The **US Visa Bulletin for May 2026** brings disappointing news for many employment-based green card applicants, particularly those from India. Most priority dates show minimal to no movement, indicating that extensive waiting periods are set to continue.
The **U.S. Department of State** has confirmed that USCIS will accept Adjustment of Status applications in May 2026 based on the **Final Action Dates**. This crucial detail means applicants can only advance their immigration process if their priority date is earlier than the published cutoff date.
Below is a clear breakdown of the priority date movements and what they signify for various visa categories.
EB-1 Visa: No Movement for India and China in May 2026
The EB-1 Visa category, designated for individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers, and multinational executives, remains unchanged for key countries this month.
- India: April 1, 2023
- China: April 1, 2023
- All other countries: Current
While most countries continue to have current priority dates, applicants from India and China still face significant waiting periods.
EB-2 Visa: Long Backlog Persists for Indian Applicants
The EB-2 visa, commonly sought by professionals holding advanced degrees or individuals with exceptional ability, continues to experience severe backlogs for applicants from India.
- India: July 15, 2014
- China: September 1, 2021
- All other countries: Current
Indian applicants should prepare for many more years of waiting for their green card process to move forward.
EB-3 Visa: Limited Progress for Skilled Workers and Professionals
The **EB-3 category**, covering skilled workers, professionals, and other workers, shows very little advancement in priority dates.
Priority Dates for Professionals and Skilled Workers:
- India: November 15, 2013
- China: June 15, 2021
- Philippines: August 1, 2023
- All other countries: June 1, 2024
Priority Dates for Other Workers:
- India: November 15, 2013
- China: February 1, 2019
- Philippines: November 1, 2021
- All other countries: February 1, 2022
Indian applicants, across both subcategories, continue to navigate one of the longest backlogs in the EB-3 category.
EB-4 Visa: Cutoff Date Remains Stagnant for All Countries
The **EB-4 category**, reserved for special immigrants like religious workers, reports no changes in its cutoff dates for May 2026.
- All countries: July 15, 2022
EB-5 Investor Visa: Minor Movement for China, India Unchanged
The **EB-5 immigrant investor visa** category shows minimal progress for China, while India’s priority dates remain static this month.
Unreserved EB-5 Category Priority Dates:
- China: September 22, 2016
- India: May 1, 2022
- All other countries: Current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure):
- Rural projects: Current
- High unemployment areas: Current
- Infrastructure projects: Current
These specific EB-5 set-aside categories continue to be current, offering potentially faster green card options for eligible investors.
USCIS to Utilize Final Action Dates for May 2026 Filings
USCIS has officially announced its decision to use the **Final Action Dates chart** for all employment-based Adjustment of Status filings in May. This means that applicants must have a priority date earlier than the specified cutoff date to be eligible to file their I-485 application.
Essentially, if your priority date is not yet “current” according to the Final Action Dates, you must wait until it becomes current before proceeding with the final stage of your green card application.
Why Are Priority Dates Advancing So Slowly?
The State Department attributes the slow pace of visa movements to several factors, including lower immigrant visa processing levels and policy decisions affecting various countries. Officials have also issued a cautionary note: visa dates could potentially retrogress (move backward) later in the fiscal year if the demand for visas rises unexpectedly, pushing against annual visa limits.
Furthermore, there is a distinct possibility that the **EB-5 category for India** could face retrogression if the volume of applications continues to increase significantly.
Key Takeaways for Employment-Based Green Card Applicants
The May 2026 Visa Bulletin underscores a continuing trend of slow progress for most employment-based green card applicants, especially those from India. Here are the main points to remember:
- EB-2 and EB-3 backlogs for India remain exceptionally long.
- The EB-1 category shows no change for India and China.
- EB-5 set-aside categories continue to be current, offering alternatives for investors.
- USCIS will strictly follow the Final Action Dates for all May Adjustment of Status filings.
- The risk of visa retrogression remains a possibility later in Fiscal Year 2026.
Individuals planning long-term employment-based immigration to the United States should diligently monitor the monthly Visa Bulletins, as even minor adjustments can significantly impact application timelines and strategies.
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