Green Card Update: May 2026 Visa Bulletin Brings Hope for Family Applicants

The US Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for May 2026, showing modest progress in some family-sponsored categories while most employment-based categories remain unchanged.

The bulletin outlines when applicants may move forward with the final stages of the green card process. For those already in the United States, procedures remain the same as in the previous month. 

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirms that family-sponsored applicants should use the “Dates for Filing” chart, while employment-based applicants must rely on the “Final Action Dates” chart to determine eligibility for adjustment of status applications.

Family-sponsored categories record the most visible movement. The F-1 category, covering unmarried adult children of US citizens, advances by about seven months, marking a notable shift. The F-2B category, for unmarried adult children of permanent residents, also moves forward at a steadier pace. The F-4 category, which applies to siblings of US citizens, shows moderate gains, indicating gradual progress in a heavily backlogged group.

The F-2A category, covering spouses and minor children of green card holders, remains current for all countries. This continues to provide a comparatively faster route for eligible applicants within an otherwise delayed system.

Employment-based categories show limited change. EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 remain static, reflecting continued demand and annual visa limits. The EB-3 “Other Workers” category records only a slight advance. The EB-5 investor category for Chinese nationals also moves forward marginally, indicating slow progress without a significant reduction in backlogs.

Immigration specialists note that monthly changes do not indicate exact waiting periods. Processing times depend on both category and country of origin, with applicants from high-demand countries often facing longer delays and occasional retrogression, where priority dates move backwards.

The priority date, set when the initial immigrant petition is filed, determines an applicant’s place in the queue. Monitoring this date against Visa Bulletin updates over time provides the clearest indication of progress, although movement can vary.