July 2026 Visa Bulletin: India Faces More Headwinds While EB-5 Set-Asides Remain Open

Summary

The July Visa Bulletin brings mixed news for employment-based immigrants. EB-1 (green card for priority workers) India retrogresses again, EB-2 India and EB-5 India remain unavailable through the end of the fiscal year, while EB-5 Set-Aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) remain current for all countries. The EB-1 India Final Action Date retrogresses by two months, from December 15, 2022, to October 15, 2022 , reflecting continued heavy demand and visa number usage. EB-2 India and EB-5 India Remain Unavailable Both EB-2 India and EB-5 Unreserved India remain unavailable for the remainder of FY 2026. USCIS (U.S. immigration agency) Will Use Final Action Dates in July USCIS will continue to accept employment-based adjustment of status applications based on the Final Action Dates Chart . Applicants must have a priority date earlier than the applicable Final Action Date to file in July. 5. EB-5 Set-Aside Categories Remain Current Despite India’s unavailability in the EB-5 Unreserved category, the EB-5 Set-Aside categories — Rural, High Unemployment Area (HUA), and Infrastructure projects —remain current for all countries , including India and China. July 2026 Employment-Based Final Action Dates The July Visa Bulletin highlights a continuing reality: demand for employment-based immigrant visas remains exceptionally high, particularly for India. With EB-2 India unavailable, EB-1 India retrogressing, and EB-3 India still backlogged by more than a decade , the traditional employment-based green card process continues to present significant challenges for Indian nationals. For many Indian professionals already in the United States, EB-5 Set-Aside investments remain one of the few categories that are both current and eligible for concurrent filing , allowing applicants to seek adjustment of status, employment authorization, and advance parole while immigrant visa numbers remain available.