Introduction
The U.S. Department of State has released the August 2026 Visa Bulletin, providing updated priority dates for family-sponsored and employment-based green card categories.
The Visa Bulletin helps green card applicants determine whether they can move forward in the immigration process by comparing their priority date with the applicable cutoff dates.
For August 2026, applicants should use the following charts:
- Family-sponsored preference categories: Use the Dates for Filing chart to determine when applicants may submit their green card application.
- Employment-based preference categories: Use the Final Action Dates chart to determine when a green card application may be approved.
Before reviewing the tables below, identify your visa category and compare your priority date with the correct chart:
Is my priority date current?
If your priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff date (or the category is marked Current), you may be eligible to proceed with the next step in your green card application process.
Key Updates in the August 2026 US Visa Bulletin
The August 2026 Visa Bulletin shows continued movement in several family-sponsored and employment-based categories. Some applicants may see improved filing or approval opportunities, while heavily backlogged categories continue to experience limited movement.
Family-Based Updates from July to August 2026
Family-sponsored applicants should use the Dates for Filing chart to determine whether they can submit their green card application in August 2026.
- F1 advances by more than 5 months for most countries, while Mexico advances by 2 months. The Philippines remains unchanged.
- F2A remains Current (C) across all countries, allowing eligible applicants to file regardless of their priority date.
- F2B moves forward by nearly 7 months for most countries. Mexico and the Philippines see no movement.
- F3 advances by nearly 3 months for most countries, while India, Mexico, and the Philippines remain unchanged.
- F4 moves forward by nearly 4 months for most countries. India sees a significant advancement of more than 3 years, while Mexico and the Philippines remain unchanged.
Overall, the August 2026 Dates for Filing chart shows meaningful forward movement across several family-sponsored categories, particularly for applicants from most countries, while Mexico and the Philippines continue to experience longer backlogs in multiple preference categories.
Employment-Based Updates from July to August 2026
Employment-based applicants should use the Final Action Dates chart to determine whether their green card application is eligible for approval in August 2026.
- EB-1 remains Current for most countries. China advances by 1 month, while India remains unchanged.
- EB-2 sees no changes across all countries. It remains Current for most countries, while China stays unchanged and India remains unavailable (U).
- EB-3 advances by 1 month for most countries and China sees a slight advancement. India and the Philippines remain unchanged.
- EB-3 Other Workers moves forward by 1 month for most countries and China, while India and the Philippines remain unchanged.
- EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers advance by 1 month across all countries.
- EB-5 Unreserved remains unchanged, with the category staying Current for most countries, China unchanged, and India remaining unavailable (U).
- EB-5 Set-Aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) remain Current across all countries with no changes.
Overall, the August 2026 Final Action Dates show modest forward movement across several employment-based categories, while India continues to face significant backlogs in EB-2 and EB-3, and China sees modest advancement in EB-1 and EB-3, while EB-2 and EB-5 Unreserved remain unchanged.
The tables below include both the Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing for August 2026. Compare your priority date with the appropriate chart based on USCIS guidance to determine whether you may file your application or whether your green card may be approved this month. Check how to read the visa bulletin from our guide.
The U.S. Department of State publishes the August 2026 Visa Bulletin. Applicants should always refer to the official Visa Bulletin for the latest priority date updates. Official source: U.S. Department of State – Visa Bulletin for August 2026
The tables below show both Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing for August 2026. Compare your priority date with the correct chart to determine whether you may move forward.
Family-Sponsored Preferences
Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Applications (August 2026)
| Family-Sponsored Categories | All Other Areas | CHINA (Mainland Born) | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 15DEC18 | 15DEC18 | 15DEC18 | 01DEC07 | 01MAY13 |
| F2A | 22JUL26 | 22JUL26 | 22JUL26 | 22JUL25 | 22JUL26 |
| F2B | 01JAN18 | 01JAN18 | 01JAN18 | 15FEB09 | 01JUN13 |
| F3 | 15MAY12 | 15MAY12 | 15MAY12 | 01JUL01 | 22FEB06 |
| F4 | 01SEP09 | 01SEP09 | 01NOV06 | 08APR01 | 01AUG07 |
Dates For Filing Family-Sponsored Applications (August 2026)
| Family-Sponsored Categories | All Other Areas | CHINA (Mainland Born) | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 15JUN19 | 15JUN19 | 15JUN19 | 01DEC08 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 01JAN19 | 01JAN19 | 01JAN19 | 15MAY10 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 01MAR13 | 01MAR13 | 01MAR13 | 15JUL01 | 08AUG06 |
| F4 | 22JUN10 | 22JUN10 | 15DEC06 | 30APR01 | 22MAR08 |
Employment-Based Preferences
Final Action Dates For Employment-Based Applications (August 2026)
| Employment-Based Categories | All Other Areas | CHINA (Mainland Born) | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01JUL23 | 15OCT22 | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 01SEP21 | U | C | C |
| 3rd | 01SEP24 | 01JAN22 | 01JAN14 | 01SEP24 | 01AUG23 |
| Other Workers | 01APR22 | 01MAY19 | 01JAN14 | 01APR22 | 01DEC21 |
| 4th | 15OCT22 | 15OCT22 | 15OCT22 | 15OCT22 | 15OCT22 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 15OCT22 | 15OCT22 | 15OCT22 | 15OCT22 | 15OCT22 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) | C | 01DEC16 | U | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
Dates for Filing Employment-Based Applications (August 2026)
| Employment-Based Categories | All Other Areas | CHINA (Mainland Born) | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01DEC23 | 01DEC23 | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 01JAN22 | 15JAN15 | C | C |
| 3rd | C | 08JAN22 | 15JAN15 | C | 01JAN24 |
| Other Workers | 01AUG22 | 01OCT19 | 15JAN15 | 01AUG22 | 01AUG22 |
| 4th | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) | C | 01MAR17 | 01MAY24 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
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Diversity Immigrant (DV) Category
The Diversity Immigrant (DV) program provides immigrant visas each fiscal year to applicants from countries with historically low levels of immigration to the United States.
For FY 2026, up to 55,000 diversity visas are allocated annually under U.S. immigration law. Adjustments under NACARA and additional statutory provisions reduce the DV-2026 annual visa limit to approximately 52,000 visas. Diversity visas are distributed across six geographic regions, and no single country may receive more than 7% of available visas in a fiscal year.
Eligibility under the DV-2026 program ends on September 30, 2026. Diversity visas cannot be issued after that date, including for accompanying spouses and children. Because visa numbers are limited, availability may end before the fiscal year closes.
August 2026 Immigrant Numbers in the DV Category
For August 2026, immigrant visa numbers remain available to qualified DV-2026 applicants based on regional allocation limits and rank cutoffs.
Applicants may move forward only if their DV regional lottery rank number is lower than the applicable cutoff number shown in the table below.
Review the August 2026 DV cutoff table and compare your regional rank number to determine whether your case may continue processing this month.
| Region | All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately | |
| AFRICA | 60,000 | Except: 1. Algeria: 51,250 2. Egypt: 36,000 |
| ASIA | 40,000 | Except: 1. Nepal: 13,500 |
| EUROPE | 29,000 | |
| NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | CURRENT | |
| OCEANIA | 2,050 | |
| SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN | 4,000 |
September 2026 Diversity Visa (DV) Advance Cutoff Numbers
The August 2026 Visa Bulletin also includes advance Diversity Visa (DV) rank cutoff numbers that will apply in September 2026. These cutoff numbers help DV-2026 selectees anticipate whether their case may become eligible in the following month.
Applicants can move forward only if their regional lottery rank number is lower than the published cutoff number for their region.
| Region | All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately | |
| AFRICA | 101,250 | Except: 1. Algeria: 85,000 2. Egypt: 50,000 |
| ASIA | 40,000 | Except: 1. Nepal: 13,500 |
| EUROPE | 47,500 | |
| NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | CURRENT | |
| OCEANIA | 3,000 | |
| SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN | 4,750 |
These numbers are intended for DV-2026 applicants only and indicate projected visa availability for August. Review your regional rank number carefully to determine whether your case may become eligible next month.
August 2026 Visa Bulletin: Who’s Eligible to File AOS Right Now
If you are applying for a green card from inside the United States through Adjustment of Status (Form I-485), USCIS determines which Visa Bulletin chart you must use each month.
For August 2026, USCIS directs family-sponsored applicants to use the Dates for Filing chart and employment-based applicants to use the Final Action Dates chart.
To determine eligibility:
- Identify your visa category
- Select your country of chargeability
- Find the correct August 2026 chart
- Compare your priority date with the listed cutoff date
If your priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff date (or the category is marked Current (C)), you may be eligible to move forward with filing or approval.
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Understanding Chart Notations
- C (Current): Visa numbers are immediately available
- U (Unavailable): Visa numbers are not available for processing
Need help understanding cutoff dates and chart selection? Read our complete guide: How to Read the U.S. Visa Bulletin.
Want to estimate next steps after your date becomes current? See our guide to green card processing times.
When and How to Check the Visa Bulletin
The U.S. Department of State publishes a new Visa Bulletin each month to show whether green card applicants can move forward based on visa availability and priority dates. To avoid missing filing opportunities, review the latest bulletin monthly and compare your priority date using the correct USCIS filing chart for that month.
If you’re unsure how to read cutoff dates, determine whether your priority date is current, or understand the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing, read our detailed guide:
Related: How to Read the U.S. Visa Bulletin (2026 Guide)
Once you understand how to read the bulletin, return to the August 2026 tables above and check whether your case can move forward.
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FAQs About Visa Bulletin
What is the August 2026 Visa Bulletin?
The August 2026 Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication from the U.S. Department of State that lists cutoff dates for family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visa categories.
Which Visa Bulletin chart should family-based applicants use in August 2026?
Family-sponsored applicants should use the Dates for Filing chart unless USCIS announces otherwise.
Which Visa Bulletin chart should employment-based applicants use in August 2026?
Employment-based applicants should use the Final Action Dates chart to determine whether their green card application may be approved.
What does “Current” mean on the Visa Bulletin?
Current means visas are available immediately for eligible applicants in that category, regardless of priority date.
How do I know if my priority date is current?
Compare your priority date with the applicable cutoff date in the USCIS-designated chart for August 2026. If your priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff date, or the category is marked Current (C), you may be eligible to proceed with the next step in your green card process.
