The U.S. Department of State has released the August 2026 visa bulletin. The Visa Bulletin details the availability of immigrant visas for consular processing and adjustment of status applications for August 2026. The bulletin includes both the Final Action Dates and the Dates for Filing for employment-based and Family-Based immigrant visa categories. In addition, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announces each month which chart applicants should use to file their Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications.
Importantly, USCIS has confirmed that it will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications under the Final Action Dates chart (Chart A) in August 2026. Foreign nationals must have a priority date earlier than the applicable Final Action Date for their preference category and country of chargeability to file. For more information, applicants can visit the USCIS Visa Bulletin page.
Below is a summary of the key developments in the August 2026 Visa Bulletin:
Employment-Based Categories
This month’s bulletin underscores a recurring theme: demand for employment-based green cards remains exceptionally high, and India continues to bear the brunt of it.
In the EB-1 category, the final action date for China advances one month, to July 1, 2023. India’s date holds steady at October 15, 2022. All other countries remain current. The State Department has also warned that the EB-1 India date could become unavailable in the coming weeks if demand keeps pace.
In the EB-2 category, the final action date for China doesn’t change from last month. EB-2 remains unavailable for Indian nationals for the rest of the fiscal year. All other countries remain current.
In the EB-3 Professional and Skilled Workers category, the final action date for China advances by just over a week, to January 1, 2022. India and the Philippines don’t change from last month. All other countries advance by one month, to September 1, 2024.
In the EB-3 Other Workers category, the final action date for China advances by one month, to May 1, 2019. India and the Philippines don’t change from last month. All other countries advance by one month, to April 1, 2022.
In the EB-4 category, the final action date for all countries advances by one month, to October 15, 2022.
In the EB-5 category, the final action date for China doesn’t change from last month, and remains unavailable for India, same as EB-2. All other countries remain current.
In the dates for filing category, the cutoff dates for all countries don’t change from last month across all employment-based categories.
Family-Based Categories
For August 2026, USCIS has announced that applicants in the Family-Based immigrant visa categories should refer to the Dates for Filing chart when submitting adjustment of status applications. This month’s bulletin reflects forward movement across most categories.
In the F-1 category, which includes unmarried sons and daughters (21 years or older) of U.S. citizens, the dates for filing for Mexico and the Philippines don’t change from last month. Dates for filing for all other countries advance by roughly six months, to June 15, 2019.
For final action dates, the cutoff for the Philippines doesn’t change from last month. Mexico’s cutoff advances by one month, to December 1, 2007. All other countries advance by ten months, to December 15, 2018.
In the F-2A category, which covers spouses and unmarried children (under age 21) of U.S. green card holders, dates for filing remain current for all countries.
For final action dates, Mexico’s cutoff advances by roughly nineteen months, to July 22, 2025. All other countries advance by roughly nineteen months as well, to July 22, 2026.
In the F-2B category, which covers unmarried children (21 or older) of a U.S. green card holder, dates for filing for Mexico and the Philippines don’t change from last month. Dates for filing for all other countries advance six months, to January 1, 2019.
For final action dates, Mexico’s cutoff doesn’t change from last month. The Philippines’ cutoff advances by two weeks, to June 1, 2013. All other countries advance by six weeks, to January 1, 2018.
In the F-3 category, covering married children of U.S. citizens, dates for filing for Mexico and the Philippines don’t change from last month. Dates for filing for all other countries advance by four months, to March 1, 2013.
For final action dates, Mexico and the Philippines don’t change from last month. All other countries advance by one month, to May 15, 2012.
In the F-4 category, covering brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, dates for filing for India, Mexico, and the Philippines don’t change from last month. Dates for filing for all other countries advance by roughly three and a half months, to June 22, 2010.
For final action dates, India, Mexico, and the Philippines don’t change from last month. All other countries advance by roughly eight months, to September 1, 2009.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical you get the right advice.