There is disappointing news for Indian professionals waiting for a US Green Card.
The August 2026 Visa Bulletin released by the US State Department brings little relief, with no major progress in employment-based Green Card categories.
The department has also warned that if India’s annual visa quota is exhausted, the EB-1 category could become unavailable in the coming weeks.
This could further increase the waiting period for many applicants.
EB-1 Category May Also Face Restrictions
According to the US State Department, demand for the EB-1 category remains very high among Indian applicants.
If India reaches its annual visa limit before September 30, 2026, the government may temporarily stop issuing Green Cards under the EB-1 category as well.
Officials said visa usage is being closely monitored, and further changes could be made depending on demand.
No Relief for EB-2 Applicants
The situation remains difficult for Indian professionals applying under the EB-2 category.
The August 2026 Visa Bulletin continues to list the Final Action Date as “Unavailable (U)”, which means no Green Cards will be issued under this category during the month.
This category had already become unavailable in July after the annual visa limit was reached.
What Does the Visa Bulletin Mean?
The US State Department releases the Visa Bulletin every month to help Green Card applicants understand where they stand in the queue.
It mainly includes two important dates:
Filing Date: This tells applicants when they can submit their Green Card or adjustment of status application.
Final Action Date: This shows when the government can approve a Green Card application.
It reflects how far the queue has moved and gives an idea of the waiting period.
Latest Green Card Status for Indian Applicants
EB-1 Category
This category is meant for outstanding professors, researchers, multinational executives, and managers.
Final Action Date: October 15, 2022 (No change)
Filing Date: December 1, 2023 (No change)
EB-2 Category
This category is for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
Final Action Date: Unavailable (U)
Filing Date: January 15, 2015 (No change)
EB-3 Category
This category covers skilled workers, professionals, and many H-1B visa holders.
Final Action Date: January 1, 2014 (No change)
Filing Date: January 15, 2015 (No change)
Long Wait Continues for Indian Professionals
India remains one of the largest sources of employment-based Green Card applicants, which has led to long waiting periods across most visa categories.
With no movement in key categories and the possibility of new restrictions on EB-1 visas, many Indian professionals may have to wait even longer for permanent residency in the United States.
Applicants already in the Green Card queue should keep checking the monthly Visa Bulletin for the latest updates on their category.
