The August 2026 Visa Bulletin holds the India employment freeze that July put in place, then advances almost everything else. EB-2 India and EB-5 Unreserved India stay Unavailable for the rest of FY-2026, and EB-1 India holds at October 15, 2022 under a fresh Section E warning that it could go Unavailable “in the coming weeks.” The counterweight is a wave of family movement: F2A vaulted 567 days (Jan 1, 2025 → Jul 22, 2026) to near-current, F1 ROW/CN/IN gained 317 days, and F4 ROW/CN advanced 243 days. On the employment side, EB-3, Other Workers, EB-4, and EB-1 China all ticked forward, and every DV region rose. This side-by-side comparison covers every category and every country with exact movement calculations.
India Frozen, Everything Else Advances – The Story of August 2026
July fired the retrogression; August is the aftermath. EB-2 India and EB-5 Unreserved India remain Unavailable for the rest of FY-2026, unchanged from July. The August bulletin adds no new retrogression, but its Section E sharpens the warning on the next domino: “High demand and number use by aliens chargeable to India in the EB-1 visa category may necessitate making the category unavailable in the coming weeks.” Section F now flags the entire EB-2 preference worldwide. Against that, the State Department pushed almost every open category forward, headlined by F2A leaping 567 days to July 22, 2026 – the single biggest one-month jump of the fiscal year – plus large F1 and F4 gains and steady EB-3, Other Workers, and EB-4 advances.
Free toolI-94 Expiration Calculator OnlineEmployment-Based Final Action Dates: Side-by-Side Comparison
The employment-based Final Action chart splits cleanly: India’s EB-2 and EB-5 Unreserved stay Unavailable, EB-1 India holds under warning, and every other dated cell either holds or advances. EB-3 ROW/Mexico moved 31 days to September 1, 2024, EB-3 China 10 days to January 1, 2022, Other Workers ROW/Mexico 31 days, EB-1 China 30 days, and EB-4/Certain Religious Workers 30 days to October 15, 2022 for all countries. EB-5 set-asides remain Current everywhere.
| Category | Country | Jul 2026 | Aug 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | All Other / Mexico / Phil | Current | Current | – |
| China | Jun 1, 2023 | Jul 1, 2023 | +30d | |
| India | Oct 15, 2022 | Oct 15, 2022 | 0d (Sec E flag) | |
| Mexico (same as ROW) | Current | Current | – | |
| EB-2 | All Other / Mexico / Phil | Current | Current | Sec F flag |
| China | Sep 1, 2021 | Sep 1, 2021 | 0d (Sec F flag) | |
| India | Unavailable | Unavailable | Held U (Sec F) | |
| EB-3 | All Other / Mexico | Aug 1, 2024 | Sep 1, 2024 | +31d |
| China | Dec 22, 2021 | Jan 1, 2022 | +10d | |
| India | Jan 1, 2014 | Jan 1, 2014 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Aug 1, 2023 | Aug 1, 2023 | 0 days (warning lifted) | |
| Other Workers | All Other / Mexico | Mar 1, 2022 | Apr 1, 2022 | +31d |
| China | Apr 1, 2019 | May 1, 2019 | +30d | |
| India | Jan 1, 2014 | Jan 1, 2014 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Dec 1, 2021 | Dec 1, 2021 | 0 days | |
| EB-4 / SR | All Countries | Sep 15, 2022 | Oct 15, 2022 | +30d |
| EB-5 Unreserved | All Other / Mexico / Phil | Current | Current | – |
| China | Dec 1, 2016 | Dec 1, 2016 | 0 days | |
| India | Unavailable | Unavailable | Held U |
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories
All EB-5 Set-Aside categories (Rural 20%, High Unemployment 10%, Infrastructure 2%) remain Current for all countries in both July and August 2026. No change.
Employment-Based Dates for Filing: Side-by-Side Comparison
The employment-based Filing chart is almost entirely frozen from July to August. The one mover is EB-3 China, up 7 days to January 8, 2022. The India EB-2, EB-3, and Other Workers Filing dates hold at January 15, 2015, and the EB-2/EB-5 India Filing dates stay published even though their Final Action dates are Unavailable, so documentarily qualified applicants can keep assembling NVC packages. Confirm on the USCIS visa bulletin page which chart is accepted for I-485 filings this month.
| Category | Country | Jul 2026 | Aug 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | All Other / Mexico / Phil | Current | Current | – |
| China / India | Dec 1, 2023 | Dec 1, 2023 | 0 days | |
| EB-2 | All Other / Mexico / Phil | Current | Current | – |
| China | Jan 1, 2022 | Jan 1, 2022 | 0 days | |
| India | Jan 15, 2015 | Jan 15, 2015 | FROZEN (FA is U) | |
| EB-3 | All Other / Mexico | Current | Current | – |
| China | Jan 1, 2022 | Jan 8, 2022 | +7d | |
| India | Jan 15, 2015 | Jan 15, 2015 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Jan 1, 2024 | Jan 1, 2024 | 0 days | |
| Other Workers | All Other / Mexico / Phil | Aug 1, 2022 | Aug 1, 2022 | 0 days |
| China | Oct 1, 2019 | Oct 1, 2019 | 0 days | |
| India | Jan 15, 2015 | Jan 15, 2015 | 0 days | |
| EB-4 / SR | All Countries | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan 1, 2023 | 0 days |
| EB-5 Unreserved | All Other / Mexico / Phil | Current | Current | – |
| China | Mar 1, 2017 | Mar 1, 2017 | 0 days | |
| India | May 1, 2024 | May 1, 2024 | FROZEN (FA is U) |
August Warnings: EB-1 India (Section E) and EB-2 Worldwide (Section F)
The August bulletin carries two forward-looking employment warnings. Section E says EB-1 India “may necessitate making the category unavailable in the coming weeks” – a step sharper than the usual “coming months” language. Section F flags the entire EB-2 preference worldwide for possible retrogression or unavailability. Notably, July’s Section H warning on EB-3 Philippines was dropped, and that cell simply holds at August 1, 2023.
India & China: Country-Level Comparison
India and China again move in opposite directions. India’s employment categories are static or frozen: EB-2 and EB-5 Unreserved stay Unavailable, EB-1 holds under warning, and EB-3 and Other Workers hold at January 1, 2014. China advances across the board: EB-1 (+30d), EB-3 (+10d), Other Workers (+30d), and EB-3 Filing (+7d). Both countries share in the family-side gains, most notably F2A.
India – What Changed (Jul → Aug)
China – What Changed (Jul → Aug)
EB-2 vs EB-3 India: EB-3 Is Now the Only Open Path
With EB-2 India Unavailable, EB-3 India Final Action at January 1, 2014 is the only employment Final Action category issuing numbers to Indian applicants this month (EB-1 India holds but is warned). On the Filing chart, EB-2 and EB-3 India remain equal at January 15, 2015. Anyone weighing an EB-2-to-EB-3 downgrade should note that EB-3 is the only category currently moving numbers for India, but confirm with an attorney before acting, since October’s FY-2027 reset could reopen EB-2 India with a forward date.
Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates: Side-by-Side Comparison
Family-sponsored Final Action dates carried the August bulletin. F2A vaulted 567 days across ROW, China, India, and the Philippines (Mexico moved the same amount), F1 ROW/CN/IN gained 317 days, F4 ROW/CN advanced 243 days, and F2B, F3, F1 Mexico, and F2B Philippines all posted gains. Only the Philippines cells in F1, F3, and F4, plus F2B Mexico and F4 India/Mexico, held at July values.
| Category | Country | Jul 2026 | Aug 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | All Other / China / India | Feb 1, 2018 | Dec 15, 2018 | +317d |
| Mexico | Nov 8, 2007 | Dec 1, 2007 | +23d | |
| Philippines | May 1, 2013 | May 1, 2013 | 0 days | |
| F2A | All Other / CN / IN / PH | Jan 1, 2025 | Jul 22, 2026 | +567d |
| Mexico | Jan 1, 2024 | Jul 22, 2025 | +567d | |
| F2B | All Other / China / India | Nov 22, 2017 | Jan 1, 2018 | +40d |
| Mexico | Feb 15, 2009 | Feb 15, 2009 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | May 15, 2013 | Jun 1, 2013 | +17d | |
| F3 | All Other / China / India | Apr 15, 2012 | May 15, 2012 | +30d |
| Mexico | Jun 1, 2001 | Jul 1, 2001 | +30d | |
| Philippines | Feb 22, 2006 | Feb 22, 2006 | 0 days | |
| F4 | All Other / China | Jan 1, 2009 | Sep 1, 2009 | +243d |
| India | Nov 1, 2006 | Nov 1, 2006 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Apr 8, 2001 | Apr 8, 2001 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Aug 1, 2007 | Aug 1, 2007 | 0 days |
F2A Exempt/Subject Structure for August
For August, F2A numbers exempt from the per-country limit are authorized for priority dates earlier than Jul 22, 2025 (up from Jan 1, 2024 in July). F2A numbers subject to the per-country limit are authorized for all countries except Mexico with priority dates between Jul 22, 2025 and Jul 22, 2026. All F2A numbers provided for Mexico remain exempt from the per-country limit. With the Final Action date at Jul 22, 2026 and the Filing chart Current for all countries, F2A is effectively current for almost every applicant.
Family-Sponsored Dates for Filing: Side-by-Side Comparison
The family Filing chart also advanced strongly. F2B ROW/CN/IN jumped 207 days, F1 ROW/CN/IN gained 165 days, F4 ROW/CN advanced 113 days, F3 ROW/CN/IN moved 83 days, and F1 Mexico rose 61 days. F2A remains fully Current for all countries.
| Category | Country | Jul 2026 | Aug 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | All Other / China / India | Jan 1, 2019 | Jun 15, 2019 | +165d |
| Mexico | Oct 1, 2008 | Dec 1, 2008 | +61d | |
| Philippines | Apr 22, 2015 | Apr 22, 2015 | 0 days | |
| F2A | All Countries | Current | Current | – |
| F2B | All Other / China / India | Jun 8, 2018 | Jan 1, 2019 | +207d |
| Mexico | May 15, 2010 | May 15, 2010 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Oct 1, 2013 | Oct 1, 2013 | 0 days | |
| F3 | All Other / China / India | Dec 8, 2012 | Mar 1, 2013 | +83d |
| Mexico | Jul 15, 2001 | Jul 15, 2001 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Aug 8, 2006 | Aug 8, 2006 | 0 days | |
| F4 | All Other / China | Mar 1, 2010 | Jun 22, 2010 | +113d |
| India | Dec 15, 2006 | Dec 15, 2006 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Apr 30, 2001 | Apr 30, 2001 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Mar 22, 2008 | Mar 22, 2008 | 0 days |
Diversity Visa (DV-2026): July vs August Cut-Offs
Every DV region advanced from July to August, exactly as the July bulletin’s advance notice had previewed. Africa rose 5,000 to 60,000 (Algeria +11,250, Egypt +5,000), Asia 5,000 to 40,000 (Nepal +500), Europe 6,000 to 29,000, and North America (Bahamas) went Current. The August bulletin’s September advance notice signals an even bigger final-month surge: Africa nearly doubles to 101,250 and Europe jumps to 47,500.
| Region | Jul 2026 | Aug 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFRICA | 55,000 | 60,000 | +5,000 (Sep: → 101,250) |
| – Algeria (except) | 40,000 | 51,250 | +11,250 (Sep: → 85,000) |
| – Egypt (except) | 31,000 | 36,000 | +5,000 (Sep: → 50,000) |
| ASIA | 35,000 | 40,000 | +5,000 |
| – Nepal (except) | 13,000 | 13,500 | +500 (Sep: 13,500) |
| EUROPE | 23,000 | 29,000 | +6,000 (Sep: → 47,500) |
| NORTH AMERICA (Bahamas) | 50 | Current | Now Current |
| OCEANIA | 1,700 | 2,050 | +350 (Sep: → 3,000) |
| SOUTH AMERICA & CARIBBEAN | 3,300 | 4,000 | +700 (Sep: → 4,750) |
September 2026 DV Advance Notice (from August Bulletin)
The August bulletin’s September advance notice opens the ranks wide for the final DV-2026 month: Africa 60,000 → 101,250 (Algeria 51,250 → 85,000, Egypt 36,000 → 50,000), Europe 29,000 → 47,500, Oceania 2,050 → 3,000, and South America & Caribbean 4,000 → 4,750. Asia holds at 40,000 (Nepal 13,500). The DV-2026 annual limit remains approximately 52,000 visas after NACARA and NDAA deductions. DV-2026 entitlement ends September 30, 2026 – numbers can be exhausted earlier.
What Stayed Frozen and What Advanced: August Movement at a Glance
August 2026 sorts into three buckets: no new retrogressions (the India freezes carried over from July), broad forward movement across family and most employment cells, and a frozen-but-flagged group led by India EB-2, EB-5, and EB-1.
Retrogressions (Jul → Aug 2026)
Forward Movement (Jul → Aug 2026)
Frozen / Flagged (Jul → Aug 2026)
Key Takeaways: What the Changes Mean
Action Items Based on These Changes
1. EB-1 India applicants (PD before Oct 15, 2022): This is likely your last dependable month of FY-2026. Section E warns the category could go Unavailable “in the coming weeks.” Get documentarily complete now and, if consular processing, push the NVC to schedule.
2. EB-2 & EB-5 India applicants: Both categories are Unavailable through September 30. No approvals will issue before then. Keep your I-485 and address current with USCIS and watch the October FY-2027 bulletin, which usually reopens frozen categories with a forward date.
3. EB-2 China / EB-2 worldwide applicants: Section F flags the entire EB-2 preference. Do not sit on a Current or newly-eligible date – file a documentarily complete case now rather than risk a September pullback.
4. EB-3 India applicants (PD before Jan 1, 2014): EB-3 is the only India employment Final Action category issuing numbers this month. If your I-140 is EB-2, discuss a possible downgrade with your attorney, weighing October’s likely EB-2 reset.
5. EB-3 China / OW China (PD before the new dates): EB-3 China advanced to Jan 1, 2022 and OW China to May 1, 2019. File if newly current.
6. F2A applicants (PD before Jul 22, 2026): The 567-day jump makes F2A effectively current for nearly everyone. File the I-485 or complete your NVC file promptly.
7. F1 (ROW/CN/IN) and F4 (ROW/CN) applicants: F1 gained 317 days (FA) and F4 gained 243 days (FA), with matching Filing advances. Check the chart and act if your priority date is reached.
8. F2B ROW/CN/IN applicants: Filing jumped 207 days to Jan 1, 2019 – the second-biggest Filing move of the month.
9. DV-2026 selectees: Every region advanced, and September opens wider (Africa to 101,250, Europe to 47,500). Entitlement ends September 30, 2026 and numbers may run out sooner – schedule immediately if your rank is below the cut-off.
Official Sources
- July 2026 Visa Bulletin: Number 16, Volume XI (CA/VO: June 2, 2026) – VisaVerge Analysis
- August 2026 Visa Bulletin: Number 17, Volume XI (CA/VO: July 15, 2026) – VisaVerge Analysis
- VisaVerge: July vs June 2026 Key Differences
- U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin (Official)
- USCIS Visa Availability and Priority Dates
Disclaimer: This comparison is based on the official July 2026 Visa Bulletin (Number 16, Volume XI, CA/VO: June 2, 2026) and August 2026 Visa Bulletin (Number 17, Volume XI, CA/VO: July 15, 2026). Day-count movements are approximate calculations between date values. The August 2026 bulletin holds EB-2 India and EB-5 Unreserved India at Unavailable for the rest of FY-2026 and warns of possible EB-1 India unavailability (Section E) and EB-2 worldwide retrogression (Section F). This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify dates on the official State Department website.
