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

The State Department has just released the May 2026 Visa Bulletin. 

The update brings a critical change for Indian and Chinese nationals. USCIS will switch from using the Dates for Filing Chart to the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based Green Cards. Because of this change, some Indian and Chinese nationals who were able to apply for AOS under the April Visa Bulletin will no longer be able to apply under the May Visa Bulletin.

The good news is that EB-1 and EB-2 for all other countries (except India and China) remain current under the Final Action Dates chart.

May Visa Bulletin: immediate impact for EB-1/EB-2 China and India

Here’s what this month’s Visa Bulletin change means for EB-1 and EB-2 applicants from China and India:

• EB‑2 India
  • In April, you can file an AOS if your priority date is on or before January 15, 2015.
  • In May, you can only file if your priority date is on or before July 15, 2014.
  • That means if your PD is between July 16, 2014 and January 15, 2015, April is your only filing window for now.
• EB‑2 China
  • In April, you can file if your priority date is on or before January 1, 2022.
  • In May, you can only file if your priority date is on or before September 1, 2021.
  • So if your PD is between September 2, 2021, and January 1, 2022, you can file in April, but not in May.
• EB‑1 India and EB‑1 China
  • In April, clients can file if their priority date is on or before December 1, 2023.
  • In May, clients can only file if their priority date is on or before April 1, 2023.
  • So if a client’s PD is between April 2, 2023, and December 1, 2023, April is their only shot to file for now.

Other employment-based highlights from the May Visa Bulletin

• EB-1 and EB-2: No changes to the final action dates this month; worldwide remains current while China and India hold at last month’s cutoffs.

• EB-3 Other Workers: Modest forward movement in final action dates for worldwide and Mexico.

• EB-5: Slight advancement for China in the unreserved category; all other unreserved and set-aside EB-5 categories remain the same or current.

Manifest Law immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar breaks down the May Visa Bulletin in more detail here:

Family-based Visa Bulletin highlights 

For family-based categories, USCIS will honor dates for filing for people who are inside the United States and are eligible to file for AOS. For those abroad, they must follow the final action dates chart.

• F1 (unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens): Final action dates jump from May 1, 2017 to September 1, 2017, for worldwide/China/India, and from February 15, 2007, to August 15, 2007, for Mexico, with steady dates for the Philippines. Filing dates also moved forward from March 1, 2018 to October 1, 2018 for all other countries, China, and India. Mexico filing dates moved forward from April 15, 2008 to October 1, 2008. There was no change for filing dates for the Philippines.

• F2A (spouses and minor children of Green Card holders): Final action dates move from February 1, 2024, to August 1, 2024, for worldwide/China/India/Philippines and from February 1, 2023, to August 1, 2023, for Mexico, while the filing chart stays current for all.

• F3 (married children of U.S. citizens): Final action dates advance from December 22, 2011, to February 15, 2012, worldwide/China/India and from July 1, 2005, to November 22, 2005, for the Philippines. Filing dates for this group moved ahead for all other countries, China, and India from November 22, 2012 to December 8, 2012. Mexico also moved ahead just a couple of weeks from July 1, 2001 to July 15, 2001. The Philippines advanced from July 15, 2006 to August 8, 2006.

• F4 (siblings of U.S. citizens): Final action dates move from June 8, 2008 to September 15, 2008 for worldwide/China and from February 1, 2007, to July 15, 2007, for the Philippines, signaling ongoing progress despite long backlogs. Learn more about F4 visa priority dates.
  

Note: There is currently a pause on immigrant visa processing abroad for nationals from 75 countries. That means even if your priority date is current under the May Visa Bulletin, you may not be able to move forward with the process.

Employment-Based Green Cards – Final Action Dates (May 2026)

EB-1: Priority Workers (Dates for Filing to Final Action Dates)

EB-2: Exceptional people and advanced degree holders (Dates for Filing to Final Action Dates)

EB-3: Skilled worker, professional, or other worker (Dates for Filing to Final Action Dates)

Other Workers (Dates for Filing to Final Action Dates)

EB-4: “Special immigrants” category (Dates for Filing to Final Action Dates)

EB-5: “Investors” category (Dates for Filing to Final Action Dates)

Family-Based Green Cards – Filing Dates (May 2026)

F1: Unmarried children (age 21 and older) of U.S. Citizens

F2A: Spouses and unmarried children (under age 21) of U.S. Green Card holders

F2B: Unmarried children (age 21 or older) of Green Card holders

F3: Married Children of U.S. Citizens

F4: Siblings of U.S. Citizens

Visa Bulletin resources:

• 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

• State Department Releases April 2026 Visa Bulletin: Big Updates for EB-1, EB-2 India

• What are filing dates vs. final action dates on the Visa Bulletin?

• What is a priority date?