July 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 and EB-5 (Unreserved) for India Listed as ‘Unavailable’ for the Rest of FY 2026

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) published the Visa Bulletin for July 2026, which controls when many people can move forward in the green card process (either through a U.S. consulate abroad or by filing Form I-485 inside the United States, depending on the month’s USCIS filing-chart guidance).

A key development in the July 2026 bulletin is that DOS states that two employment-based categories for applicants chargeable to India have reached their pro-rated annual limits for fiscal year (FY) 2026:

• EB-2 India (advanced-degree professionals / exceptional ability)
• EB-5 India (unreserved) (immigrant investor, unreserved categories)

In the bulletin’s notes, DOS explains that because of high demand and number use, India’s pro-rated limits were reached and each category is listed as “unavailable for the remainder of FY 2026.”

What DOS says (official wording)

The July 2026 Visa Bulletin includes these statements:

• EB-2 India: “Due to high demand and number use by aliens chargeable to India in the EB-2 visa category, India’s pro-rated EB-2 limit was reached and the category is unavailable for the remainder of FY 2026.”
• EB-5 India (unreserved): “Due to high demand and number use by aliens chargeable to India in the EB-5 unreserved visa category, India’s pro-rated EB-5 unreserved limit was reached and the category is unavailable for the remainder of FY 2026.”

The bulletin also notes that these categories may move again when the next fiscal year begins (starting October 1), but the exact cut-off dates will depend on demand and the new FY 2027 annual limits.

What this means for you

• If you are waiting in EB-2 India or EB-5 India (unreserved): “Unavailable” generally means visa numbers are not available to issue an immigrant visa or approve adjustment of status in that category for the rest of the fiscal year. You may still have steps you can take (such as preparing documents), but timing and eligibility depend on your specific situation.
• If you are in a different category: Many categories for other countries remain “Current,” and some cut-off dates moved forward or backward (retrogressed). It is important to review the chart for your category and country of chargeability.
• If you are unsure which chart applies to an I-485 filing: USCIS decides each month whether applicants may use the “Dates for Filing” chart or the “Final Action Dates” chart, so it’s important to confirm the current month’s application guidance before submitting.

This post is general information, not legal advice.

We can help

Asal Immigration Services helps Columbus-area clients and individuals understand Visa Bulletin changes and plan practical next steps. If you want to talk about your category, priority date, and timeline, you can contact us to schedule a consultation. You can also review our forms and guides and resources to learn more.