US Visa Bulletin Delivers Major Setback for Indian H-1B Workers Waiting for EB-1 And EB-2 Green Card
The US Department of State’s June 2026 Visa Bulletin has brought major disappointment for Indian employment-based Green Card applicants, especially those applying under the EB-1 And EB-2 Green Card.
India’s:
- EB-1 Final Action Date moved backward by nearly 3.5 months to December 15, 2022
- EB-2 Final Action Date retrogressed by over 10 months to September 1, 2013
The retrogression means many Indian professionals expecting Green Card approvals may now face longer waiting times and additional uncertainty in the coming months.
Quick Summary : EB-1 And EB-2 Green Card
| Green Card Category | India Final Action Date | Change |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | December 15, 2022 | Retrogressed by 3.5 months |
| EB-2 | September 1, 2013 | Retrogressed by 10+ months |
| EB-3 | December 15, 2013 | Slight forward movement |
| EB-5 | May 1, 2022 | No change |
What Is Happening in the June 2026 Visa Bulletin?
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin confirms major retrogression for Indian applicants in key employment-based Green Card categories.
This affects thousands of:
- H-1B visa holders
- Indian tech professionals
- Engineers
- Doctors
- Researchers
- IT workers
waiting for US permanent residency.
The biggest impact is being seen in:
✔ EB-1
✔ EB-2
categories.
What Is EB-1?
The:
EB-1 Employment-Based Green Card Category
is generally reserved for:
- Individuals with extraordinary ability
- Outstanding professors and researchers
- Multinational executives and managers
EB-1 is traditionally considered one of the fastest employment-based Green Card pathways.
What Is EB-2?
The:
EB-2 Green Card Category
is commonly used by highly skilled professionals, including:
- Software engineers
- Data scientists
- Doctors
- Researchers
- Advanced degree holders
Most Indian H-1B workers typically apply under:
✔ EB-2
✔ EB-3
categories.
What Is a Final Action Date For EB-1 And EB-2 Green Card?
The:
Final Action Date
in the monthly Visa Bulletin determines:
👉 Who can actually receive Green Card approval during that month.
If your:
✔ Priority Date is earlier than the Final Action Date
then your Green Card application can move forward for approval.
Understanding Priority Date
Priority Date
usually refers to:
- The date the PERM labor certification was filed
OR - The date USCIS received the I-140 petition
This date effectively determines your place in the Green Card queue.
India EB-1 Retrogresses to December 15, 2022
One of the biggest surprises in the June bulletin:
India EB-1 Final Action Date
moved backward to:
📅 December 15, 2022
This retrogression is approximately:
📉 3.5 months backward
This means:
- Applicants with later priority dates must continue waiting
- Pending Green Card approvals may pause temporarily
India EB-2 Retrogresses to September 1, 2013
EB-2 India Category
saw an even larger setback.
New Final Action Date:
📅 September 1, 2013
This represents:
📉 More than 10 months of retrogression
The change significantly affects Indian professionals already facing some of the world’s longest Green Card waiting periods.
Why Is Retrogression Happening?
The US government says the main reason is:
Extremely High Demand
According to USCIS and the State Department:
- Visa demand from Indian applicants exceeded annual limits
- Employment-based categories reached quota pressure quickly
- Usage levels forced the government to move dates backward
The official explanation stated:
“High demand and number use by aliens chargeable to India in the EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories have made it necessary to retrogress the final action dates.”
USCIS Warns of Further Retrogression
US authorities also warned that additional retrogression could still happen later in the fiscal year.
Officials said categories could even become:
“Unavailable”
if annual quota limits are fully exhausted before the fiscal year ends.
This means:
- More delays are possible
- Waiting times may increase further
- Future bulletins remain uncertain
EB-3 India Moves Slightly Forward
While EB-1 And EB-2 Green Card moved backward, the:
EB-3 India Category
showed a small improvement.
New EB-3 India Date:
📅 December 15, 2013
However, the movement remains limited compared to the massive existing backlog.
EB-1 And EB-2 Green Card Dates For China and Other Countries
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin also shows differences between countries.
EB-1
| Country | Final Action Date |
|---|---|
| India | Dec 15, 2022 |
| China | Apr 1, 2023 |
| All Others | Current |
EB-2
| Country | Final Action Date |
|---|---|
| India | Sep 1, 2013 |
| China | Sep 1, 2021 |
| All Others | Current |
This highlights how Indian applicants continue facing the longest waits.
EB-5 Investor Category Update
For:
EB-5 Unreserved Category
India remains at:
📅 May 1, 2022
while China stays at:
📅 September 22, 2016
However:
✔ EB-5 set-aside categories remain current for all countries.
Why Indian Applicants Face Longer Waits
The main reason is:
Per-Country Green Card Caps
US immigration law limits how many employment-based Green Cards can be issued per country each year.
Because India sends a very high number of skilled workers to the US, demand greatly exceeds available visa numbers.
This creates:
- Massive backlogs
- Multi-year waits
- Frequent retrogression
Impact on Indian H-1B Professionals
The retrogression will likely affect:
✔ Adjustment of status timelines
✔ EAD renewals
✔ Job mobility decisions
✔ Long-term immigration planning
Many professionals may now remain on H-1B status longer than expected.
What Applicants Should Do Now
✔ Continue Maintaining Valid Status
Applicants should ensure:
- H-1B status remains valid
- Extensions are filed on time
✔ Track Monthly Visa Bulletins
Dates can move:
- Forward
- Backward
- Become unavailable
depending on visa usage.
✔ Consult Immigration Attorneys
Complex EB-1 And EB-2 Green Card situations may require legal guidance, especially for:
- Cross-chargeability
- Porting strategies
- EB category upgrades
Expert Analysis: Why 2026 Is Becoming More Competitive
The June Visa Bulletin reflects a broader US immigration trend:
👉 Employment-based EB-1 And EB-2 Green Card demand is now significantly exceeding supply.
The backlog continues growing because of:
- More skilled foreign workers
- Higher H-1B usage
- Limited annual quotas
- Slow legislative reform
Without major immigration law changes, Indian applicants may continue facing very long waits.
FAQs : EB-1 And EB-2 Green Card
1. What is the new EB-1 India Final Action Date?
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin sets EB-1 India at:
📅 December 15, 2022.
2. What is the new EB-2 India Final Action Date?
The EB-2 India cutoff retrogressed to:
📅 September 1, 2013.
3. What does retrogression mean?
Retrogression means visa cutoff dates move backward because demand exceeds annual quotas.
4. Can dates move forward again later?
Yes. Visa Bulletin dates can advance or retrogress depending on visa usage.
5. Why are EB-1 And EB-2 Green Card waits so long for Indians?
Per-country visa caps combined with extremely high demand from Indian applicants create large backlogs.
Final Take On EB-1 And EB-2 Green Card
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin represents another major setback for Indian employment-based EB-1 And EB-2 Green Card applicants.
The biggest concern now is clear:
✔ Longer waiting periods
✔ Increased uncertainty
✔ Possible future retrogression
For Indian H-1B professionals, staying informed, maintaining valid immigration status, and monitoring future Visa Bulletins will remain essential throughout 2026.
Source : Times Of India
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