US Visa Applicants Face Delayed Timelines

Hyderabad: The US Department of State indicated that employment-based visas for Indian applicants could face retrogression — delayed timelines — in the coming months, as demand continued to rise sharply.

In its latest Visa Bulletin for May 2026, the department warned that high usage in the EB-5 (investor visa) unreserved categories may force authorities to push back final action dates or even make the category temporarily unavailable. Officials said the move is being considered to keep visa issuance within the annual numerical limits set for the financial year 2026. The situation will be monitored closely, and changes will be made if required.

“Sufficient demand and increased number use by India in the EB-5 unreserved visa categories may make it necessary to retrogress the final action date or make the category unavailable to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the FY 2026 annual limit”, authorities said.

Several categories of family-sponsored visas have seen forward movement in both final action dates and filing dates.

In the family-sponsored category, the F1 (unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens) final action date has advanced from May 1, 2017, to September 1, 2017. The F2A category (spouses and children of permanent residents) has moved significantly from February 1, 2024, to August 1, 2024. The F3 category (married sons and daughters of US citizens) has progressed from December 22, 2011, to February 15, 2012. However, the F2B and F4 categories remain unchanged.

Filing dates have also improved in several categories. The F1 category has moved from March 1, 2018, to October 1, 2018, while F2B has advanced from August 8, 2017, to January 1, 2018. The F3 category has seen a small shift forward, while F4 remains the same. The F2A filing category is currently marked as “current”.

Data for infographics

Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Visas

Visa - April ‘26 dates - May ‘26 dates

F1 - May 1, 2017 - Sept. 1, 2017

F2A - Feb. 1 , 2024 - Aug. 1, 2024

F2B May 22, 2017 - No change

F3 - Dec. 22, 2011 - Feb. 15, 2012

F4 Nov. 1, 2006 - No change

Filing Dates for Family-Sponsored Visas

Visa - April ‘26 dates - May ‘26 dates

F1 - March 1, 2018 -Oct. 1, 2018

F2A -Current - No change

F2B -Aug. 8, 2017 - Jan 1, 2018

F3 - Nov. 22, 2012 - - Dec. 8, 2012

F4 -Dec. 15, 2006 - No change