US Green Card Race: Why Indian EB-2 Applicants Are Falling Further Behind

Indian professionals hoping to secure a US green card continue to face a long wait, with the latest US Visa Bulletin showing a major gap between Indian applicants and those from most other countries.

The October 2026 Visa Bulletin places the EB-2 Final Action Date for India at November 1, 2013. For applicants from most other countries, the corresponding date is January 1, 2025.

This means the cutoff for India is more than 11 years behind the cutoff for most other countries.

The new fiscal year has restored visa availability for Indian EB-2 applicants after the category became unavailable toward the end of fiscal year 2026. However, the return of visa numbers does not mean that applicants with recent priority dates can receive green cards immediately.

The backlog remains a major concern for Indian workers, particularly professionals who depend on employer-sponsored immigration to live and work permanently in the United States.

So, why are Indian EB-2 applicants falling further behind, what do the latest dates mean, and is there any relief for people waiting in the queue?

What Is the Latest EB-2 India Green Card Update?

The US Department of State's October 2026 Visa Bulletin has reopened the EB-2 category for Indian applicants, with a Final Action Date of November 1, 2013.

The category had become unavailable for the rest of fiscal year 2026 after the available visa numbers for India were used.

The new fiscal year began on October 1, 2026, allowing visa numbers to become available again under the applicable limits.

However, the cutoff remains far behind the dates for most other countries.

October 2026 EB-2 Dates: India vs Other Countries

These dates are from the October 2026 Visa Bulletin. Applicants must check the correct chart and applicable USCIS instructions before taking action.

The table shows the scale of the difference. While applicants from most other countries are dealing with much newer cutoff dates, the Indian EB-2 Final Action Date remains in 2013.

This does not mean that every Indian applicant will wait for the same number of years. The actual process depends on the applicant's priority date, eligibility, visa availability and individual circumstances.

Why Are Indian EB-2 Applicants Falling Behind?

There is no single reason for the backlog. It is mainly the result of high demand, limited annual visa numbers and country-specific limits.

High Demand From Indian Professionals

The EB-2 category is designed for certain professionals with advanced degrees and people who qualify based on exceptional ability.

Many Indian workers in the United States work in fields such as technology, engineering, science, healthcare and other specialised occupations.

Some of these professionals seek permanent residence through employer-sponsored petitions. Others may qualify through the National Interest Waiver route if they meet the relevant requirements.

Over time, the number of people seeking green cards in these categories has exceeded the number of visas available for applicants chargeable to India.

This has created a long queue, with applicants waiting for their priority dates to become eligible under the Visa Bulletin.

The Country-Specific Visa Limit

US immigration law places a general per-country limit on employment-based and family-sponsored preference immigrants.

For fiscal year 2027, the State Department identifies the general limit as 7% of the combined annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, amounting to 25,620 under the relevant limits.

This figure is not a separate allocation of 25,620 employment-based green cards for India. The rules apply across the relevant family-sponsored and employment-based preference system.

Because demand from India is high, the interaction between these limits and the available visa numbers contributes to the long backlog.

More Applicants Than Available Visa Numbers

Green cards in employment-based preference categories are subject to annual numerical limits.

When the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available supply, the government uses cutoff dates to control when cases can move forward.

Applicants generally cannot receive a visa number simply because their employment petition has been approved. Their priority dates must also become eligible under the applicable rules.

This is why some Indian professionals can have approved immigration petitions and still wait years for the next stage.

What Does November 1, 2013 Mean for EB-2 India?

The Final Action Date is one of the most important dates in the Visa Bulletin.

For October 2026, the EB-2 Final Action Date for India is November 1, 2013.

In general, applicants with priority dates earlier than November 1, 2013 may be eligible for final action, provided they meet the other requirements and a visa number is available.

For example, consider two applicants:

• Applicant A: Has a priority date of June 2012.
• Applicant B: Has a priority date of April 2018.

Applicant A's priority date is earlier than the current Final Action Date, so the date requirement may be met. Applicant B's priority date is later, so the applicant would not qualify for final action under this cutoff.

This is only an illustration. Meeting the date requirement does not automatically guarantee green card approval.

Applicants should also understand that the date used to determine eligibility may differ depending on whether they are applying through consular processing or adjusting status inside the United States.

What Is the Difference Between Final Action Date and Dates for Filing?

Many green card applicants find these two terms confusing, but they serve different purposes.

Final Action Date

The Final Action Date indicates when an immigrant visa number may be available for final approval or issuance, subject to eligibility and other requirements.

For Indian EB-2 applicants, this date is November 1, 2013 in October 2026.

Dates for Filing

The Dates for Filing chart can allow eligible applicants to begin the next stage of paperwork earlier than the Final Action Date would permit final approval.

For October 2026, the EB-2 Dates for Filing cutoff for India is January 15, 2015.

USCIS has designated the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based adjustment-of-status applications in October 2026. This means eligible applicants inside the United States may be able to file Form I-485 if their priority dates meet the applicable cutoff and they satisfy the other requirements.

However, being eligible to file does not mean that the green card can be approved immediately.

Applicants should always confirm which chart applies in the month they plan to file.

Does the New Fiscal Year Bring Any Relief?

Yes, but the relief is limited.

The start of fiscal year 2027 restored visa availability for Indian EB-2 applicants after the category became unavailable during fiscal year 2026.

This matters because the previous unavailability prevented further visa issuance in the category for the remainder of that fiscal year.

However, the October bulletin has not moved India's Final Action Date into a recent year. It remains at November 1, 2013.

Therefore, the new fiscal year has reopened the door for eligible cases, but it has not removed the underlying backlog.

Applicants with more recent priority dates will still need to monitor future Visa Bulletins.

Why Is the Gap Between India and Other Countries So Large?

The difference between India and most other countries is a central feature of the current EB-2 backlog.

In October 2026:

• India's Final Action Date is November 1, 2013.
• China's Final Action Date is October 1, 2021.
• The Final Action Date for most other countries is January 1, 2025.

These differences reflect the way US immigration law manages visa demand across different countries and categories.

The country used for visa chargeability is generally based on the applicant's country of birth, rather than simply their citizenship. Certain exceptions, including qualifying cross-chargeability through a spouse, may apply.

Therefore, an Indian citizen born in another country may not necessarily be subject to the India cutoff. Applicants should check their individual situation with a qualified immigration professional.

Will Indian EB-2 Applicants Have to Wait for Many More Years?

The backlog means many applicants may continue to wait, but it is not possible to give a reliable individual waiting time based only on the current cutoff date.

Visa Bulletin dates can move forward, remain unchanged or move backward. A category can also become unavailable if the available visa numbers are used.

Future movement depends on factors including:

• The number of applicants waiting in the queue
• The number of visa numbers available
• Demand from applicants with older priority dates
• Annual and per-country limits
• Changes in government estimates and visa allocation
• Future policy or legal changes

For these reasons, a prediction such as a fixed number of years for every Indian EB-2 applicant should be treated carefully.

The current cutoff date is a useful indicator of the backlog, but it cannot by itself tell an individual exactly when a green card will be approved.

What Should Indian EB-2 Applicants Do Now?

Applicants should focus on their own priority dates and immigration documents rather than relying only on broad predictions.

Step 1: Find Your Priority Date

Check your immigration records and the relevant petition documents to identify your priority date.

For many employment-based cases involving labour certification, the priority date is generally linked to the date the Department of Labor accepted the labour certification for processing. Other cases can have different rules.

Step 2: Check the Latest Visa Bulletin

Review the official monthly Visa Bulletin published by the US Department of State.

Look for the EB-2 row and the column that applies to your country of chargeability.

Step 3: Check the Correct Chart

Determine whether you need the Final Action Dates chart or the Dates for Filing chart.

For adjustment-of-status applications inside the United States, check the USCIS instructions for the relevant month.

Step 4: Keep Your Documents Updated

Maintain copies of your petition approval notices, priority-date records, employment documents and other relevant immigration paperwork.

If your employment or personal circumstances change, get advice about how that could affect your case.

Step 5: Get Professional Advice Before Changing Strategy

Some applicants may explore other employment-based categories or immigration routes if they qualify.

However, moving from one category to another is not automatic, and each route has its own requirements.

Before making a decision, speak with a qualified immigration attorney who can review your individual circumstances.

Could EB-1 or EB-3 Be a Better Option?

Some applicants may wonder whether they should pursue EB-1 or EB-3 instead of EB-2.

The answer depends on their qualifications and the legal requirements of each category.

EB-1 covers certain priority workers, including people who qualify under extraordinary ability, outstanding researcher or professor, and multinational manager or executive provisions.

EB-2 generally covers qualifying professionals with advanced degrees or people of exceptional ability. Some applicants may also qualify for a National Interest Waiver.

EB-3 covers certain skilled workers, professionals and other workers who meet the relevant criteria.

The October 2026 Visa Bulletin also shows long waits for Indian applicants in some of these categories. For example, India's EB-3 skilled-worker and professional Final Action Date is January 1, 2014.

Therefore, changing categories is not necessarily a quick solution. Applicants must qualify for the category they pursue and consider the relevant dates and requirements.

What Could Change the EB-2 India Backlog?

Several developments could affect the queue over time.

More Visa Availability

Changes to the number of available visas could affect how quickly cases move, although the impact would depend on the legal framework and demand.

Changes in Demand

If fewer applicants seek visas in a particular category, cutoff dates may move differently than expected. The effect cannot be predicted from one month's bulletin alone.

Policy or Legal Changes

Changes to immigration law or government policy could alter how visas are allocated. Any such change would need to be confirmed through official announcements.

Monthly Visa Bulletin Updates

The most immediate source of information is the monthly Visa Bulletin. Applicants should monitor it rather than relying on unofficial estimates of future movement.