Archive · 19 Dec 2025
US Visa Bulletin January 2026: Key Deadlines and Delays
The US government released a list of dates for people who want to get green cards in January 2026.
For people from India, the dates for different types of work-based green cards have moved forward, which means they can apply sooner.
For example, the date for the first type of work-based green card (EB1) moved from March 2022 to February 2023.
The government also set limits on how many green cards can be given each year to different countries.
However, many Indian professionals are facing delays in their H-1B visa interviews, with some appointments being pushed back to October 2026.
This is causing a lot of frustration and uncertainty for those affected.
The US Department of State released the January 2026 visa bulletin, outlining updated priority dates for family-based and employment-based immigrant visas.
India's EB1 cutoff date advanced to February 1, 2023, from March 15, 2022, and EB2 cutoff moved to July 15, 2013, from May 15, 2013.
The fiscal year 2026 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants is 226,000, with a worldwide employment limit of 140,000.
The per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual limits, i.e., 25,620.
H-1B visa interviews for Indian professionals are being postponed to October 2026 due to expanded social media screening processes.
- Who
- Indian green card applicants, US Department of State, and H-1B visa applicants
- What
- Release of the US visa bulletin for January 2026 with updated cutoff dates and H-1B interview delays
- When
- Cutoff dates apply to demands received by December 2nd, H-1B interviews postponed to October 2026
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To manage the processing of immigrant visa applications and address increased social media screening processes
- EB1 India Cutoff
- 01FEB23
- EB2 India Cutoff
- 15JUL13
- EB3 India Cutoff
- 15NOV13
- EB4 Cutoff
- 01JAN21
- EB5 India Cutoff
- 01MAY22
- Fiscal Year 2026 Family Limit
- 226,000
- Worldwide Employment Limit
- 140,000
- Per-Country Limit
- 25,620
- H-1B Interview Delay
- October 2026
Sources
Indian green card applicants get a surprise in US visa bulletin for January
US January 2026 Visa Bulletin: Gains for EB Indian applicants but family green card queues stay frozen
H 1B delays worsen: Interview dates now further postponed to October 2026
January 2026 US Visa Bulletin: State Department releases key deadlines for applicants — check details
H-1B and H-4 visa dates rescheduled to December 2026; immigration attorney says exact timelines remain uncertain
