What to Expect in May 2026
Following the historic April 2026 Visa Bulletin that saw EB-2 go current for most countries, immigration practitioners are watching closely for the May bulletin. Based on current visa usage patterns and State Department trends, here are the key predictions.
Employment-Based Categories
EB-1 (All Countries): Expected to remain current. Demand has not exceeded supply for non-China/India chargeability areas. EB-2 (India): Modest forward movement of 2-4 weeks expected. The April advancement of nearly 10 months was historic and may slow as demand materializes. EB-2 (China): Steady advancement of 1-3 months likely. EB-3 (India): May see slight advancement as USCIS processes accumulated I-485s. EB-5 Set Aside: Expected to remain current for rural and high-unemployment TEA categories.
Use our Green Card Calculator to check your priority date against the current bulletin. The tool will be updated as soon as the May bulletin is released.
Family-Based Categories
F2A (spouses and children of permanent residents) is expected to remain current for all countries. F1, F2B, F3, and F4 categories may see minor advancement of 2-6 weeks. The 75-country visa processing pause continues to affect consular processing timelines for family-based cases.
Retrogression Risk
The retrogression risk flagged earlier in FY 2026 remains a concern as visa demand increases following the April bulletin advancement. If too many I-485s are filed after EB-2 went current, the State Department may need to pull dates back later in the fiscal year. Applicants with current dates should file I-485 as soon as possible rather than waiting.