What changed in the May 2026 bulletin
Compared with September 2025, the last time USCIS reproduced this chart, 29 of 50 employment-based cut-off dates moved forward, 0 moved back and 21 stayed put. The biggest advances: EB-2 for most countries (became current), EB-2 Mexico (became current), EB-2 Philippines (became current) and EB-4 for most countries (became available again).[1]
Against last month: 14 family-sponsored dates advanced, 0 retrogressed, 11 held. The biggest advances: F1 for most countries (+7 months to 01 Oct 2018), F1 China (+7 months to 01 Oct 2018), F1 India (+7 months to 01 Oct 2018) and F1 Mexico (+6 months to 01 Oct 2008).
| Category | Country | Before | May | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-2 | Rest of world | 01 Sep 2023 | C | ▲ became current |
| EB-2 | Mexico | 01 Sep 2023 | C | ▲ became current |
| EB-2 | Philippines | 01 Sep 2023 | C | ▲ became current |
| EB-4 | Rest of world | U | 15 Jul 2022 | ▲ became available again |
| EB-4 | China | U | 15 Jul 2022 | ▲ became available again |
| EB-4 | India | U | 15 Jul 2022 | ▲ became available again |
| EB-4 | Mexico | U | 15 Jul 2022 | ▲ became available again |
| EB-4 | Philippines | U | 15 Jul 2022 | ▲ became available again |
| Certain Religious Workers | Rest of world | U | 15 Jul 2022 | ▲ became available again |
| Certain Religious Workers | China | U | 15 Jul 2022 | ▲ became available again |
May 2026 employment-based dates
Arrows compare each date with September 2025, the most recent month in which USCIS also used the Final Action Dates chart. EB-2 India advanced 18 months to 15 Jul 2014. Category history: EB-2, EB-3, EB-2 India.
| Category | Rest of world | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C■ | 01 Apr 2023▲ advanced 5 months | 01 Apr 2023▲ advanced 13 months | C■ | C■ |
| EB-2 | C▲ became current | 01 Sep 2021▲ advanced 9 months | 15 Jul 2014▲ advanced 18 months | C▲ became current | C▲ became current |
| EB-3 | 01 Jun 2024▲ advanced 14 months | 15 Jun 2021▲ advanced 6 months | 15 Nov 2013▲ advanced 6 months | 01 Jun 2024▲ advanced 14 months | 01 Aug 2023▲ advanced 6 months |
| EB-3 Other Workers | 01 Feb 2022▲ advanced 7 months | 01 Feb 2019▲ advanced 21 months | 15 Nov 2013▲ advanced 6 months | 01 Feb 2022▲ advanced 7 months | 01 Nov 2021▲ advanced 4 months |
| EB-4 | 15 Jul 2022▲ became available again | 15 Jul 2022▲ became available again | 15 Jul 2022▲ became available again | 15 Jul 2022▲ became available again | 15 Jul 2022▲ became available again |
| Certain Religious Workers | 15 Jul 2022▲ became available again | 15 Jul 2022▲ became available again | 15 Jul 2022▲ became available again | 15 Jul 2022▲ became available again | 15 Jul 2022▲ became available again |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C■ | 22 Sep 2016▲ advanced 9 months | 01 May 2022▲ advanced 2.5 years | C■ | C■ |
The three EB-5 set-aside rows (rural, high unemployment, infrastructure) were current for every country in May 2026.
May 2026 family-sponsored dates
Family dates are compared with April 2026. F2A for most countries was current, unchanged. 29 cells were current (C). History: F2A; backlog in years: wait-time table.
| Category | Rest of world | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01 Oct 2018▲ advanced 7 months | 01 Oct 2018▲ advanced 7 months | 01 Oct 2018▲ advanced 7 months | 01 Oct 2008▲ advanced 6 months | 22 Apr 2015■ |
| F2A | C■ | C■ | C■ | C■ | C■ |
| F2B | 01 Jan 2018▲ advanced 5 months | 01 Jan 2018▲ advanced 5 months | 01 Jan 2018▲ advanced 5 months | 15 May 2010■ | 01 Oct 2013■ |
| F3 | 08 Dec 2012▲ advanced 16 days | 08 Dec 2012▲ advanced 16 days | 08 Dec 2012▲ advanced 16 days | 15 Jul 2001▲ advanced 14 days | 08 Aug 2006▲ advanced 24 days |
| F4 | 01 Sep 2009▲ advanced 4 months | 01 Sep 2009▲ advanced 4 months | 15 Dec 2006■ | 30 Apr 2001■ | 22 Mar 2008■ |
Fiscal year 2026 context
May 2026 is in the middle of fiscal year 2026; mid-year bulletins tend to adjust dates as the State Department sees how quickly numbers are being used. USCIS used a different employment chart in October 2025, so the year-to-date comparison is not like for like. No category was marked U in May 2026.
USCIS's choice of chart matters as much as the dates: in May 2026 it accepted Final Action Dates for employment-based I-485s.[4] The chart history page lists every month's choice since 2015.
- Previous month: visa bulletin April 2026
- Next month: visa bulletin June 2026
- Check your own date: priority date calculator
Frequently asked questions
Did EB-2 India move in the May 2026 visa bulletin?
Yes. EB-2 India advanced 18 months on the Final Action Dates chart: it read 01 Jan 2013 in September 2025 and 15 Jul 2014 in May 2026.
Which chart did USCIS accept for May 2026?
For employment-based adjustment of status, USCIS accepted Final Action Dates; for family-sponsored cases, Dates for Filing. Applicants whose category is current on the Final Action Dates chart may also file under it.
Was any category unavailable in May 2026?
No. No category or country was marked U in May 2026.
When was the May 2026 visa bulletin in effect?
From May 1 to May 31, 2026. The State Department publishes each bulletin in the middle of the previous month.
Sources
- When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: May 2026
- When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: September 2025
- When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: April 2026
- Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin
- The Visa Bulletin (monthly publication and archive)