Indian professionals seeking U.S. permanent residency face longer wait times after the June 2026 Visa Bulletin introduced significant retrogressions in major employment-based green card categories.
The latest bulletin shows that priority dates for both the EB-1 and EB-2 categories have moved backward for Indian applicants, reflecting growing demand and a mounting backlog in the U.S. immigration system.
The EB-1 category, which is typically reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers, and multinational executives, saw its priority date retrogress by two months. Meanwhile, the EB-2 category, which covers professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability, also experienced a setback, further extending waiting periods for applicants from India.
Immigration experts say the changes highlight the continuing imbalance between the number of available employment-based green cards and the high volume of applications from India, which remains one of the largest sources of skilled workers entering the United States.
The retrogression means many applicants who were expecting to move forward in the green card process may now face additional delays before they can receive permanent resident status.
While other employment-based categories saw limited movement, Indian nationals continue to be disproportionately affected due to per-country visa caps and sustained demand for U.S. immigration pathways.
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin serves as another reminder of the challenges facing highly skilled Indian workers, many of whom have already spent years navigating lengthy green card queues. Immigration advocates continue to call for reforms to address the growing backlog and reduce wait times for employment-based applicants.
