EB-2 India retrogressed 13 months — priority dates moved back significantly.
July 2026 Visa Bulletin
The July 2026 Visa Bulletin brings a significant setback for EB-2 India applicants: the final action date retrogressed 13 months, from January 2014 back to December 2012. Retrogression happens when demand for visa numbers in a category exceeds the annual supply, forcing the State Department to move the cutoff backward. EB-3 India, EB-2 China, and EB-3 China held steady, while all Rest-of-World employment categories remain current.
Final Action Dates
| Category | India | China | Rest of World |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | Dec 1 2012 | May 1 2020 | Current |
| EB-3 | Jul 22 2012 | Mar 1 2020 | Current |
Key Changes This Month
- EB-2 India retrogressed 13 months, from Jan 2014 to Dec 1, 2012.
- EB-3 India held at Jul 22, 2012 — now ahead of EB-2 India for some applicants.
- EB-2 China and EB-3 China unchanged at May 1, 2020 and Mar 1, 2020.
- All Rest-of-World employment-based categories remain current.
Who Is Affected
EB-2 India applicants
If your priority date is between Dec 2012 and Jan 2014, you are no longer current and must wait for the date to advance again.
Pending I-485 filers
Already-filed adjustment applications are not withdrawn, but new EB-2 India filings in the retrogressed window must pause.
EB-3 downgrade candidates
With EB-3 India now effectively ahead for some, a downgrade from EB-2 to EB-3 may become worth evaluating.
What To Do Now
- 1Locate your priority date on your I-140 approval notice and compare it to the Dec 1, 2012 EB-2 India cutoff.
- 2If you fall inside the retrogressed window, do not file I-485 until the date advances past your priority date.
- 3Discuss a possible EB-2 to EB-3 downgrade with your attorney if EB-3 India is more favorable for you.
- 4Set an alert so you are notified the moment EB-2 India moves forward again.
Frequently asked questions
Why did EB-2 India retrogress in July 2026?
Demand for EB-2 India visa numbers exceeded the amount available for the fiscal year, so the State Department moved the final action date backward to keep issuance within the annual limit.
Is EB-3 India now better than EB-2 India?
After the July 2026 EB-2 India retrogression to Dec 2012, EB-3 India (Jul 22, 2012) is close to or ahead of the retrogressed EB-2 India date. Whether a downgrade helps depends on your specific priority date and case posture.
Does retrogression affect an already-filed I-485?
No. A pending I-485 is not withdrawn if the date retrogresses, but USCIS generally cannot approve it until your priority date is current again.
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