How to Read the EB-2 Visa Bulletin: September 2026 Update for NIW Applicants
As of the September 2026 Visa Bulletin, EB-2 China remains at a Final Action Date of September 1, 2021 and a Dates for Filing date of January 1, 2022. USCIS still requires employment-based I-485 filings to use Final Action Dates. DOS warns that EB-2 may retrogress or become unavailable before September 30.
How to Read the EB-2 Visa Bulletin: September 2026 Update for NIW Applicants #
Key Takeaways
- In the September 2026 Visa Bulletin, EB-2 China Final Action Date remains September 1, 2021 and Dates for Filing remains January 1, 2022
- For in-U.S. employment-based adjustment filings, September still uses Final Action Dates, not Dates for Filing
- September is the last month of FY2026. DOS warns that EB-2 may retrogress or become unavailable before September 30
- EB-1 China is now July 1, 2023, still materially ahead of EB-2
- NIW applicants should treat the backlog period as active planning time for evidence updates, EB1A/O1 strategy, and status maintenance
The Department of State has released the September 2026 Visa Bulletin. For China-born NIW applicants, the EB-2 cutoff dates did not advance from August. The more important signal is the fiscal-year-end warning that EB-2 may retrogress or become unavailable before September 30. A month-by-month snapshot is in the September 2026 Visa Bulletin article.
For NIW strategy, the takeaway is simple: filing early to secure a priority date can still matter, but applicants should not assume that the Visa Bulletin will move forward in a straight line.
This article is based on the Department of State's September 2026 Visa Bulletin and the USCIS adjustment filing-chart page. Employment-based filers must use Final Action Dates in September. The bulletin also warns that EB-2 may retrogress or become unavailable before fiscal year-end.
The September 2026 numbers that matter most #
| Category | Final Action Date | Dates for Filing | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 China | July 1, 2023 | December 1, 2023 | EB1A remains faster than EB-2 |
| EB-2 China | September 1, 2021 | January 1, 2022 | NIW still faces a multi-year backlog |
| EB-3 China | January 1, 2022 | January 8, 2022 | Ahead of EB-2, but not the NIW chart |
For NIW applicants, the EB-2 row is the key. If your priority date is later than September 1, 2021, an approved I-140 generally does not yet put you into the final green card stage in June 2026.
What changed from May to June? #
| Dimension | May 2026 | June 2026 | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-2 China Final Action | September 1, 2021 | September 1, 2021 | No advancement |
| EB-2 China Dates for Filing | January 1, 2022 | January 1, 2022 | No advancement |
| EB-1 China Final Action | April 1, 2023 | April 1, 2023 | No advancement |
| EB-3 China Final Action | June 15, 2021 | August 1, 2021 | Modest advancement |
| Employment-based I-485 chart | Final Action Dates | Final Action Dates | No Table B filing window |
| DOS risk note | Backlog pressure | EB-2 China may retrogress or become unavailable | Plan conservatively |
Many applicants see that EB-2 China did not move and assume the strategy is unchanged. But DOS specifically warns that sufficient demand and increased number use may require EB-2 China retrogression or unavailability in coming months. That warning matters.
Why the USCIS chart choice still matters #
The Visa Bulletin contains two charts:
- Final Action Dates: when an immigrant visa number can be allocated and the case can move toward final action;
- Dates for Filing: an earlier document-submission threshold that can be used for I-485 only if USCIS authorizes it for that month.
Employment-based applicants could briefly use Dates for Filing in April 2026. USCIS switched back to Final Action Dates in May, and June continues that posture. So a China-born EB-2 applicant with a December 2021 priority date should not assume they can file I-485 in June simply because the Dates for Filing chart still shows January 1, 2022.
Check category and country of chargeability first, then read DOS Chart A and Chart B, and finally confirm which chart USCIS authorizes for adjustment filings in that month. The final step often controls whether you can actually file I-485.
What NIW applicants should do now #
1. If your case is ready, focus on locking the priority date #
If your materials are already close to filing quality, one of the main benefits of NIW remains securing a priority date. You cannot control monthly bulletin movement, but you can control when you enter the line.
2. If your I-140 is already approved, keep updating evidence #
I-140 approval is not the end of the process. During the backlog period, keep organizing peer review, citations, patents, media, product impact, independent recommenders, and employment records.
3. If your record keeps improving, evaluate EB1A #
EB-1 China Final Action Date remains April 1, 2023 in June 2026, materially ahead of EB-2 China. If your profile now includes stronger citations, peer review, awards, original contributions, or media evidence, the waiting period is a good time to evaluate EB1A.
4. If status pressure is real, include O1 or H-1B planning #
NIW creates an immigrant petition strategy, but it does not by itself maintain your nonimmigrant status while you wait. Applicants on OPT, STEM OPT, H-1B, J-1, or other statuses should plan status maintenance separately.
NIW, EB1A, and O1 in the backlog environment #
| Path | What it solves | What it does not solve | Who should evaluate it |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIW | EB-2 priority date without PERM or employer sponsorship | Does not bypass EB-2 backlog | Applicants with a strong national-interest narrative |
| EB1A | Access to the EB-1 queue, often faster than EB-2 | Higher evidentiary standard | Applicants with stronger recognition evidence |
| O1 | Short- to medium-term work-status strategy | Not a green card category and does not create a priority date | Applicants with a U.S. role and strong ability evidence |
For deeper context, pair this article with our NIW Complete Guide, EB1A Complete Guide, and Dual Filing Strategy Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions #
What is the EB-2 China Final Action Date in June 2026?
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin lists EB-2 China Final Action Date as September 1, 2021 and Dates for Filing as January 1, 2022. Neither date advanced from May.
Can employment-based applicants use Dates for Filing in June 2026?
For employment-based adjustment filings, June 2026 continues to use Final Action Dates. Applicants should not rely on Dates for Filing unless USCIS authorizes that chart for the month.
Could EB-2 China retrogress?
Yes. DOS states in the June 2026 bulletin that sufficient demand and increased number use by China-chargeable EB-2 applicants may require retrogression or unavailability in coming months.
Is NIW still worth filing despite the backlog?
Often yes. NIW can secure a priority date and create a long-term immigration foundation. The key is to understand that NIW approval does not eliminate the EB-2 backlog.
What should I build during the backlog period?
Prioritize independently verifiable recognition: independent recommenders, peer review records, citations, patents, product impact, media coverage, and awards. These can support NIW, EB1A, or O1 strategy.
Conclusion #
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin sends a mixed message for China-born NIW applicants: EB-2 China did not advance, but the risk warning became stronger. EB-2 China remains at September 1, 2021, employment-based adjustment filings still use Final Action Dates, and DOS warns that future retrogression or unavailability may be necessary.
The best response is not passive waiting. Build a coordinated plan across NIW, EB1A, O1, status maintenance, and evidence updates. GloryAbroad can help you map the practical timeline and decide whether NIW alone is enough or a dual-track plan makes more sense.