The US Department of State has released its June 2026 Visa Bulletin, delivering a substantial blow to Indian professionals awaiting employment-based green cards. After several months of cautious optimism due to gradual forward movement, the latest bulletin shows significant retrogression in key categories, extending the already lengthy wait times for many applicants.
EB-1 and EB-2 Categories Face Major Setbacks
For Indian applicants in the employment-based first preference (EB-1) and second preference (EB-2) categories, the June 2026 bulletin marks one of the most severe reversals in recent memory. The Final Action Date for India's EB-1 category, designated for priority workers, has retrogressed by nearly three and a half months, moving back to December 15, 2022. Even more impactful, the EB-2 category for advanced degree professionals and those with exceptional ability has moved backwards by more than ten months, settling on September 1, 2013.
This sharp retrogression comes despite earlier 2026 bulletins showing notable gains, which had fostered hope among Indian applicants caught in decade-long backlogs. The State Department attributes these shifts to rising demand pressure and tighter visa availability within these heavily backlogged categories.
Limited Progress in Other Categories
While EB-1 and EB-2 faced significant setbacks, other employment-based categories saw more modest changes. The EB-3 category, for skilled workers and professionals, along with the "Other Workers" category, advanced slightly by one month. The EB-5 Unreserved category for India remained unchanged at May 1, 2022, though the State Department warned of potential future retrogression or unavailability due to increasing demand.
Filing Dates Remain Stable
In contrast to the Final Action Dates, the Dates for Filing chart for all employment-based categories for India remained unchanged for June 2026. This stability is crucial for many applicants as eligibility to file can provide access to interim benefits like Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and Advance Parole, offering some flexibility while awaiting final green card approval.
Family-Sponsored Categories See Selective Movement
On the family-sponsored side, India saw selective forward movement in some categories. Notably, the F2A category (spouses and children of Lawful Permanent Residents) continued to remain current for filing purposes, allowing eligible applicants to submit paperwork despite broader backlog pressures. Other family-sponsored categories experienced minor adjustments or remained unchanged.
Outlook for Indian Applicants
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin presents a mixed and largely challenging picture for Indian green card hopefuls. While the unchanged filing dates offer some procedural relief, the significant retrogression in EB-1 and EB-2 underscores the persistent and unpredictable nature of visa availability. For highly skilled Indian professionals, this means an extended and uncertain wait for permanent residency in the United States, despite years of contributions to the US economy.