Visa Bulletin predictions for December 2026 and the next 12 months
A data-based outlook for every family and employment category: how often each line moved in the last 36 bulletins, how far it usually moves, and where the final action date would be in a year at its historical pace. Updated with every new bulletin.
Employment-based outlook
| Category | Final action (Nov 2026) | Next bulletin | Same / up / back (36 bulletins) | Projected Nov 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 (all countries) | Current | Likely to stay current | 100% / 0% / 0% | Current |
| EB-1 China | Aug 1, 2023 | Most likely unchanged | 61% / 39% / 0% | Dec 2023 (Dec 2023 – Oct 2024) |
| EB-1 India | Feb 1, 2023 | Most likely unchanged | 67% / 28% / 6% | May 2023 (May 2023 – Apr 2024) |
| EB-1 Mexico | Current | Likely to stay current | 100% / 0% / 0% | Current |
| EB-1 Philippines | Current | Likely to stay current | 100% / 0% / 0% | Current |
| EB-2 (all countries) | Apr 1, 2025 | Most likely unchanged | 53% / 42% / 6% | Nov 2025 (Nov 2025 – Aug 2026) |
| EB-2 China | Oct 1, 2021 | Most likely unchanged | 61% / 39% / 0% | Apr 2022 (Apr 2022 – Sep 2022) |
| EB-2 India | Nov 1, 2013 | Most likely unchanged | 53% / 42% / 6% | Mar 2014 (Mar 2014 – Jun 2014) |
| EB-2 Mexico | Apr 1, 2025 | Most likely unchanged | 53% / 42% / 6% | Nov 2025 (Nov 2025 – Aug 2026) |
| EB-2 Philippines | Apr 1, 2025 | Most likely unchanged | 53% / 42% / 6% | Nov 2025 (Nov 2025 – Aug 2026) |
| EB-3 (all countries) | Jun 15, 2024 | Likely to advance (typical step 5 weeks) | 44% / 47% / 8% | Jan 2025 (Jan 2025 – Aug 2025) |
| EB-3 China | Jan 22, 2022 | Most likely unchanged | 50% / 47% / 3% | Oct 2022 (Oct 2022 – Dec 2022) |
| EB-3 India | Jan 22, 2014 | Likely to advance (typical step 4 weeks) | 42% / 58% / 0% | Jun 2014 (Jun 2014 – Dec 2014) |
| EB-3 Mexico | Jun 15, 2024 | Likely to advance (typical step 5 weeks) | 44% / 47% / 8% | Jan 2025 (Jan 2025 – Aug 2025) |
| EB-3 Philippines | Aug 15, 2023 | Most likely unchanged | 56% / 39% / 6% | Dec 2023 (Dec 2023 – Nov 2024) |
| EB-3 Other Workers (all countries) | Jun 1, 2022 | Most likely unchanged | 47% / 47% / 6% | Feb 2023 (Jan 2023 – Apr 2023) |
| EB-3 Other Workers China | Oct 1, 2019 | Most likely unchanged | 72% / 28% / 0% | Aug 2021 (Feb 2021 – Aug 2021) |
| EB-3 Other Workers India | Jan 22, 2014 | Likely to advance (typical step 4 weeks) | 42% / 58% / 0% | Jun 2014 (Jun 2014 – Dec 2014) |
| EB-3 Other Workers Mexico | Jun 1, 2022 | Most likely unchanged | 47% / 47% / 6% | Feb 2023 (Jan 2023 – Apr 2023) |
| EB-3 Other Workers Philippines | Jan 1, 2022 | Most likely unchanged | 67% / 33% / 0% | Aug 2022 (Jun 2022 – Jan 2023) |
| EB-4 (all countries) | Dec 15, 2022 | Most likely unchanged | 61% / 33% / 6% | Jan 2023 (Jan 2023 – May 2025) |
| EB-4 China | Dec 15, 2022 | Most likely unchanged | 61% / 33% / 6% | Jan 2023 (Jan 2023 – May 2025) |
| EB-4 India | Dec 15, 2022 | Most likely unchanged | 61% / 33% / 6% | Jan 2023 (Jan 2023 – May 2025) |
| EB-4 Mexico | Dec 15, 2022 | Most likely unchanged | 61% / 33% / 6% | Jun 2023 (Jun 2023 – May 2025) |
| EB-4 Philippines | Dec 15, 2022 | Most likely unchanged | 61% / 33% / 6% | Jan 2023 (Jan 2023 – May 2025) |
| EB-5 Unreserved (all countries) | Current | Likely to stay current | 100% / 0% / 0% | Current |
| EB-5 Unreserved China | Dec 1, 2016 | Most likely unchanged | 72% / 25% / 3% | Feb 2017 (Feb 2017 – Nov 2017) |
| EB-5 Unreserved India | Dec 1, 2023 | Most likely unchanged | 72% / 19% / 8% | Nov 2024 (Oct 2024 – Sep 2026) |
| EB-5 Unreserved Mexico | Current | Likely to stay current | 100% / 0% / 0% | Current |
| EB-5 Unreserved Philippines | Current | Likely to stay current | 100% / 0% / 0% | Current |
Family-sponsored outlook
| Category | Final action (Nov 2026) | Next bulletin | Same / up / back (36 bulletins) | Projected Nov 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 (all countries) | Jan 22, 2021 | Most likely unchanged | 61% / 39% / 0% | Apr 2022 (Mar 2022 – Apr 2025) |
| F1 China | Jan 22, 2021 | Most likely unchanged | 61% / 39% / 0% | Apr 2022 (Mar 2022 – Apr 2025) |
| F1 India | Jan 22, 2021 | Most likely unchanged | 61% / 39% / 0% | Apr 2022 (Mar 2022 – Apr 2025) |
| F1 Mexico | Sep 22, 2008 | Most likely unchanged | 50% / 50% / 0% | Aug 2010 (Jan 2010 – Jul 2011) |
| F1 Philippines | Nov 1, 2013 | Most likely unchanged | 83% / 17% / 0% | Mar 2014 (Mar 2014 – Aug 2014) |
| F2A (all countries) | Oct 22, 2026 | Most likely unchanged | 56% / 44% / 0% | Current |
| F2A China | Oct 22, 2026 | Most likely unchanged | 56% / 44% / 0% | Current |
| F2A India | Oct 22, 2026 | Most likely unchanged | 56% / 44% / 0% | Current |
| F2A Mexico | Apr 22, 2026 | Most likely unchanged | 53% / 47% / 0% | Current |
| F2A Philippines | Oct 22, 2026 | Most likely unchanged | 56% / 44% / 0% | Current |
| F2B (all countries) | Aug 22, 2020 | Most likely unchanged | 56% / 44% / 0% | Aug 2021 (Aug 2021 – May 2024) |
| F2B China | Aug 22, 2020 | Most likely unchanged | 56% / 44% / 0% | Aug 2021 (Aug 2021 – May 2024) |
| F2B India | Aug 22, 2020 | Most likely unchanged | 56% / 44% / 0% | Aug 2021 (Aug 2021 – May 2024) |
| F2B Mexico | May 15, 2010 | Most likely unchanged | 61% / 39% / 0% | May 2012 (Oct 2011 – Oct 2012) |
| F2B Philippines | Oct 1, 2013 | Most likely unchanged | 69% / 31% / 0% | Feb 2014 (Feb 2014 – Oct 2014) |
| F3 (all countries) | Oct 22, 2015 | Most likely unchanged | 53% / 47% / 0% | Mar 2017 (Nov 2016 – Dec 2019) |
| F3 China | Oct 22, 2015 | Most likely unchanged | 53% / 47% / 0% | Mar 2017 (Nov 2016 – Dec 2019) |
| F3 India | Oct 22, 2015 | Most likely unchanged | 53% / 47% / 0% | Mar 2017 (Nov 2016 – Dec 2019) |
| F3 Mexico | Jul 15, 2001 | Most likely unchanged | 61% / 39% / 0% | May 2002 (Sep 2001 – May 2002) |
| F3 Philippines | Jul 22, 2006 | Most likely unchanged | 56% / 44% / 0% | May 2007 (May 2007 – May 2008) |
| F4 (all countries) | Oct 22, 2012 | Most likely unchanged | 64% / 36% / 0% | Dec 2013 (Sep 2013 – Aug 2017) |
| F4 China | Oct 22, 2012 | Most likely unchanged | 64% / 36% / 0% | Dec 2013 (Sep 2013 – Aug 2017) |
| F4 India | Dec 15, 2006 | Most likely unchanged | 69% / 31% / 0% | Mar 2007 (Jan 2007 – May 2007) |
| F4 Mexico | Apr 22, 2001 | Most likely unchanged | 75% / 25% / 0% | Sep 2001 (May 2001 – Sep 2001) |
| F4 Philippines | May 15, 2008 | Likely to advance (typical step 2.8 months) | 47% / 53% / 0% | Jul 2009 (Jul 2009 – Jul 2010) |
How each line moved in past December bulletins
Change of the final action date from the November to the December bulletin in earlier years.
| Category | Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 | Dec 2023 | Dec 2022 | Dec 2021 | Dec 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-2 India | +6 weeks | +2 weeks | no change | −5.8 months | +5 months | +9 days |
| EB-3 India | +4 weeks | +7 days | no change | +2.5 months | no change | +2 weeks |
| EB-1 India | +4 weeks | no change | no change | no change | no change | +4 months |
| EB-2 China | +2 months | no change | +3 weeks | no change | +7 weeks | +9 days |
| EB-3 (all countries) | +2 weeks | no change | no change | no change | no change | no change |
| F2A (all countries) | no change | no change | no change | no change | no change | no change |
| F4 India | no change | no change | no change | no change | no change | no change |
| F2A Mexico | no change | no change | no change | no change | no change | no change |
| EB-2 (all countries) | +2 months | no change | no change | retrogressed | no change | no change |
| F1 Philippines | no change | no change | no change | no change | no change | no change |
When does the Visa Bulletin move? Month by month since 2008
Share of all category/country lines that advanced or retrogressed in each calendar month, FY2008 to November 2026. October starts the federal fiscal year with new visa numbers; late-summer bulletins are when annual limits bite.
| Bulletin month | Advanced | Retrogressed | Unchanged |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49% | 2% | 49% |
| February | 41% | 1% | 58% |
| March | 49% | 2% | 49% |
| April | 51% | 3% | 46% |
| May | 46% | 2% | 52% |
| June | 42% | 3% | 55% |
| July | 48% | 4% | 49% |
| August | 40% | 5% | 55% |
| September | 37% | 4% | 59% |
| October | 55% | 2% | 43% |
| November | 43% | 0% | 57% |
| December | 43% | 2% | 55% |
Key lines in detail
EB-2 India
The EB-2 India final action date is Nov 1, 2013 in the November 2026 bulletin. In the last 36 bulletins it stayed the same 53% of the time, advanced 42% and retrogressed 6%; a typical forward step was 2 months. At the five-year average pace (4.6 months of dates per year), the date would reach about Mar 2014 by November 2027.
EB-3 India
The EB-3 India final action date is Jan 22, 2014 in the November 2026 bulletin. In the last 36 bulletins it stayed the same 42% of the time, advanced 58% and retrogressed 0%; a typical forward step was 4 weeks. At the five-year average pace (4.8 months of dates per year), the date would reach about Jun 2014 by November 2027.
EB-1 India
The EB-1 India final action date is Feb 1, 2023 in the November 2026 bulletin. In the last 36 bulletins it stayed the same 67% of the time, advanced 28% and retrogressed 6%; a typical forward step was 3.6 months. At the five-year average pace (3.1 months of dates per year), the date would reach about May 2023 by November 2027.
EB-2 China
The EB-2 China final action date is Oct 1, 2021 in the November 2026 bulletin. In the last 36 bulletins it stayed the same 61% of the time, advanced 39% and retrogressed 0%; a typical forward step was 4 weeks. At the five-year average pace (6.9 months of dates per year), the date would reach about Apr 2022 by November 2027.
EB-3 (all countries)
The EB-3 (all countries) final action date is Jun 15, 2024 in the November 2026 bulletin. In the last 36 bulletins it stayed the same 44% of the time, advanced 47% and retrogressed 8%; a typical forward step was 5 weeks. At the five-year average pace (7 months of dates per year), the date would reach about Jan 2025 by November 2027.
F2A (all countries)
The F2A (all countries) final action date is Oct 22, 2026 in the November 2026 bulletin. In the last 36 bulletins it stayed the same 56% of the time, advanced 44% and retrogressed 0%; a typical forward step was 5 months. At its average pace it would be current within a year.
Frequently asked questions
When will the December 2026 Visa Bulletin be released?
The State Department usually publishes the next bulletin around the middle of the month before, sometimes in the last week. When it is out, the December 2026 Visa Bulletin page shows every date and what changed.
Will EB-2 India move in the December 2026 Visa Bulletin?
The EB-2 India final action date is Nov 1, 2013 in the November 2026 bulletin. In the last 36 bulletins it stayed the same 53% of the time, advanced 42% and retrogressed 6%; a typical forward step was 2 months. At the five-year average pace (4.6 months of dates per year), the date would reach about Mar 2014 by November 2027. Movement for India depends mostly on how many EB-2 numbers are left over from other countries, so long pauses followed by jumps are common.
What is the EB-3 India prediction?
The EB-3 India final action date is Jan 22, 2014 in the November 2026 bulletin. In the last 36 bulletins it stayed the same 42% of the time, advanced 58% and retrogressed 0%; a typical forward step was 4 weeks. At the five-year average pace (4.8 months of dates per year), the date would reach about Jun 2014 by November 2027.
Will F2A move or retrogress?
The F2A (all countries) final action date is Oct 22, 2026 in the November 2026 bulletin. In the last 36 bulletins it stayed the same 56% of the time, advanced 44% and retrogressed 0%; a typical forward step was 5 months. At its average pace it would be current within a year.
In which months does the Visa Bulletin usually move?
Across all categories and countries since FY2008, October bulletins had the highest share of advances (55% of lines moved forward), because a new fiscal year with fresh visa numbers starts on October 1. August had the most retrogressions (5%), as annual limits are reached late in the fiscal year. In a typical December bulletin, 43% of lines advanced and 2% retrogressed.
How reliable are these predictions?
They are statistics, not insider information: odds and projections come only from how each line moved in past bulletins. The State Department sets dates from demand and visa numbers it does not publish in advance, and policy changes can override any trend. Treat the 12-month range as a rough guide; the date in the official bulletin is the only one that counts.
These projections are our own statistics from the published bulletins. ProcessingTimes is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State or USCIS, and this is not legal advice.
Figures are copied from the official files without changes; derived numbers (changes, backlog estimates) are explained on the methodology page. Not legal advice.