EB-1 Visa Limit Gets Closer, Says US State Dept
The F2B visas, issued to unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents: Reports
HYDERABAD: Indian employment-based green card applicants could face delays after the US state department warned that the EB-1 category for India may become unavailable in the coming weeks if the number of applicants reaches its pro-rated visa limit before the end of the 2026 fiscal year.
The warning, which appeared in the September 2026 Visa Bulletin, stated that if the limit was reached, the category could be declared “Unavailable,” meaning no further visa numbers would be issued until availability changes or at the beginning of the new fiscal year.
However, the family-sponsored visa classes saw major advancements in the filing dates and final action dates. The F4 family visa, which is issued to the brothers and sisters of US citizens, has advanced by almost five years, from November 1 of 2006 to October 22 of 2011.
Additionally, the F1 visa, allotted to unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens, has advanced by almost two years, from December 15, 2018 to January 22, 2020.
The F2B visas, issued to unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents, advanced by one year and eight months from January 1, 2018 to August 22, 2019, and the F3 visa, issued to married sons and daughters of US citizens, advanced by more than two years from May 15, 2012 to October 22, 2014.
In the filing category, the F3 visa advanced by almost 3 years from March 1, 2012, to November 1, 2014. The F1 visa advanced by almost a year from June 15, 2019, to February 1, 2020, and the F2B visa advanced from January 1, 2019, to September 1, 2019. The F4 visa saw no change, still applying from December 15, 2006.
