Archive · 4 Sep 2026
India EB-1 Visa Limit Nears, While Family Categories Advance
The United States sets limits on how many employment and family visas can be given.
The EB-1 visa category for applicants from India may run out of available numbers soon.
The State Department said this could happen before the end of fiscal year 2026.
If that happens, new EB-1 visa numbers would temporarily stop being issued.
The category could become available again when conditions change or a new fiscal year begins.
Some family visa categories moved forward a lot.
The F4 category advanced by almost five years in its final action date.
The F1, F2B and F3 categories also moved forward, while the F4 filing date did not change.
The United States Department of State warned that India’s EB-1 visa category could become unavailable in the coming weeks.
The EB-1 category may reach its pro-rated limit before the end of fiscal year 2026.
If the limit is reached, no additional EB-1 visa numbers will be issued until availability changes or the next fiscal year begins.
Family-sponsored F4, F1, F2B and F3 categories made significant advances in final action dates.
In filing dates, F3, F1 and F2B advanced, while F4 remained unchanged at December 15, 2006.
- Who
- Indian employment-based green card applicants and family-sponsored visa applicants; the United States Department of State issued the warning.
- What
- The India EB-1 category may reach its visa limit, while several family-sponsored visa categories advanced.
- When
- The warning appeared in the September 2026 Visa Bulletin; the limit could be reached before the end of fiscal year 2026.
- Where
- The United States immigration system; the report was filed from Hyderabad.
- Why
- The EB-1 category may reach its pro-rated visa limit, while family-category dates advanced based on visa availability.
- Potentially affected category
- EB-1 for India
- Possible status
- Unavailable if the pro-rated limit is reached
- Fiscal year referenced
- 2026
- F4 final action advancement
- From November 1, 2006, to October 22, 2011
- F1 final action advancement
- From December 15, 2018, to January 22, 2020
- F2B final action advancement
- From January 1, 2018, to August 22, 2019
- F3 final action advancement
- From May 15, 2012, to October 22, 2014
- F4 filing-date change
- No change; the date remained December 15, 2006