May 2026 Visa Bulletin Shows Continued Advancement in Key Categories

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The U.S. Department of State has released the May 2026 Visa Bulletin, and several family‑based and employment‑based categories continue to advance. Applicants with long‑pending priority dates may see new opportunities to move forward with immigrant visa processing or adjustment of status.

Significant Updates

Family‑Sponsored Categories

F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents)
- Final Action Dates advance to August 1, 2024 for most countries and August 1, 2023 for Mexico.
- Dates for Filing remain Current for all countries, allowing eligible applicants to file immediately.
F1, F2B, F3, and F4 categories show modest forward movement, though Mexico and the Philippines remain significantly backlogged.

Employment‑Based Categories

EB‑1
- Current for all countries except China and India, which remain at April 1, 2023.
EB‑2
- Worldwide remains Current.
- China advances to September 1, 2021; India remains at July 15, 2014.
EB‑3
- Worldwide remains at June 1, 2024.
- China advances to June 15, 2021; India remains at November 15, 2013.
EB‑5 (Investor Visas)
- Set‑aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) remain Current for all countries.
- Unreserved: China remains at September 22, 2016; India at May 1, 2022.
- The State Department warns that EB‑5 unreserved for India may retrogress later this fiscal year due to increased demand.

Diversity Visa (DV‑2026) Program

DV numbers remain available across all regions, but the State Department cautions that numbers may be exhausted before September 30, 2026.
Applicants should act promptly to avoid losing eligibility.

Why These Changes Are Happening

The State Department notes that visa issuance for certain countries has slowed due to national security and administrative actions. To ensure full use of FY‑2026 visa numbers, priority dates have been advanced across multiple categories. However, retrogression remains possible if demand increases.

Recommended Next Steps

Adjustment of Status applicants: Monitor USCIS guidance on whether the Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing chart applies for May. Prepare documentation now if your priority date is current.
Consular processing applicants: Ensure all civil documents and financial evidence are up to date with the National Visa Center.
EB‑5 investors: Consider set‑aside categories for faster processing and reduced backlog risk.
DV‑2026 selectees: Move quickly—visa availability is not guaranteed through the end of the fiscal year.