What is a Green Card Priority Date?

Your priority date is the date USCIS received your labor certification (PERM) or I-140 petition. It acts as your place in line for a green card number.

What is a Final Action Date?

The Final Action Date is the cutoff date published in the monthly Visa Bulletin. Your priority date must be earlier than this date before USCIS can approve your I-485 or the consulate can issue your immigrant visa.

What is retrogression?

Retrogression occurs when Final Action Dates move backward in the Visa Bulletin. This happens when USCIS is on pace to exceed the annual per-country green card limits. During retrogression, pending I-485 applications cannot be adjudicated.

What is a Green Card Priority Date?

Your priority date is the date USCIS received your labor certification (PERM) or I-140 petition. It acts as your place in line for a green card number.

What is a Final Action Date?

The Final Action Date is the cutoff date published in the monthly Visa Bulletin. Your priority date must be earlier than this date before USCIS can approve your I-485 or the consulate can issue your immigrant visa.

What is retrogression?

Retrogression occurs when Final Action Dates move backward in the Visa Bulletin. This happens when USCIS is on pace to exceed the annual per-country green card limits. During retrogression, pending I-485 applications cannot be adjudicated.

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Green Card Priority Date Tracker

July 2026 Visa Bulletin Final Action Dates — verified from the U.S. Department of State.

Find Your Priority Date

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EB Category

July 2026 Final Action Date

⏳ Unavailable (U)

EB-2 (Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability) — 🇮🇳 India

Note: India EB-2 is designated as Unavailable (U) for the remainder of the fiscal year (through September 30, 2026) due to the annual category cap being reached. No new filings or approvals can occur until October 2026.

Full July 2026 Final Action Dates (Employment-Based)

Category	🇮🇳 India	🇨🇳 China	🇲🇽 Mexico	🇵🇭 Philippines	🌍 Rest of World
EB-1 (Priority Workers / Multinational Managers)	October 15, 2022	June 1, 2023	Current	Current	Current
EB-2 (Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability)	Unavailable (U)	September 1, 2021	Current	Current	Current
EB-3 (Skilled Workers / Professionals)	January 1, 2014	December 22, 2021	August 1, 2024	August 1, 2023	August 1, 2024
EB-3 Other Workers (Unskilled)	January 1, 2014	April 1, 2019	March 1, 2022	December 1, 2021	March 1, 2022

Source: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin, July 2026. USCIS confirmed use of Final Action Dates chart for July 2026 (Dates for Filing chart NOT available).

📅 Final Action Date

Your priority date must be BEFORE this date for USCIS to approve your I-485 (Adjustment of Status) or issue your immigrant visa at the consulate. Updated monthly.

📋 Date for Filing

An earlier date that sometimes lets you file I-485 before your case can be decided. USCIS chooses monthly whether to allow this. In July 2026, only Final Action Dates apply.

⬅️ Retrogression

When Final Action Dates move backward. Happens when USCIS is on track to exceed annual per-country caps. Pending I-485s cannot be adjudicated during retrogression.

🔄 I-485 vs DS-260

I-485 (Adjustment of Status): Filed from inside the U.S. Gives you I-765 work permit and I-131 travel parole. DS-260 (Consular Processing): Filed via U.S. Embassy abroad. Often faster but requires travel.