The June 2026 Visa Bulletin is out — and the State Department has reversed course on India. After holding nearly every employment-based Final Action Date in May, the June bulletin retrogresses EB-2 India by roughly 10.5 months (Jul 15, 2014 → Sep 1, 2013) and EB-1 India by about 3.5 months (Apr 1, 2023 → Dec 15, 2022). Family-sponsored categories moved sharply forward: F2A advanced five full months across the board, F2B ROW/CN/IN jumped four months, and F4 ROW/CN and F1 Mexico both posted multi-month gains. EB-3 China, EB-3 India, OW China, and OW India also inched forward. This side-by-side comparison covers every category and every country with exact movement calculations.
India Retrogression — The Headline Story of June 2026
After April 2026’s historic EB-2 India advance (+303 days) and May’s freeze, the June 2026 bulletin retrogresses both EB-1 India and EB-2 India Final Action Dates. Section E of the June bulletin states plainly: “High demand and number use by aliens chargeable to India in the EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories has made it necessary to retrogress the final action dates to hold number use within the FY 2026 annual limit.” EB-2 India moves back from Jul 15, 2014 to Sep 1, 2013 — surrendering nearly all of April’s gains. EB-1 India retreats from Apr 1, 2023 to Dec 15, 2022. The bulletin warns further retrogressions, or unavailability, may follow. On the brighter side, family-sponsored categories continue advancing across the board, and EB-3/OW for China and India each picked up small forward movement.
Employment-Based Final Action Dates: Side-by-Side Comparison
The June 2026 employment-based Final Action chart is dominated by India retrogression. EB-1 India moves back 107 days; EB-2 India moves back 318 days (about 10.5 months). Everything else is either flat or modestly forward: EB-3 China advances 47 days, EB-3 India and OW India each pick up 30 days, and OW China advances 59 days. EB-2 ROW/Mexico/Philippines remain Current, and all EB-5 set-aside categories stay Current for every country.
| Category | Country | May 2026 | Jun 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | All Other / Mexico / Phil | Current | Current | — |
| China | Apr 1, 2023 | Apr 1, 2023 | 0 days | |
| India | Apr 1, 2023 | Dec 15, 2022 | -107d | |
| EB-2 | All Other / Mexico / Phil | Current | Current | — |
| China | Sep 1, 2021 | Sep 1, 2021 | 0 days | |
| India | Jul 15, 2014 | Sep 1, 2013 | -318d (~10.5 mo) | |
| Mexico (same as ROW) | Current | Current | — | |
| EB-3 | All Other / Mexico | Jun 1, 2024 | Jun 1, 2024 | 0 days |
| China | Jun 15, 2021 | Aug 1, 2021 | +47d | |
| India | Nov 15, 2013 | Dec 15, 2013 | +30d | |
| Philippines | Aug 1, 2023 | Aug 1, 2023 | 0 days | |
| Other Workers | All Other / Mexico | Feb 1, 2022 | Feb 1, 2022 | 0 days |
| China | Feb 1, 2019 | Apr 1, 2019 | +59d | |
| India | Nov 15, 2013 | Dec 15, 2013 | +30d | |
| Philippines | Nov 1, 2021 | Nov 1, 2021 | 0 days | |
| EB-4 / SR | All Countries | Jul 15, 2022 | Jul 15, 2022 | 0 days |
| EB-5 Unreserved | All Other / Mexico / Phil | Current | Current | — |
| China | Sep 22, 2016 | Sep 22, 2016 | 0 days | |
| India | May 1, 2022 | May 1, 2022 | 0 days |
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 May and June 2026. No change.
Employment-Based Dates for Filing: Side-by-Side Comparison
The employment-based Filing chart is completely frozen in June. Every cell holds at its May 2026 value — including the EB-2 / EB-3 / OW India Filing dates at January 15, 2015 and EB-5 Unreserved China Filing at March 1, 2017. Confirm on the USCIS visa bulletin page which chart USCIS will accept for I-485 filings this month.
| Category | Country | May 2026 | Jun 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 | |
| EB-3 | All Other / Mexico | Current | Current | — |
| China | Jan 1, 2022 | Jan 1, 2022 | 0 days | |
| India | Jan 15, 2015 | Jan 15, 2015 | FROZEN | |
| 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 | |
| Philippines (same as ROW) | Aug 1, 2022 | Aug 1, 2022 | 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 | 0 days |
New June Warnings: EB-2 China, EB-3 Philippines, EB-5 Unreserved India
In addition to the India EB-1/EB-2 retrogression already in effect, the June 2026 bulletin adds three new forward-looking warnings: Section F flags EB-2 China for possible retrogression or unavailability; Section G flags EB-3 Philippines for the same; and Section H repeats the EB-5 Unreserved India retrogression warning carried over from May, now stating action may be necessary “in the next month.”
India & China: Country-Level Comparison
India and China move in opposite directions this month. India loses ground on EB-1 and EB-2 Final Action while gaining 30 days on EB-3 and OW Final Action. China holds EB-1 and EB-2 but advances EB-3 (+47d) and OW (+59d). All Filing dates for both countries are frozen at May values.
🇮🇳 India — What Changed (May → Jun)
🇨🇳 China — What Changed (May → Jun)
EB-2 vs EB-3 India: Downgrade Math Has Shifted
June’s retrogression flips the EB-2/EB-3 India comparison. EB-2 India Final Action at Sep 1, 2013 now sits about 3.5 months behind EB-3 India Final Action at Dec 15, 2013. After eight months of EB-2 leading EB-3, EB-3 is once again the faster Final Action path for Indian applicants. On the Filing side, both remain frozen at Jan 15, 2015 — equal. Anyone who downgraded EB-2 to EB-3 before April should consult their attorney about whether to revert; anyone considering a downgrade now should weigh the renewed EB-3 advantage against the labor-cert/I-140 cost.
Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates: Side-by-Side Comparison
Family-sponsored Final Action dates posted the most consistent forward movement in the June 2026 bulletin. F2A (all regions) advanced five full months (+153 days), F2B ROW/CN/IN advanced four months (+123 days), F1 Mexico picked up 85 days, and F4 ROW/CN advanced 54 days. F1 ROW/CN/IN, F1 Philippines, F3 (all regions), F2B Mexico/Philippines, and F4 India/Mexico/Philippines all held at May values.
| Category | Country | May 2026 | Jun 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | All Other / China / India | Sep 1, 2017 | Sep 1, 2017 | 0 days |
| Mexico | Aug 15, 2007 | Nov 8, 2007 | +85d | |
| Philippines | May 1, 2013 | May 1, 2013 | 0 days | |
| F2A | All Other / CN / IN / PH | Aug 1, 2024 | Jan 1, 2025 | +153d |
| Mexico | Aug 1, 2023 | Jan 1, 2024 | +153d | |
| F2B | All Other / China / India | May 22, 2017 | Sep 22, 2017 | +123d |
| Mexico | Feb 15, 2009 | Feb 15, 2009 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Apr 8, 2013 | Apr 8, 2013 | 0 days | |
| F3 | All Other / China / India | Feb 15, 2012 | Feb 15, 2012 | 0 days |
| Mexico | May 1, 2001 | May 1, 2001 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Nov 22, 2005 | Nov 22, 2005 | 0 days | |
| F4 | All Other / China | Sep 15, 2008 | Nov 8, 2008 | +54d |
| India | Nov 1, 2006 | Nov 1, 2006 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Apr 8, 2001 | Apr 8, 2001 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Jul 15, 2007 | Jul 15, 2007 | 0 days |
F2A Exempt/Subject Structure for June
For June, F2A numbers exempt from the per-country limit are authorized for priority dates earlier than Jan 1, 2024 (up from Aug 1, 2023 in May). F2A numbers subject to the per-country limit are authorized for all countries except Mexico with priority dates between Jan 1, 2024 and Jan 1, 2025. All F2A numbers provided for Mexico remain exempt from the per-country limit.
Family-Sponsored Dates for Filing: Side-by-Side Comparison
The family-sponsored Filing chart is much quieter than the Final Action chart. Only two cells moved: F2B ROW/CN/IN advanced 80 days (Jan 1, 2018 → Mar 22, 2018), and F4 ROW/CN advanced 112 days (Sep 1, 2009 → Dec 22, 2009). F2A remains fully Current for all countries.
| Category | Country | May 2026 | Jun 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | All Other / China / India | Oct 1, 2018 | Oct 1, 2018 | 0 days |
| Mexico | Oct 1, 2008 | Oct 1, 2008 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Apr 22, 2015 | Apr 22, 2015 | 0 days | |
| F2A | All Countries | Current | Current | — |
| F2B | All Other / China / India | Jan 1, 2018 | Mar 22, 2018 | +80d |
| 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 | Dec 8, 2012 | 0 days |
| Mexico | Jul 15, 2001 | Jul 15, 2001 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Aug 8, 2006 | Aug 8, 2006 | 0 days | |
| F4 | All Other / China | Sep 1, 2009 | Dec 22, 2009 | +112d |
| 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): May vs June Cut-Offs
DV-2026 cut-offs are nearly unchanged from May to June, with one exception: ASIA Nepal rises from 10,000 to 11,000, exactly as the May bulletin’s June advance notice had previewed. The June bulletin’s July advance notice signals a broader shake-up coming: Algeria climbs to 40,000, Egypt to 31,000, Nepal to 13,000, Europe to 23,000, Oceania to 1,700, and South America/Caribbean to 3,300.
| Region | May 2026 | Jun 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFRICA | 55,000 | 55,000 | 0 |
| — Algeria (except) | 37,000 | 37,000 | 0 (July: +3,000 → 40,000) |
| — Egypt (except) | 30,000 | 30,000 | 0 (July: +1,000 → 31,000) |
| ASIA | 35,000 | 35,000 | 0 |
| — Nepal (except) | 10,000 | 11,000 | +1,000 (July: +2,000 → 13,000) |
| EUROPE | 20,000 | 20,000 | 0 (July: +3,000 → 23,000) |
| NORTH AMERICA (Bahamas) | 50 | 50 | 0 |
| OCEANIA | 1,500 | 1,500 | 0 (July: +200 → 1,700) |
| SOUTH AMERICA & CARIBBEAN | 3,000 | 3,000 | 0 (July: +300 → 3,300) |
July 2026 DV Advance Notice (from June Bulletin)
The June bulletin’s July advance notice signals broader DV-2026 advancement as the State Department works through remaining allocations before the September 30, 2026 cutoff. Notable jumps: Algeria 37,000 → 40,000, Egypt 30,000 → 31,000, Nepal 10,000 → 13,000, Europe 20,000 → 23,000, Oceania 1,500 → 1,700, and South America & Caribbean 3,000 → 3,300. 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 Retrogressed: June Movement at a Glance
The June 2026 bulletin sorts cleanly into three buckets: retrogressions (India EB-1 and EB-2 Final Action), forward movement (most family categories plus EB-3/OW for China and India), and frozen (all employment Filing dates, EB-2 China, EB-4/SR, EB-5 set-asides, and most family Filing cells).
🔴 Retrogressions (May → Jun 2026)
🟢 Forward Movement (May → Jun 2026)
🔒 Frozen (May → Jun 2026)
Key Takeaways: What the Changes Mean
Action Items Based on These Changes
1. EB-2 India applicants (PD between Sep 1, 2013 and Jul 15, 2014): Your case is now past the Final Action Date — visa issuance is paused for you in June. Any applicant who hadn’t yet been approved or scheduled has lost their window. Watch for further retrogressions; the bulletin warns the category could become unavailable.
2. EB-1 India applicants (PD between Dec 15, 2022 and Apr 1, 2023): Same situation — case is past the June 2026 cut-off after April’s eligibility. Speak with your attorney about timing and what happens if your approved I-485 has not yet been adjudicated.
3. EB-2 India applicants (PD before Sep 1, 2013): Still eligible. Do not delay if your case is in hand.
4. EB-3 China applicants (PD before Aug 1, 2021): +47-day advance opens new eligibility. File now.
5. EB-3 India / OW India applicants (PD between Nov 15 and Dec 15, 2013): Newly current. With EB-2 India retrogressed, the EB-3 path is again ahead — talk to your attorney about a possible downgrade if your I-140 is on the EB-2 track.
6. OW China applicants (PD before Apr 1, 2019): +59-day advance newly available.
7. F2A all regions (PD before Jan 1, 2025): Five-month jump opens a large new pool. File the I-485 promptly.
8. F2B ROW/CN/IN (PD before Sep 22, 2017): +123-day advance is the second-biggest movement of the month.
9. F1 Mexico, F4 ROW/CN, F2B Filing, F4 Filing applicants: All advanced — check eligibility on the official chart and act if your priority date is reached.
10. EB-5 Unreserved India: The retrogression warning is now more urgent (“in the next month”). File immediately if eligible at May 1, 2022.
11. EB-2 China / EB-3 Philippines: Retrogression warnings added in June. Both are flagged for possible adjustment in coming months.
📚 Official Sources
- May 2026 Visa Bulletin: Number 14, Volume XI (CA/VO: April 2, 2026) — VisaVerge Analysis
- June 2026 Visa Bulletin: Number 15, Volume XI (CA/VO: May 4, 2026) — VisaVerge Analysis
- VisaVerge: May vs April 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 May 2026 Visa Bulletin (Number 14, Volume XI, CA/VO: April 2, 2026) and June 2026 Visa Bulletin (Number 15, Volume XI, CA/VO: May 4, 2026). Day-count movements are approximate calculations between date values. The June 2026 bulletin retrogresses EB-1 India and EB-2 India Final Action Dates, and explicitly warns of possible additional retrogression or unavailability for EB-2 China, EB-3 Philippines, and EB-5 Unreserved India. This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify dates on the official State Department website.
