EB-3 Priority Dates India: Longer Waits In June 2026

Important: For June 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. In past months, the federal agency has been using the Dates for Filing Chart, which allows applicants to file sooner.

If you are an Indian national interested in becoming a permanent resident of the United States, an EB-3 Green Card is an attractive option. This is especially true if you already have an H-1B non-immigrant visa, as the EB-3 requirements often align.

However, the wait time for an EB-3 visa can be years longer than for EB-1 or EB-2 Green Card. There are also big backlogs for Indian applicants because the demand for employment-based Green Cards is so high. If you are seeking an EB-3 or considering this path, understanding how your priority date works is essential.

What is the current EB-3 priority date for adjustment of status for India?

Under the June 2026 Visa Bulletin, the EB-3 India filing cut-off date is December 15, 2013. USCIS has determined it will use the Final Action Dates chart in June to determine eligibility for adjustment of status.

Note: If you are outside the United States, you will move forward through consular processing once your case becomes eligible, rather than filing Form I-485.

How to read the Visa Bulletin for EB-3 India applicants

The Visa Bulletin, published monthly by USCIS and the U.S. Department of State, breaks down current priority dates by visa type. Checking the Visa Bulletin every month gives you a sense of your place in line for an immigrant visa. The priority dates that are current can shift significantly each month, so here are four steps to help you find the current dates for EB-3 visa applicants from India.

1. Find out which dates the government is using.

There are two charts on the Visa Bulletin. Each month, USCIS announces which chart it will use for adjustment of status applicants. Always check its website to confirm you’re looking at the right chart:

• Dates for Filing chart: Indicates when you can submit your Green Card application
• Final Action Dates chart: Indicates when a Green Card can be approved and issued

Note: This only applies if you are filing for adjustment of status within the U.S. If you are going through consular processing from outside the U.S., the Final Action Dates chart will always apply to your case.

2. Find charts under “Employment-Based Preference Cases.”

If you are applying for a Green Card through an EB-3 visa, find the employment-based visa charts. The Visa Bulletin also includes charts for family-sponsored preference filings and several other visa categories. 

3. Determine if your priority date is current.

An EB-3 visa is the third preference category for employment-based visas, so look for the row showing that “3rd” category and the “India” column. The date listed there is the cut-off date for people with India as their country of chargeability. If your priority date is on or before that cut-off date, your date is current, and you can apply for a Green Card.

4. File for a Green Card as soon as possible.

If your priority date is current according to this month’s chart, consider taking the next step toward a Green Card as soon as possible. There’s no guarantee your priority date will stay current next month, because the dates on the Visa Bulletin can retrogress (move backward).

If you are in the U.S., this means filing Form I-485, which can also grant work and travel authorization while your application is pending. If you are outside the U.S., you’ll move forward through consular processing, where the Final Action Dates chart always applies.

If you have questions about your priority date or what to do next, request a consultation with Manifest today!

Who should use the Other Workers chart on the Visa Bulletin?

When you look at the Visa Bulletin, you’ll notice that the EB-3 category has two separate rows:

• 3rd: Skilled workers with at least two years of training or experience, and professionals with a U.S. bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Other Workers: Positions that require less than two years of training or experience, including jobs in fields like caregiving, food service, hospitality, and manufacturing

While these roles all fall under the EB-3 visa, the Other Workers category has its own annual numerical limit of just 10,000 visas per fiscal year. That’s a smaller pool than for EB-3 skilled workers and professionals, meaning Other Workers may face longer waits.

Why is there an EB-3 Green Card backlog for India?

The volume of qualified EB-3 applicants from India outstrips the number of visas available each year. U.S. law also states that no single country can receive more than 7% of the total available employment-based immigrant visas in a fiscal year. That further limits the number of visas for Indian applicants, and it’s why India has its own set of priority dates in the Visa Bulletin.

The good news is that your priority date is flexible in a few ways:

• Changing employers: You can keep your priority date even if you switch employers while waiting. There are guidelines for the timing, so be sure to check with an immigration attorney before making an employer move.
• Porting to another category: You can carry your priority date to a different employment-based category (like EB-1 or EB-2) by noting it when your new employer files an I-140 petition.
• Cross-chargeability: If your spouse was born in a country with a shorter waiting time, you can request to use their country of birth instead.

Consider porting your priority date to EB-1 or EB-2

Once your priority date is established, it is generally yours to keep as long as you list it on future filings. Depending on the backlogs and your personal situation, it might make sense to change what Green Card you’re petitioning for.

• EB-1 upgrade: If you can apply for an EB-1 visa, the backlog for India is usually much shorter. But for this category, you will have to prove that you have extraordinary ability in your field, with major awards, recommendations, and supporting documentation. You can work with an EB-1 visa attorney to port your EB-3 priority date into the EB-1 queue. This category is also available for multinational managers and outstanding researchers.
• EB-2 upgrade: An EB-2 visa is for people with an advanced degree or exceptional ability—and if you’ve gained additional education or experience while waiting in the EB-3 queue, you may now qualify. You can port your existing priority date by filing a new Form I-140. For India, the EB-2 backlog is often—but not always—shorter than EB-3, so monitor both categories on the Visa Bulletin and speak with an EB-2 visa attorney before making changes.

Get more help understanding your EB-3 priority date

Knowing your priority date and how it functions with the charts released by USCIS is necessary to understand your Green Card wait time and what your next moves should be. When you find out your priority date is current, you want to work fast and file a strong Green Card application. The immigration lawyers at Manifest Law have years of experience helping applicants in every stage of the Green Card process.

Frequently asked questions

What if my EB-3 priority date is current?

When your priority date is current under the chart USCIS selects for the month, you can file the final application for your Green Card if you’re in the U.S. If you’re outside the U.S., your priority date must be current on the Final Action Dates chart to file your application for a Green Card.

How can I speed up my EB-3 visa processing?

The most effective way to get a faster decision is to use premium processing, which guarantees a response to your initial petition (Form I-140) in 15 days. But there is no way to speed up the Visa Bulletin wait time.

Are EB-1 or EB-2 faster than EB-3?

Yes, both EB-1 and EB-2 are typically faster. EB-1 generally has the shortest backlog of the three, and EB-2 falls in between. However, the gap between EB-2 and EB-3 for India fluctuates, so it’s worth monitoring the Visa Bulletin each month to compare current priority dates across the categories.

What is the approval rate for EB-3?

The overall approval rate for EB-3 petitions in FY 2025 was about 97.7%.

Visa Bulletin resources:

• June 2026 Visa Bulletin Released
• May 2026 Visa Bulletin Released: USCIS Switches to Final Action Dates Chart
• 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