U.S. June 2026 Visa Bulletin Updates

The U.S. Department of State releases its Visa Bulletin every month, guiding millions of people who are either pursuing a Green Card or planning to do so. The June 2026 bulletin brings important updates across both family-based and employment-based categories.

While some categories moved forward, others – particularly for applicants from India saw significant retrogression. In this post, we break down each category one by one, explaining who can file in June and what these dates actually mean in practice.

Understanding the Visa Bulletin: Two Key Charts

The Visa Bulletin publishes two main charts each month:

• Dates for Filing: Shows when an applicant can submit their Green Card application package.

• Final Action Dates: The date on which a Green Card can actually be approved.

USCIS announces separately each month which chart applies. For June 2026, the decision is:

• Family-based applications: Use Dates for Filing

• Employment-based applications: Use Final Action Dates

This means it’s a more flexible month for family-based applicants, while employment-based applicants will need to look at the more restrictive chart.

There’s also the concept of a “priority date.” Your priority date is the date your relative or employer filed the petition (Form I-130 or I-140) with USCIS on your behalf. If the date listed for your country in the bulletin is later than your priority date, your turn has come.

Family-Based Categories

F1-Unmarried Adult Children (21+) of U.S. Citizens:

No movement in F1 for any country this month. Dates for Filing remain stuck at October 1, 2018 for all other countries, China, and India. Mexico is waiting in 2008, and the Philippines somewhere between 2013 and 2015.

Example: If a father filed a petition for his U.S.-citizen daughter back in 2015, she still can’t move to the application stage the date needs to pass October 2018 first.

F2A – Spouses and Minor Children (Under 21) of Green Card Holders:

Dates for Filing is CURRENT for all countries, meaning anyone can file regardless of their priority date. Final Action Dates moved to January 1, 2025 for all other countries, China, India, and the Philippines – a 5-month jump compared to May. Mexico stands at January 1, 2024.

Example: A Green Card holder who filed Form I-130 for their spouse at the end of 2024 can immediately open their I-485 application.

F2B-Unmarried Adult Children (21+) of Green Card Holders:

About a 3-4 month forward movement compared to May. Dates for Filing for all other countries, China, and India is now March 22, 2018, with Final Action Dates at September 22, 2017. Mexico and the Philippines are waiting somewhere between 2009 and 2013.

Example: A still-unmarried 25-year-old son whose petition was filed in early 2017 can begin preparing his documents this month.

F3-Married Children of U.S. Citizens:

No movement this month. For all other countries, China, and India, Dates for Filing is December 8, 2012, and Final Action Dates is February 15, 2012. The average wait is 13-14 years.

Example: A U.S.-citizen mother who filed for her married son in 2010 – that son has now reached the application stage.

F4-Siblings of U.S. Citizens:

Despite being the slowest category, F4 saw a 4-month forward movement. For all other countries and China, Dates for Filing is December 22, 2009, and Final Action Dates is November 8, 2008.

Example: Someone whose U.S.-citizen sibling filed for them in the summer of 2008 can prepare their documents this month.

Employment-Based Categories

EB-1-Priority Workers:

CURRENT for most countries. However, India retrogressed by 3.5 months and dropped to December 15, 2022. China remains steady at April 1, 2023.

Example: An internationally recognized researcher can open their Green Card application directly once their I-140 is approved no waiting required.

EB-2-Advanced Degree Professionals / Persons of Exceptional Ability:

CURRENT for most countries. India retrogressed by a full 10 months, dropping to September 1, 2013-the bulletin’s harshest movement.

Example: For engineers, doctors, and academics with master’s or doctoral degrees from most countries, EB-2 is extremely advantageous – filing and approval can happen at the same time.

EB-3-Skilled Workers:

For all other countries, Dates for Filing is CURRENT and Final Action Dates is June 1, 2024. A reasonable category for most applicants. A retrogression warning was issued for the Philippines.

Example: A professional who received a job offer in a position requiring a bachelor’s degree, with their PERM completed in 2024, is close to Green Card approval this month.

EB-3 Other Workers – Unskilled Workers:

For all other countries: August 1, 2022 / February 1, 2022. This category moves slowly due to its annual cap of 10,000 visas.

Example: An applicant who received a job offer in a non-degree position back in 2021 may receive approval this month.

EB-4-Special Immigrants:

The same for all countries: January 1, 2023 / July 15, 2022.

Example: A religious worker whose petition was filed in early 2022 can open their application this month.

EB-5 Unreserved – Standard Investors:

CURRENT for most countries. A retrogression warning was issued for India for next month.

Example: For an investor making a standard EB-5 investment, both filing and approval are open.

EB-5 Set Aside – Rural, High-Unemployment, and Infrastructure Investments:

CURRENT for all countries. This is the fastest Green Card route available – for Chinese and Indian investors as well.

Example: Even an Indian investor making a qualifying investment in a rural area is not affected by the retrogression in standard EB-5.

Diversity Visa (DV Lottery)

June and July rank numbers for DV-2026 selectees:

Warning: DV-2026 visas cannot be issued after September 30, 2026 – and numbers may run out before then.

Warnings for the Coming Months

The State Department noted that, due to processing slowdowns tied to national security reviews, unused visa numbers are being reallocated to other countries. While this accelerates the dates, retrogression could occur in any category in the coming months if demand picks up.

Specific retrogression warnings have been issued for EB-1 and EB-2 China, EB-3 Philippines, and EB-5 India.

Conclusion and Advice

June 2026 is a positive month for family-based applicants. The picture is more mixed for employment-based applicants:

• EB-1, EB-2, and EB-5 are largely open for most countries, while Indian nationals are facing serious delays.

• Currently open categories can close at any moment. While the opportunity is still here, the smartest move is to consult an immigration attorney and take action.