The U.S. Department of State has published Visa Bulletin No. 14, Volume XI, governing immigrant visa availability for May 2026. At Ahluwalia Law Offices, PC, we review every bulletin at release so our clients understand exactly where they stand and what steps they can take right now.
HIGHLIGHTS AT A GLANCE
- EB1 is current for most countries — India and China-born applicants face a cutoff of April 1, 2023
- EB2 India sits at July 15, 2014 — more than 11 years of backlog. Long-term strategy is essential
- EB3 India is at November 15, 2013 — over 12 years back
- EB5 Set-Aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) are current for every country, including India and China — the most compelling opportunity in this bulletin
- F2A is current in the Dates for Filing chart — spouses and children of permanent residents may file regardless of priority date if USCIS authorizes that chart
- Date advances across multiple categories were made because immigrant visa issuance rates have slowed for certain countries under current administration actions and Presidential Proclamations (10949 and 10998) — the Department of State has explicitly warned that retrogression may be necessary later in FY2026
- India EB-5 Unreserved faces a potential retrogression risk — the bulletin flags this specifically for monitoring
- DV-2026 annual limit is approximately 52,000 after NACARA and NDAA reductions; DV entitlement ends September 30, 2026
- Always confirm which chart USCIS has authorized at www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo before filing
What Is the Visa Bulletin and Why Does It Matter?
The Visa Bulletin is published monthly by the U.S. Department of State. It governs when immigrant visa applicants can move forward in their cases — either by filing at a U.S. consulate abroad or by filing for Adjustment of Status with USCIS. Two sets of dates control this process:
Final Action Dates determine when a visa number can actually be issued or an Adjustment of Status approved.
Dates for Filing determine when applicants may submit documentation in advance of visa availability.
USCIS must confirm each month whether the Dates for Filing chart may be used for Adjustment of Status filings. Always verify at www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo before filing.
EMPLOYMENT-BASED PRIORITY DATES — MAY 2026
A. Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Cases
Numbers are authorized only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the date listed. “C” means current. “U” means unauthorized.
| Employment-Based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | C | 01APR23 | 01APR23 | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 01SEP21 | 15JUL14 | C | C |
| 3rd | 01JUN24 | 15JUN21 | 15NOV13 | 01JUN24 | 01AUG23 |
| Other Workers | 01FEB22 | 01FEB19 | 15NOV13 | 01FEB22 | 01NOV21 |
| 4th | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 |
| 5th Unreserved (C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) | C | 22SEP16 | 01MAY22 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%, NR, RR) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%, NH, RH) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%, RI) | C | C | C | C | C |
EB1 (Priority Workers): Current for most of the world. India and China-born applicants face an April 1, 2023 cutoff. If you are India-born and qualify for EB1A extraordinary ability or EB1B outstanding researcher, this cutoff is workable for petitions filed in recent years. Confirm your priority date with your attorney now.
EB2 (Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability): India sits at July 15, 2014 — over 11 years of backlog. India-born applicants in this category need a structured long-term strategy conversation. Options worth evaluating include EB1A extraordinary ability, refining a National Interest Waiver petition, or examining EB5 set-aside as an alternative pathway. These decisions require individualized analysis.
EB3 (Skilled Workers and Professionals): India is at November 15, 2013 — more than 12 years of wait. India-born EB3 applicants with more recent priority dates are looking at potentially decades-long queues under the current per-country cap structure. Proactive case strategy is not optional at this stage. It is necessary.
EB5 Unreserved: China-born applicants face a September 22, 2016 cutoff. India at May 1, 2022 is a marked improvement relative to EB2 and EB3, but the bulletin explicitly warns that sufficient demand from India in the EB5 unreserved categories may force retrogression or make the category unavailable before the end of FY2026. India-born EB5 investors should evaluate timing carefully.
EB5 Set-Asides — Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure: Current for every country, including India and China, in all three reserved categories. This is the most compelling opportunity in the May 2026 bulletin. For Indian-born clients navigating multi-year EB2 or EB3 backlogs who can meet the investment threshold, these set-aside pathways deserve immediate and serious evaluation. These dates will not hold indefinitely as investor demand for set-aside visas grows.
B. Dates for Filing Employment-Based Visa Applications
Applicants with a priority date earlier than the date shown may assemble and submit required documents. Confirm at www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo whether USCIS has authorized this chart for Adjustment of Status filings this month.
| Employment-Based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | C | 01DEC23 | 01DEC23 | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 01JAN22 | 15JAN15 | C | C |
| 3rd | C | 01JAN22 | 15JAN15 | C | 01JAN24 |
| Other Workers | 01AUG22 | 01OCT19 | 15JAN15 | 01AUG22 | 01AUG22 |
| 4th | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| 5th Unreserved (C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) | C | 01MAR17 | 01MAY24 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%, NR, RR) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%, NH, RH) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%, RI) | C | C | C | C | C |
Source: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin No. 14, Volume XI, May 2026
Dates for Filing vs. Final Action Dates: The Dates for Filing chart is consistently ahead of Final Action Dates. Filing under this chart — when USCIS authorizes it — lets applicants submit Form I-485 and related applications, establish a USCIS receipt date, and trigger eligibility for Employment Authorization Documents and Advance Parole. This is strategically significant, particularly for India-born EB2 and EB3 applicants.
India EB2 under Dates for Filing: At January 15, 2015, India-born clients with priority dates in early 2015 or earlier may be positioned to file I-485 if USCIS authorizes this chart. Confirm priority dates and authorization monthly.
EB5 Set-Asides under Dates for Filing: All three reserved categories remain current for all countries — consistent with the Final Action Dates chart. Investors who have filed or are ready to file Form I-526E for rural, high unemployment, or infrastructure projects are in the most advantageous position in the entire employment-based queue this month.
FAMILY-SPONSORED PRIORITY DATES — MAY 2026
A. Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Cases
| Family-Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 15AUG07 | 01MAY13 |
| F2A | 01AUG24 | 01AUG24 | 01AUG24 | 01AUG23 | 01AUG24 |
| F2B | 22MAY17 | 22MAY17 | 22MAY17 | 15FEB09 | 08APR13 |
| F3 | 15FEB12 | 15FEB12 | 15FEB12 | 01MAY01 | 22NOV05 |
| F4 | 15SEP08 | 15SEP08 | 01NOV06 | 08APR01 | 15JUL07 |
Source: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin No. 14, Volume XI, May 2026
Note: For May, F2A numbers exempt from the per-country limit are authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than August 1, 2023. F2A numbers subject to the per-country limit are authorized for applicants from all countries except Mexico with priority dates beginning August 1, 2023 and earlier than August 1, 2024. All F2A numbers for Mexico are exempt from the per-country limit.
F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens): Most countries sit at September 1, 2017. Mexico faces a severe gap at August 15, 2007 — nearly 19 years back. Philippines is at May 1, 2013. These are long queues with limited movement. U.S. citizen parents of unmarried adult children should plan around these timelines from the outset.
F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): The most actionable family category this month. Most countries are at August 1, 2024 for Final Action Dates, with Mexico slightly behind at August 1, 2023. LPR sponsors should confirm priority dates and evaluate whether the Dates for Filing chart authorization this month opens an immediate filing window.
F2B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters 21 and Older of Permanent Residents): At May 22, 2017 for most countries. Mexico is at February 15, 2009 and Philippines at April 8, 2013. Unmarried adult children of LPRs from these countries face extended waits with no near-term relief visible.
F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens): Most countries at February 15, 2012. Mexico at May 1, 2001 — a 25-year wait. Philippines at November 22, 2005. These families need realistic multi-decade timeline counseling alongside any available parallel strategies, including naturalization acceleration for sponsors where eligible.
F4 (Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens): Most countries at September 15, 2008 — approaching 18 years of backlog. India at November 1, 2006 and Philippines at July 15, 2007. This remains one of the most congested preference categories in the entire system.
B. Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications
| Family-Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01OCT18 | 01OCT18 | 01OCT18 | 01OCT08 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 01JAN18 | 01JAN18 | 01JAN18 | 15MAY10 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 08DEC12 | 08DEC12 | 08DEC12 | 15JUL01 | 08AUG06 |
| F4 | 01SEP09 | 01SEP09 | 15DEC06 | 30APR01 | 22MAR08 |
Source: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin No. 14, Volume XI, May 2026
F2A under Dates for Filing: F2A is current across all countries. If USCIS authorizes use of the Dates for Filing chart this month, every F2A applicant regardless of priority date may be eligible to file Form I-485. This also means immediate eligibility for Employment Authorization and Advance Parole upon filing — a significant benefit for eligible family members of LPRs currently on nonimmigrant status.
Important distinction: Filing under the Dates for Filing chart establishes a receipt date and triggers EAD and Advance Parole eligibility, but the green card itself cannot be approved until the Final Action Date is also reached. Applicants should understand this clearly before filing.
DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT (DV) CATEGORY — MAY 2026
The DV-2026 annual limit is approximately 52,000 after reductions required by NACARA and Section 5104 of the NDAA for FY2024. Entitlement to DV immigrant status ends September 30, 2026. Numbers could be exhausted before that date. DV-2026 applicants should act without delay.
May 2026 DV Cutoffs:
| Region | Allocation Cut-Off |
|---|---|
| Africa | 55,000 (Except: Algeria 37,000; Egypt 30,000) |
| Asia | 35,000 (Except: Nepal 10,000) |
| Europe | 20,000 |
| North America (Bahamas) | 50 |
| Oceania | 1,500 |
| South America and the Caribbean | 3,000 |
June 2026 DV Cutoffs (advance notice):
| Region | Allocation Cut-Off |
|---|---|
| Africa | 55,000 (Except: Algeria 37,000; Egypt 30,000) |
| Asia | 35,000 (Except: Nepal 11,000) |
| Europe | 20,000 |
| North America (Bahamas) | 50 |
| Oceania | 1,500 |
| South America and the Caribbean | 3,000 |
Nepal moves from 10,000 to 11,000 into June. DV-2026 applicants with high rank numbers should monitor availability closely through the end of the fiscal year and move quickly when their number becomes current.
A CRITICAL NOTE ON DATE ADVANCES AND RETROGRESSION RISK
The May 2026 bulletin states plainly that dates across various categories were advanced because immigrant visa issuance rates have declined for certain countries under current administration enforcement actions, including Presidential Proclamation 10949 and Presidential Proclamation 10998. To ensure visa numbers are used as Congress intended, the Department of State advanced cutoff dates for other eligible applicants.
The bulletin also states directly that as demand patterns shift or administration actions are amended, retrogression may be necessary later in FY2026 to keep issuances within annual limits. Favorable dates today do not guarantee favorable dates in future bulletins. The time to act on open filing windows is while they are open.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR CASE
Every movement in the Visa Bulletin — forward or backward — affects the timing of every step in your green card process. If you are India-born in an EB2 or EB3 category, your wait remains substantial and strategy matters now. If you are in an EB1 or an EB5 set-aside category, the current windows represent actionable opportunities today. If you are a spouse or child of a permanent resident, confirm whether the Dates for Filing chart is authorized this month.
Our attorneys at Ahluwalia Law Offices, PC analyze every bulletin not just for what the dates say, but for what they signal about the right strategic move for each client.
FAQ MAY 2026 VISA BULLETIN
What is the May 2026 Visa Bulletin?
The May 2026 Visa Bulletin is the monthly publication from the U.S. Department of State governing when immigrant visa numbers are available for family-sponsored and employment-based green card applicants. It sets the Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing that determine when applicants may proceed with their cases.
What does “current” mean in the Visa Bulletin?
A category marked “C” is current, meaning visa numbers are available for all qualified applicants regardless of priority date. A date listed means only applicants with a priority date earlier than that date may proceed. “U” means the category is unauthorized and no numbers are available.
Can I file my I-485 using the Dates for Filing chart in May 2026?
Only if USCIS has confirmed that the Dates for Filing chart may be used for Adjustment of Status filings this month. Always verify at www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo before filing. Filing under the Dates for Filing chart does not mean your green card will be approved immediately — it establishes your place in line and enables you to apply for work authorization and Advance Parole.
What is the best employment-based green card option for India-born applicants right now?
For India-born applicants facing EB2 and EB3 backlogs of over 10 to 12 years, the EB5 set-aside categories (rural, high unemployment, and infrastructure) are currently the most favorable options available, with current dates for all countries. EB1A extraordinary ability is also worth evaluating for qualified individuals. Each situation requires individualized analysis. Contact Ahluwalia Law Offices to evaluate your specific case.
Is there retrogression risk in May 2026?
Yes. The Department of State explicitly stated in the May 2026 bulletin that retrogression may be necessary later in FY2026 as demand patterns shift or administration policies evolve. The India EB-5 unreserved category is specifically flagged for monitoring. Act on favorable dates while they are available.
When does DV-2026 entitlement expire?
Entitlement to DV-2026 immigrant status ends September 30, 2026. Diversity visa numbers could be exhausted before that date. DV-2026 applicants should not wait.
