EB-1 Priority Dates for China: July 2026 Update
- The EB-1 China final action date is June 1, 2023, determining who is eligible to submit a Green Card application.
- If your priority date is before this cutoff, you can officially file your adjustment of status or consular application.
- Even with a backlog, EB-1 filing waits are nearly two years shorter than EB-2 or EB-3 for China-born applicants.
Every month, the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) coordinate to set current priority dates for employment-based Green Cards. These dates determine when applicants can move forward with their permanent residency process. Because demand for visas is high, the U.S. government sets specific priority dates for people born in “oversubscribed” countries, which include China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines.
For EB-1 applicants, your priority date is the day USCIS receives your Form I-140 petition. You can’t submit an application to change your status to a Green Card until this date is “current” on the monthly Visa Bulletin. Because of the high volume of applicants from mainland China, they often face longer wait times than people from most other countries.
Important: For July 2026, USCIS has clarified it will use the Final Action Dates chart on the Visa Bulletin when determining which applicants are able to apply for adjustment of status for an employment-based Green Card. Previously, USCIS was using the Dates for Filing Chart, which allows applicants to file sooner.
What are the current EB-1 priority dates for China?
For July 2026, USCIS announced that all employment-based applicants who are physically present in the United States can use the Final Action Dates chart to determine when they can file for an adjustment of status. That means the priority date for EB-1 applicants born in mainland China is June 1, 2023.
If you already have an approved or pending EB-1 petition that was submitted on or before this date, you may be eligible to file Form I-485 to adjust your status. This cut-off date acts as your place in line. If your priority date is later than December 1, 2023, you must continue to wait for future bulletins.
| June 2026 Visa Bulletin | July 2026 Visa Bulletin | |
| Date for filing | December 1, 2023 | December 1, 2023 |
| Final action date | April 1, 2023 | June 1, 2023 |
Understanding your spot in line
The Visa Bulletin uses two different charts to manage the Green Card line:
- Dates for filing (Chart B): When your priority date matches this chart, you can submit your application (Form I-485). This allows you to get your work permit and travel documents while you wait for the final step.
- Final Action Dates (Chart A): A Green Card can only be officially issued once your priority date passes the date on this chart. This is the chart people who are abroad and applying for permanent residency must use.
What this means for mainland Chinese nationals is that if their priority date is earlier than June 1, 2023, they may submit their documents now. The U.S. government is only issuing visas in the EB-1 preference category for those mainland Chinese nationals whose priority date was earlier than June 1, 2023.
Learn the difference between the dates for filing chart and the final action dates chart.
Subscribe to our newsletter for immigration resources and news, without the legal jargon.
What Chinese nationals can do once their priority date is current
When the Visa Bulletin shows your priority date is current, you can begin the final stage of your Green Card journey. The next steps depend on your location.
If you’re in the U.S.
Most professionals in the U.S. on visas like H-1B or O-1 will file Form I-485 (adjustment of status). This application asks the government to change your temporary visa into a permanent Green Card.
Once you’ve filed your Form I-485 and it’s pending (meaning USCIS is reviewing it), you gain several benefits:
- Legal presence: You can stay in the U.S. legally while waiting for a decision, even if your original work visa expires.
- Work permit: You can apply for an employee authorization document (EAD) that lets you work for a U.S. employer.
- Travel permission: You can apply for Form I-131 (advance parole), which allows you to travel abroad and return without canceling your Green Card application.
| 💡Thinking about transitioning from an O-1 to an EB-1A? If you already have an O-1, you’re likely close to meeting EB-1A criteria. Just make sure you can show sustained acclaim and long-term impact, and work with an immigration attorney to avoid any issues with your legal status in the U.S. |
If you’re outside the U.S.
If you’re living abroad, you’ll go through consular processing. Instead of filing Form I-485, your case will go through the National Visa Center and you’ll attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.
Why is there a backlog for mainland China?
The Green Card process for professionals born in China is slower because of a rule called the per-country cap (or limit or ceiling, depending on where you look). This rule limits countries to 7% of available Green Cards.
The 7% rule
The U.S. government gives out about 140,000 employment-based Green Cards each year. By law, no country can receive more than 7% of these visas in one year.
Because China has a large number of skilled researchers and professionals applying for EB-1 visas, the demand is much higher than that 7% limit. This creates a bottleneck.
| 📘 What is retrogression? Sometimes, the government realizes it has received more applications than there are visas available that month. When this happens, the cut-off date on the Visa Bulletin has to move backward to stop new people from applying until supply catches up. |
Navigating the EB-1 backlog
Qualifying for an EB-1 Green Card requires showcasing extraordinary ability. It also requires patience, especially if you were born in China. But even with a backlog, the EB-1 category is often the fastest path to permanent residency. For example, in March 2026, the EB-1 filing date for China is almost two years ahead of the dates for EB-2 and EB-3.
Checking the Visa Bulletin every month can help you understand your place in line. When your priority date becomes current, apply promptly and accurately to avoid further delays.
👉 If you’re ready to stop guessing and start planning, our immigration attorneys are here to help. Request a consultation with Manifest Law now.
More Visa Bulletin resources:
- June 2026 Visa Bulletin Released
- May 2026 Visa Bulletin Released: Family-Based Dates Leap Forward
- April 2026 Visa Bulletin released, what it means for you
- What are filing dates vs. final action dates on the Visa Bulletin?
- What is a priority date?
- Priority date guide and news for EB-1 India and EB-2 India
- Priority date guide and news for EB-1 China and EB-2 China
Frequently asked questions
Is EB-1 faster than EB-2?
Yes, EB-1 is usually faster. For China, the wait for an EB-1 is about two years shorter than the wait for an EB-2.
Can I expedite my EB-1 priority date?
No, you can’t pay a fee to move your priority date on the Visa Bulletin. You can pay for premium processing to get a faster decision on your USCIS petition.
What is the approval rate for EB-1A?
In the third quarter of FY2025, the approval rate for EB-1A petitions was about 67%.
Do I need to wait for my I-140 to be approved in order to file for my Green Card?
No, approval is not necessary. You can file with a pending I-140 as long as your priority date is current.
