EB-2 China Priority Date: June 2026 Update
- For June 2026, the EB-2 China priority date is September 1, 2021.
- Your priority date must be on or before this cutoff to submit your Green Card application.
- Monitoring the monthly Visa Bulletin is essential to know when you can move forward with permanent residency.
Many Chinese nationals seeking permanent residency in the United States choose the EB-2 visa for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability. But the process involves more than just meeting the requirements.
Because of high demand, the U.S. government limits how many Green Cards it issues each year to people born in China. This creates a backlog. Your place in this line is determined by your priority date and the monthly Visa Bulletin.
Important: For June 2026, USCIS clarified if 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.
What is the EB-2 priority date for China?
A priority date is your official spot in line for a Green Card. For EB-2 applicants, this date is set when your employer files a labor certification with the Department of Labor. If you’re applying for a National Interest Waiver (the EB-2 NIW), it’s the day USCIS receives your Form I-140 petition.
For the June 2026 Visa Bulletin, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has confirmed that applicants should use the Final Action Dates chart to submit their applications. That means the priority date for EB-2 applicants from mainland China is September 1, 2021. If your priority date is on or before September 1, 2021, you’re eligible to file for your Green Card.
| May 2026 | June 2026 (latest month) | |
| EB-2 Filing Date | January 1, 2022 | January 1, 2022 |
| EB-2 Final Action Date | September 1, 2021 | September 1, 2021 |
Why is there an EB-2 Green Card backlog for China?
The U.S. government limits the number of Green Cards it gives out each year. By law, no single country can receive more than 7% of the total available employment-based visas in a single year.
For China, the number of skilled professionals seeking an EB-2 visa is higher than the 7% limit. When the demand from Chinese applicants exceeds the supply of visas, a backlog forms. This is essentially a long waiting list. Because of this high volume, the Visa Bulletin has specific columns for China and other oversubscribed countries.
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How to track your EB-2 priority date on the Visa Bulletin
Monitoring the monthly Visa Bulletin lets you know when you can file for a Green Card. Follow these steps to check:
- Confirm the active chart: Every month, USCIS posts on its website whether you should use the Dates for Filing or the Final Action Dates chart. For June 2026, USCIS has not yet confirmed that employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart.
- Locate the correct table: On the Visa Bulletin website, look for the table titled “Final Action Dates of Employment-Based Visa Applications.” This table is the Final Action Dates chart for people inside the U.S. seeking permanent residency through their professional skills or career achievements.
- Find your category and country: Look for the “2nd” row, which represents the EB-2 category. Follow that row across to the column labeled “China-mainland born.” For June 2026, the date listed is September 1, 2021.
If your priority date is earlier than the date shown on the chart, you can move forward with your application package. If your date is not current yet, you must wait for the date to move forward in a future Visa Bulletin.
What to do if your EB-2 priority date is current for China
When the Visa Bulletin shows your priority date is current, it’s time to take the final step toward your Green Card. Depending on where you live, you’ll follow one of two paths.
If you’re in the U.S.
Most professionals already working in the U.S. on a temporary visa, like an H-1B or O-1, will file Form I-485 (adjustment of status).
Once you file, you and your family can apply for employment authorization documents (EAD) and advance parole (travel documents).
If you’re outside the U.S.
If you’re living abroad, you’ll need to use the Final Action Date chart to determine if your priority date is current.
You’ll go through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- The National Visa Center (NVC) will ask you to pay fees (usually $345 per person) and upload civil documents like birth certificates and passports to an online portal.
- Once your paperwork is reviewed, you’ll attend an interview in your home country to receive your immigrant visa.
Porting your EB-2 priority date
If you’re frustrated by the wait for an EB-2 Green Card, consider switching to the EB-1A category, which is for people with “extraordinary ability,” such as top researchers, tech founders, or award-winning professionals. If you qualify, it can mean getting a Green Card faster.
You can often port (reuse) your original EB-2 priority date for your new petition. This means you don’t lose the time you’ve already spent waiting.
The EB-1 line for China is usually years shorter than the EB-2 line. For example, in June 2026, the current EB-1 China filing date is April 1, 2023, while the current EB-2 date is September 1, 2021.
| 💡See what a strong EB-1A case looks like. Looking at examples of successful EB-1A cases can help you better understand how your own background might measure up, what a strong petition really looks like and what it takes to get approved. |
How to port your date
To use your earlier date, you must file a fresh Form I-140 petition for the EB-1 category. You should include a written statement and a copy of your previous I-797 approval notice to officially ask USCIS to apply your older EB-2 priority date to the new petition.
The path to an EB-2 visa from China
The wait for a Green Card can be long, especially for Chinese nationals. Your priority date is the key to knowing when you can finally settle in the U.S. permanently. Tracking the monthly Visa Bulletin helps you stay ready to file the moment your date becomes current.
Because the rules are complex and mistakes can cause long delays, working with an experienced attorney is a smart move. A legal partner can help you prepare a strong application and find faster paths, like moving to the EB-1 category.
👉 If you’re ready to stop guessing and start planning, our immigration attorneys are here to help. Request a consultation with Manifest Law now.
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
What if my EB-2 priority date is current?
When your priority date is current, you can file the final application for your Green Card.
How can I speed up my EB-2 visa processing?
The most effective way to get a faster decision is to use premium processing, which guarantees a response to your initial petition in 15 days. But there is no way to speed up the Visa Bulletin.
Is EB-1 faster than EB-2?
Yes, EB-1 is usually faster. For China, the wait for an EB-1 is about 23 months shorter than the wait for an EB-2.
What is the approval rate for EB-2?
In the third quarter of FY 2025, the approval rate for EB-2 petitions was about 79%.
