August 2026 Visa Bulletin: What Families Need to Know
What is the Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin is a monthly report published by U.S. Department of State. This report indicates when a green cards applicant may move forward with their permanent residency process. This works by looking at the priority date which indicates the date your petition was filed. This date can be found on your I-797 Receipt Notice.
Dates for Filing v. Final Action Date – What does this mean?
The Date for Filing chart shows when an applicant can submit their application I-485 for adjustment of status. The Final Action Date shows when your green card can be approved. This is important to check on monthly as the Visa Bulletin changes every month. Additionally, the dates may change retroactively. This is known as retrogression. This can cause an issue because applicants who qualified once, may no longer qualify temporarily.
How does Retrogression affect my case?
How this affects an individual depends on whether or not an I-485 has been filed. If the I-485 has been filed, you application remains pending even if retrogression occurs. If you have not filed the I-485, then you must wait till your priority date is current on the Visa Bulletin again. One important note is that retrogression affects timing and availability of the visa, not the merits of the case.
What Bashi Law can do for you?
Here, at Bashi Law, PLLC, we understand that the Visa Bulletin brings uncertainty and the details can be overwhelming. If you are navigating this process and need additional guidance, working with experienced counsel can help bring ease to this process.
