The latest Visa Bulletin from the State Department does not offer any good news for Indians waiting for their Green Cards as there is little to no movement. The average waiting time for Green Cards in the US is over 10 to 15 years due to the per-country cap of 7% of the annual limit.
Here is the latest waiting time for Indians
Final Action Dates (when a visa can actually be issued/approved; determines final green card approval)
EB-1 (Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professors/Researchers, Multinational Executives): February 1, 2023 – Significant backlog; priority date must be before this
EB-2 (Advanced Degrees/Exceptional Ability): July 15, 2013-12+ years backlog
EB-3 (Skilled Workers/Professionals): November 15, 2013 long wait as EB-2.
EB-3 Other Workers (Unskilled): November 15, 2013 – Same as EB-3.
EB-5 (Unreserved/Investors): Backlogged (May 1, 2022)
Dates for Filing (when you can submit 1-485 adjustment of status application
EB-1: August 1, 2023 – Allows filing if priority date is before this
EB-2: December 1, 2013 12+ years.
EB-3: August 15, 2014
EB-3 Other Workers: August 15, 2014
EB-5 (Unreserved/Investors): Backlogged (May 1, 2022)
Dates for Filing (when you can submit 1-485 adjustment of status application
EB-1: August 1, 2023 – Allows filing if priority date is before this
EB-2: December 1, 2013 – 12+ years.
EB-3: August 15, 2014
EB-3 Other Workers: August 15, 2014
EB-5 Set-Asides: Current (no wait for filing)
Major takeaways for Indians
EB-2: December 1, 2013 – 12+ years.
EB-3: August 15, 2014
EB-3 Other Workers: August 15, 2014
EB-5 Set-Asides: Current (no wait for filing)
Major takeaways for Indians
No forward movement for India in EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 compared to January 2026 dates are stagnant (no advancement, no retrogression).
EB-3 saw advances for “All Other Countries” (not India/China), but Indians get no relief this month.
The lack of movement may seem disappointing, but it doesn’t necessarily mean bad news, immigration lawyer Nicole Gunara said. “After several months of progress, a pause in February is not surprising and can be part of normal pacing for the year. Visa Bulletin movement isn’t linear, and quiet months often follow periods of advancement as the government measures actual demand against available visa numbers,” Nicole commented.
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