority workers (people of extraordinary ability, managers)
EB-2: People with advanced degrees or exceptional ability
EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers
EB-4: Certain special immigrants (e.g., some religious workers)
EB-5: Immigration through investment (job creation)
| Category | All Other Countries | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 01 Jul 2023 | 15 Oct 2022 | C | C |
| EB-2 | C | 01 Sep 2021 | U | C | C |
| EB-3 | 01 Sep 2024 | 01 Jan 2022 | 01 Jan 2014 | 01 Sep 2024 | 01 Aug 2023 |
| Other Workers | 01 Apr 2022 | 01 May 2019 | 01 Jan 2014 | 01 Apr 2022 | 01 Dec 2021 |
| EB-4 | 15 Oct 2022 | 15 Oct 2022 | 15 Oct 2022 | 15 Oct 2022 | 15 Oct 2022 |
| EB-5 (Unreserved) | C | 01 Dec 2016 | U | C | C |
| EB-5 (Rural / High Unemployment / Infrastructure) | C | C | C | C | C |
| Category | All Other Countries | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 01 Dec 2023 | 01 Dec 2023 | C | C |
| EB-2 | C | 01 Jan 2022 | 15 Jan 2015 | C | C |
| EB-3 | C | 08 Jan 2022 | 15 Jan 2015 | C | 01 Jan 2024 |
| Other Workers | 01 Aug 2022 | 01 Oct 2019 | 15 Jan 2015 | 01 Aug 2022 | 01 Aug 2022 |
| EB-4 | 01 Jan 2023 | 01 Jan 2023 | 01 Jan 2023 | 01 Jan 2023 | 01 Jan 2023 |
| EB-5 (Unreserved) | C | 01 Mar 2017 | 01 May 2024 | C | C |
| EB-5 (Rural / High Unemployment / Infrastructure) | C | C | C | C | C |
Important Warnings:
EB-1 India: Due to heavy demand, this category may become “Unavailable” in the coming weeks. India’s annual limit could run out before the fiscal year ends.
EB-2 (General): Because of rising demand, the date may move backward in the coming months, or the category may close entirely.
Green Card Lottery (The Diversity Visa)
The DV program hands out visas each year, by lottery, to people from countries that have sent few immigrants to the U.S. over the past five years. About 52,000 visas are expected for fiscal year 2026. No single country can receive more than 7% of the available visas in one year.
DV applicants check whether their regional lottery rank number is below the cut-off number shown in the bulletin.
| Region | Other Countries | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 60,000 | Algeria: 51,250 • Egypt: 36,000 |
| Asia | 40,000 | Nepal: 13,500 |
| Europe | 29,000 | — |
| North America (Bahamas) | Current | — |
| Oceania | 2,050 | — |
| South America and the Caribbean | 4,000 | — |
| Region | Other Countries | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 101,250 | Algeria: 85,000 • Egypt: 50,000 |
| Asia | 40,000 | Nepal: 13,500 |
| Europe | 47,500 | — |
| North America (Bahamas) | Current | — |
| Oceania | 3,000 | — |
| South America and the Caribbean | 4,750 | — |
Critical reminder:
DV-2026 eligibility is valid only through September 30, 2026. After that date, no visas can be issued to DV-2026 applicants or their spouses and children. The numbers could also run out before September 30, so it’s important not to be late once your turn opens up.
In Short, What Should You Do?
Find your priority date. The date your petition was accepted determines your place in line.
Look at the right chart. Use “Dates for Filing” to open your file, and “Final Action Dates” for final approval. (If you’re adjusting status inside the U.S., check uscis.gov/visabulletininfo to see which chart USCIS accepts this month.)
Pick the column for your country. China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines have their own columns; everyone else uses the first column.
Compare the date. If your priority date is earlier than the date in the chart, your turn has come.
This post is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. You should consult an immigration attorney about your specific situation. For the most current official information, visit travel.state.gov.
Conclusion and Advice
The Visa Bulletin changes every month, and a favorable picture one month can reverse the next. Checking your priority date regularly — especially at the start of each month when the new bulletin is released — is essential.
We recommend working with an immigration attorney to assess your situation, plan the timing of your filing, and stay prepared in case dates are pulled back.
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