# Visa Bulletin for May 2026

Check the May Visa Bulletin now to see if your priority date is current and you can start your green card application process.

## Summary of Key Changes

Family-based categories continued to move forward, led by another strong jump in F-1 (about 7 months). F-2B also advanced, while F-4 saw moderate gains. F-2A remained current across all countries. Other categories, including F-3, moved only slightly.

Employment-based categories were still mostly flat. EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 saw no movement, but EB-3 Other Workers advanced modestly, and EB-5 China inched forward.

## Visa Bulletin FAQs at a Glance

**What is my priority date?** This is usually the date your green card application petition was initially filed. Check your paperwork or consult with an immigration attorney if you’re unsure.

**What if my country has a backlog?** Some countries have longer wait times than others due to high demand. This means cut-off dates may move slower and sometimes even go backward (this is called retrogression).

**How long will I have to wait?** Unfortunately, the Visa Bulletin can’t give you an exact answer. The wait time depends on your category and country backlog. It’s helpful to track patterns in your category over multiple months to get a better sense.

The Visa Bulletin can be confusing. We’ve put together a guide to help you understand it and find your priority date: [How to Read the Visa Bulletin](https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/how-to-read-the-visa-bulletin/).

### Family-Based Green Card Backlogs

#### F-1: Unmarried Children (Age 21 and Older) of U.S. Citizens

Country | New Cut-Off Date | Old Cut-Off Date | Movement  
--- | --- | --- | ---  
All Other Areas | 1-Oct-18 | 1-Mar-18 | 7 Months  
China | 1-Oct-18 | 1-Mar-18 | 7 Months  
India | 1-Oct-18 | 1-Mar-18 | 7 Months  
Mexico | 1-Oct-08 | 15-Apr-08 | 5.5 Months  
Philippines | 22-Apr-15 | 22-Apr-15 | No Change

#### F-2A: Spouses and Unmarried Children (Under Age 21) of U.S. Green Card Holders

Country | New Cut-Off Date | Old Cut-Off Date | Movement  
--- | --- | --- | ---  
All Other Areas | Current | Current | No Change  
China | Current | Current | No Change  
India | Current | Current | No Change  
Mexico | Current | Current | No Change  
Philippines | Current | Current | No Change

#### F-2B: Unmarried Children (Age 21 or Older) of U.S. Green Card Holders

Country | New Cut-Off Date | Old Cut-Off Date | Movement  
--- | --- | --- | ---  
All Other Areas | 1-Jan-18 | 8-Aug-17 | 5 Months  
China | 1-Jan-18 | 8-Aug-17 | 5 Months  
India | 1-Jan-18 | 8-Aug-17 | 5 Months  
Mexico | 15-May-10 | 15-May-10 | No Change  
Philippines | 1-Oct-13 | 1-Oct-13 | No Change

#### F-3: Married Children of U.S. Citizens

Country | New Cut-Off Date | Old Cut-Off Date | Movement  
--- | --- | --- | ---  
All Other Areas | 8-Dec-12 | 22-Nov-12 | 16 Days  
China | 8-Dec-12 | 22-Nov-12 | 16 Days  
India | 8-Dec-12 | 22-Nov-12 | 16 Days  
Mexico | 15-Jul-01 | 1-Jul-01 | 14 Days  
Philippines | 8-Aug-06 | 15-Jul-06 | 24 Days

#### F-4: Siblings of U.S. Citizens

Country | New Cut-Off Date | Old Cut-Off Date | Movement  
--- | --- | --- | ---  
All Other Areas | 1-Sep-09 | 15-May-09 | 3.5 Months  
China | 1-Sep-09 | 15-May-09 | 3.5 Months  
India | 15-Dec-06 | 15-Dec-06 | No Change  
Mexico | 30-Apr-01 | 30-Apr-01 | No Change  
Philippines | 22-Mar-08 | 22-Mar-08 | No Change

## Employment-Based Green Card Backlogs

#### EB-1: Extraordinary People, Outstanding Researchers and Professors, and Multinational Executives and Managers

Country | New Cut-Off Date | Old Cut-Off Date | Movement  
--- | --- | --- | ---  
All Other Areas | Current | Current | No Change  
China | 1-Apr-23 | 1-Apr-23 | No Change  
India | 1-Apr-23 | 1-Apr-23 | No Change  
Mexico | Current | Current | No Change  
Philippines | Current | Current | No Change

#### EB-2: Exceptional People and Advanced Degree Holders

Country | New Cut-Off Date | Old Cut-Off Date | Movement  
--- | --- | --- | ---  
All Other Areas | Current | Current | No Change  
China | 1-Sep-21 | 1-Sep-21 | No Change  
India | 15-Jul-14 | 15-Jul-14 | No Change  
Mexico | Current | Current | No Change  
Philippines | Current | Current | No Change

#### EB-3: Skilled Worker or Professional

Country | New Cut-Off Date | Old Cut-Off Date | Movement  
--- | --- | --- | ---  
All Other Areas | 1-Jun-24 | 1-Jun-24 | No Change  
China | 15-Jun-21 | 15-Jun-21 | No Change  
India | 15-Nov-13 | 15-Nov-13 | No Change  
Mexico | 1-Jun-24 | 1-Jun-24 | No Change  
Philippines | 1-Aug-23 | 1-Aug-23 | No Change

#### EB-3: Other Worker

Country | New Cut-Off Date | Old Cut-Off Date | Movement  
--- | --- | --- | ---  
All Other Areas | 1-Feb-22 | 1-Nov-21 | 3 Months  
China | 1-Feb-19 | 1-Feb-19 | No Change  
India | 15-Nov-13 | 15-Nov-13 | No Change  
Mexico | 1-Feb-22 | 1-Nov-21 | 3 Months  
Philippines | 1-Nov-21 | 1-Nov-21 | No Change

#### EB-4: "Special Immigrants" Category

Country | New Cut-Off Date | Old Cut-Off Date | Movement  
--- | --- | --- | ---  
All Other Areas | 15-Jul-22 | 15-Jul-22 | No Change  
China | 15-Jul-22 | 15-Jul-22 | No Change  
India | 15-Jul-22 | 15-Jul-22 | No Change  
Mexico | 15-Jul-22 | 15-Jul-22 | No Change  
Philippines | 15-Jul-22 | 15-Jul-22 | No Change

#### EB-5: "Investors" Category

Country | New Cut-Off Date | Old Cut-Off Date | Movement  
--- | --- | --- | ---  
All Other Areas | Current | Current | No Change  
China | 22-Sep-16 | 1-Sep-16 | 21 Days  
India | 1-May-22 | 1-May-22 | No Change  
Mexico | Current | Current | No Change  
Philippines | Current | Current | No Change