The United States government set new limits and backlogs on EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 work visas, citing a significant increase in demand and the need to adhere to legal permanent residency quotas.
China: The EB-2 category remains under close watch due to the high volume of applications.
The Philippines: The EB-3 category (skilled workers) faces the possibility of future adjustments if demand is not curtailed.
In a decisive measure to safeguard institutional order, the administration of the United States announced drastic adjustments to the employment-based Green Card application process, which will take effect starting June. Through the Department of State (DOS) and with the support of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the government has issued the new Visa Bulletin, confirming significant setbacks primarily affecting citizens of India, China, and the Philippines.
According to authorities, the non-negotiable goal is to “maintain compliance with legal limits on the issuance of permanent residencies” in light of an unsustainable increase in foreign applications in recent years.
Diving into the technical details of this necessary oversight, the June 2026 Visa Bulletin establishes a marked setback in final action dates for the nation of India, severely limiting the advancement of its professionals in the most sought-after categories:
For the EB-1 India category (priority workers), the cutoff date has been set at December 15, 2022.
For the EB-2 India category (professionals with advanced degrees), the limit is even more restrictive, standing at September 1, 2013.
This administration has been clear in stating that “the high demand for visa numbers in these categories requires periodic adjustments to comply with legal limits”. Thus, it ensures that no applicant, no matter how qualified, jumps the line above the annual quotas allowed by current regulations.
The government's oversight does not stop there, as other nations and categories are under strict monitoring that could lead to even greater restrictions:
Investors (EB-5): For citizens of India, the Department of State warned that it could declare the category as “unavailable” if the pace of applications does not moderate, stating that “the possibility of declaring certain categories as unavailable will depend on the volume of pending applications”.
For the period of June 2026, the USCIS has determined that applicants within U.S. territory must adhere exclusively to the “Final Action Dates” table to process their status adjustment. This technical measure is essential to “ensure the efficient and legal use of available visa numbers” and prevent the premature exhaustion of quotas belonging to the American people.
Finally, authorities have urged employers and sponsors to plan rigorously, warning that only those with a valid priority date will be able to advance. With these actions, the government of Donald Trump reaffirms that transparency and respect for the law are the pillars of its immigration policy, ensuring that the employment-based Green Card system operates for the benefit of the country and not under the pressure of external interests.
