EB-5 Visa Bulletin
The April 2026 Visa Bulletin shows EB-5 reserved categories (rural, HUA) remain current for all countries, while unreserved final action dates for China are at September 1, 2016 and India at May 1, 2022.
Monthly cutoff dates published by the U.S. Department of State for each EB-5 category and chargeability area.
April 2026 Analysis
The April 2026 EB-5 visa bulletin from the U.S. Department of State shows China advancing modestly while India holds steady. After three consecutive months without movement, the China unreserved final action date advanced 17 days to September 1, 2016.
China (mainland born) advances to a final action date of September 1, 2016, breaking a three month plateau that began in February 2026. The 17 day advance is small relative to the 220 day and 31 day jumps in December 2025 and January 2026, respectively. China still carries an approximate 9.5 year backlog from the current date. Chinese investors filing under reserved categories (rural, high unemployment area, and infrastructure) continue to see Current status across all three set aside designations. For Chinese investors seeking to avoid the unreserved backlog, the rural set aside category offers immediate visa availability with no per country wait.
India holds at a final action date of May 1, 2022 for the fourth consecutive month. The four year backlog remains stable following the significant 304 day advancement in January 2026. Reserved categories remain Current for Indian investors. Like China, the rural set aside category provides an immediate pathway without retrogression.
Vietnam and all other countries remain Current across all categories. No backlog exists for these chargeability areas, and visa numbers are immediately available upon petition approval.
What to watch: The modest 17 day China advancement after three months of stasis suggests the Department of State is beginning to release additional visa numbers as FY2026 enters its second half. The July 2026 bulletin will be particularly important, as the Department historically makes larger adjustments in the fourth fiscal quarter to manage annual visa allocation. Investors considering the EB-5 program should note the September 30, 2026 grandfathering deadline, after which minimum investment amounts are expected to increase. For investors from retrogressed countries, filing under the rural set aside category before this deadline provides both immediate visa availability and grandfathered investment amounts.
April 2026 Final Action Dates at a Glance
| Chargeability | Unreserved | Reserved | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| China (mainland) | Sep 1, 2016 | Current | -31 days |
| India | May 1, 2022 | Current | -304 days |
| Vietnam | N/A | Current | No change |
| All other countries | Current | Current | No change |
Movement reflects month-over-month change in unreserved final action dates. "Current" means no backlog; visa numbers are immediately available.
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Explore Pro →Understanding EB-5 Cutoff Dates
What does 'Current' (C) mean in the visa bulletin?▼
A 'Current' designation means no backlog exists for that category and chargeability area. A visa number is immediately available for all applicants regardless of their priority date.
What is a priority date?▼
Your priority date is the date USCIS received your I-526 or I-526E petition. It determines your place in line for a visa number. When the monthly cutoff date advances past your priority date, you become eligible to proceed with immigrant visa processing.
Why do China and India have cutoff dates when other countries are Current?▼
EB-5 visas are subject to per-country limits. No single country may receive more than 7% of available visas in a given year. China and India historically have more EB-5 applicants than this limit allows, creating a backlog. Most other countries file far fewer applications and remain Current.
What happens if the cutoff date retrogresses (moves backward)?▼
Retrogression occurs when USCIS receives more applications than expected, causing the cutoff date to move to an earlier date. This can temporarily prevent applicants whose priority dates were previously current from proceeding. Retrogression is unpredictable and underscores the importance of monitoring the bulletin monthly.
About the Visa Bulletin Process
What is the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing?▼
Final Action Dates are when USCIS will approve an immigrant visa application. Dates for Filing (when announced by USCIS) allow applicants to submit adjustment of status applications earlier, even before a visa is immediately available. USCIS announces monthly whether the Filing Date chart may be used.
How often is the visa bulletin updated?▼
The State Department publishes a new bulletin each month, typically in the third week of the preceding month. For example, the March 2026 bulletin is published in February 2026. EB5 Status updates cutoff data immediately after each bulletin is released.
What is the EB-5 set-aside program?▼
The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 reserved 20% of annual EB-5 visas for rural projects, 10% for high unemployment area (HUA) projects, and 2% for infrastructure projects. Set-aside visas have separate cutoff dates and historically remain Current even for countries with Unreserved backlogs.
About This Data
The EB-5 visa bulletin is published monthly by the U.S. Department of State and governs when EB-5 investors may proceed with immigrant visa applications. Cutoff dates represent the earliest priority date eligible for a visa number in a given month.
EB5 Status tracks all published bulletins since the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, which introduced set-aside categories (Rural, HUA, Infrastructure) with separate cutoff dates. Data is parsed directly from the official DOS bulletin within hours of publication.
Historical data and trend analysis help investors and attorneys forecast potential wait times and plan filing strategies. This data is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.
Related Resources
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Data compiled and reviewed by EB5 Status Editorial Team · Sources: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin, USCIS