July 2026 US Visa Bulletin makes India EB-2 and EB-5 unreserved unavailable
The US Department of State’s July 2026 Visa Bulletin shows further tightening for several India employment-based green-card categories. In the July final action dates table, India EB-2 and India EB-5 unreserved are both marked `U`, meaning unavailable for that bulletin period.
This should not be read as an individual denial, and it does not mean every EB-5 route is closed. The change is primarily about visa-number availability. When a country or category reaches its annual limit, that category may become unavailable in the monthly bulletin.
What changed
In the July 2026 employment-based final action dates table:
- India EB-2 is listed as `U`, unavailable.
- India EB-5 unreserved is also listed as `U`.
- India EB-1 retrogressed.
- EB-5 set-aside categories are listed separately and should not be confused with EB-5 unreserved.
The Department of State says India’s prorated EB-2 limit has been reached, so the category is unavailable for the remainder of FY 2026. The bulletin also says India’s EB-5 unreserved limit has been reached, so that category is unavailable for the remainder of FY 2026.
Zagdim reading
The common misreading is to treat a visa bulletin change as if a route has disappeared or a pending case has failed. A more careful reading is that this is first a timing and category-availability issue.
Affected applicants should check their chargeability country, employment-based category, priority date, and whether an EB-5 case is unreserved or set aside. If the case involves adjustment of status in the United States, USCIS filing-chart instructions for the month also need separate confirmation. This draft does not use the Visa Bulletin alone to advise filing strategy.
Key reminders
This update is not legal or immigration advice. The Visa Bulletin shows monthly visa-number availability; it does not decide whether an individual applicant can file, should switch category, or should change an investment or relocation plan.
Applicants, employers, families and advisers may need to check:
- chargeability country;
- employment-based preference category;
- priority date;
- whether an EB-5 case is unreserved or set aside;
- consular processing versus adjustment of status;
- the relevant USCIS instruction if adjustment of status is involved.
FAQ
Is India EB-2 completely unavailable in July 2026?
The July 2026 Visa Bulletin lists India EB-2 as `U`. The Department of State says India’s EB-2 prorated limit has been reached, so the category is unavailable for the remainder of FY 2026.
Is all India EB-5 closed?
No. The unavailable line in this bulletin is India EB-5 unreserved. EB-5 set-aside categories are listed separately and should not be treated as the same line.
Does this mean pending cases were denied?
No. A visa bulletin shows visa-number availability. It does not mean an individual petition or application has been denied.
Will the categories definitely recover in October?
The bulletin notes that movement may resume in the new fiscal year, but the actual level depends on demand and FY 2027 annual limits. It should not be written as a guarantee.
Source note
This draft is based on the US Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for July 2026. It addresses the confirmed final action dates and Department of State explanatory notes only. It does not add USCIS filing-chart guidance, DHS rule changes or case-specific strategy that has not been separately verified.
US Department of State – Visa Bulletin for July 2026
