The filing dates for most employment-based green card categories remain current in the May 2026 visa bulletin, allowing eligible applicants in the United States to file for adjustment of status regardless of priority date.
In particular, the first, second and third preference categories for skilled workers remain fully current for applicants already in the United States. The final action dates for the first and second preference categories also remain current.
For the third preference skilled worker category, the final action date remains at June 1, 2024. For other workers in the third preference category, the filing date remains at Aug. 1, 2022, while the interview appointment date advances from Nov. 1, 2021, to Feb. 1, 2022.
Not all categories improved. The filing date for the fourth preference category and religious workers remains at Jan. 1, 2023, and the interview date in those categories also remains at July 15, 2022.
For the fifth preference category, which includes investors in rural and high-unemployment areas, the category remains current in May.
For applicants born in China mainland, India, Mexico and the Philippines, the priority dates are different from those listed for all other countries, according to the May 2026 visa bulletin.
Since Jan. 21, the State Department has suspended immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Nepal, so even applicants who have completed all required steps have not been issued visas.
As a result, even applicants who have finished the full process have not been able to travel to the United States with a visa. Those who received visas before Jan. 21 are not barred from entering the United States.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
