Green Card updates for August: EB-1 may become unavailable for Indians

The U.S. Department of State has issued updates regarding Green Card availability for August, cautioning applicants about potential date retrogressions and unavailability of certain categories. These adjustments are attributed to year-end processes as the fiscal year approaches its conclusion on September 30.

High demand in the EB-1 visa category for individuals chargeable to India could lead to its unavailability in the coming weeks if India's pro-rated limit is reached. Currently, the EB-1 category remains current for all countries except China and India, with India's date at October 15, 2022. Similarly, the EB-2 category for India remains unavailable due to the exhaustion of FY2026 visa numbers. The department noted that "sufficient demand and increased number use in the EB-2 visa category may make it necessary to retrogress the final action date or make the category unavailable in the coming months."

Other employment-based categories show mixed movements. The EB-3 category advanced by one month for most chargeability areas, including Mexico, while China saw an advancement. The EB-4 and Certain Religious Worker categories moved forward by one month to October 15, 2022. The EB-5 Unreserved category remains current for most countries, though it continues to be unavailable for India and has a date of December 1, 2016, for China. The EB-5 set-aside categories remain current for all countries.

In family-sponsored Green Card updates, the F2A category's final action date advanced to July 22, 2026, for most countries, with Mexico slightly behind. The F2B category also saw advancements for most countries, moving to January 1, 2018, though Mexico and the Philippines have different dates. These changes reflect the ongoing management of visa quotas and demand within the U.S. immigration system.