May 2026 US Visa Bulletin

The US Department of State has released the May 2026 Visa Bulletin (publication code 9514), which records significant advancements in both Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing across family-sponsored and employment-based categories. According to the announcement issued on 02/04/2026, the global immigrant visa quota for the 2026 fiscal year remains at 226,000 for family-sponsored categories and a minimum of 140,000 for employment-based categories.

Family-sponsored categories: significant progress in many areas

According to the Final Action Date table for May 2026, the F1 category for unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens reached 01/09/2017 for most countries, with Mexico at 15/08/2007 and the Philippines at 01/05/2013. The F2A category for spouses and children of permanent residents reached 01/08/2024 for most countries, with Mexico at 01/08/2023.

The F2B category for unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older of permanent residents reached 22/05/2017 for most countries. The F3 category for married sons and daughters of US citizens is at 15/02/2012, while the F4 category for siblings of US citizens is at 15/09/2008 for most countries, with India at 01/11/2006, Mexico at 08/04/2001, and the Philippines at 15/07/2007.

In the Date for Filing table for family-sponsored categories, F2A is listed as CURRENT for all countries, allowing applicants in this group to file regardless of their priority date. F1 is at 01/10/2018, F2B at 01/01/2018, F3 at 08/12/2012, and F4 at 01/09/2009 for most countries.

Employment-based categories: EB-1 and EB-2 worldwide remain current

The Final Action Date table for employment-based categories shows: Visa EB-1 remains CURRENT for most countries, while China and India are both at 01/04/2023. Visa EB-2 is also CURRENT for most countries, with China at 01/09/2021 and India at 15/07/2014.

Visa EB-3 for skilled workers and professionals is at 01/06/2024 for most countries, with China at 15/06/2021 and India at 15/11/2013. The Other Workers (EW) category is at 01/02/2022 for most countries, with India at 15/11/2013. The EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers categories are both at 15/07/2022 for all countries.

EB-5 category: worldwide current, India faces risk of retrogression

Visa EB-5 Unreserved is CURRENT for most countries in the Final Action Date table, while China is at 22/09/2016 and India is at 01/05/2022. All three Set-Aside groups, including Rural 20%, High Unemployment 10%, and Infrastructure 2%, are CURRENT for all countries in both tables.

The US Department of State issued a specific warning for EB-5 India in section E of the bulletin. According to the agency, demand and visa usage for India in the EB-5 Unreserved categories are increasing, which may necessitate a retrogression of the Final Action Date or moving the category to Unavailable to remain within the 2026 fiscal year limits. The Department stated that the situation will be monitored continuously and adjusted as necessary.

In the Date for Filing table, EB-5 Unreserved is CURRENT for most countries, with China at 01/03/2017 and India at 01/05/2024.

Reasons for the advancement of many dates

According to section D of the bulletin, the rate of immigrant visa issuance for citizens of certain countries has decreased due to various administrative actions by the government to protect national security, public safety, and US interests. The grounds cited by the Department of State include Presidential Proclamation 10949, Presidential Proclamation 10998, and updated immigrant visa processing procedures for nationalities with high risks regarding public charge.

To maintain visa issuance under sections 201–203 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the Department of State stated that Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates have been advanced in many visa categories to utilize remaining visas in the 2026 fiscal year. The Department warned that retrogression may become necessary later if demand arises or administrative measures are adjusted.

Diversity Visa category and the 2026 annual cap

The DV-2026 limit has decreased from the initial 55,000 to approximately 52,000 following adjustments under NACARA and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. For May 2026, the DV visa issuance cut-offs by region are listed: Africa 55,000 (Algeria 37,000, Egypt 30,000), Asia 35,000 (Nepal 10,000), Europe 20,000, North America (Bahamas) 50, Oceania 1,500, South America and the Caribbean 3,000.

The Department of State notes that DV immigration rights only last until the end of the selected fiscal year, which is 30/09/2026 for DV-2026. Visas may be exhausted before this date.

The bulletin for June 2026 has been released preliminarily with the cut-off for Nepal raised to 11,000, while other regions remain unchanged.

Visa Bulletin on the official US government website, accessible at here.