Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 12 IMMIGRATION May 22, 2026 Indian Green Card Applicants Face Longer Waits After June Visa Bulletin Setback I ndian professionals waiting for employ- ment-based green cards face longer delays after the U.S. Department of State moved backward key cutoff dates for the EB-1 and EB-2 categories in its June 2026 Visa Bul- letin. The bulletin lists India’s EB-1 final action date at Dec. 15, 2022, down from April 1, 2023, in May. India’s EB-2 final action date moved to Sept. 1, 2013, from July 15, 2014. Final action dates determine when immigrant visas or green cards may be approved for applicants whose priority dates are earlier than the listed date. The State Department said high demand and visa usage by applicants chargeable to In- dia made the retrogression necessary to keep visa use within the fiscal 2026 annual limit. The agency warned that further retrogres- sion, or making the categories “unavailable,” may be necessary if India’s limits are reached before the fiscal year ends Sept. 30. The move is expected to affect thousands of Indian technology workers, researchers, physicians, execu- tives and other highly skilled professionals already in the green card queue. Many are working in the United States on temporary visas while wait- ing years — and in some cases decades — for permanent residency. The bulletin also warns that India’s EB-5 un- reserved category could retrogress or become unavailable as soon as next month because of increased demand and visa use. Similar warn- ings were issued for China’s EB-2 category and the Philippines’ EB-3 category. Employment-based immigrant visas are subject to annual limits, with the worldwide employment-based preference level at least 140,000. U.S. law also applies a 7% per-country limit for preference immigrants, a rule that has contributed to long waits for applicants from high-demand countries such as India. For Indian applicants, the June bulletin means some cases that appeared close to approval may now be delayed again. Immigra- tion attorneys generally advise applicants to monitor monthly bulletins closely, maintain lawful status and be prepared for additional movement — forward or backward — before the fiscal year closes. By a StaffWriter Image illustrated by the News India Times team based on USCIS guidelines. Proposed H-1B Pause Could Reshape U.S. Job Path For Indian Graduates A Republican-backed bill seek- ing a three-year pause on new H-1B visas has raised concerns among Indian students and professionals who rely on the program to move from U.S. education to employ- ment. The bill, introduced by Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., would pause H-1B issuance for three years, reduce the annual cap, replace the lottery with a wage-based system, set a $200,000 minimum salary requirement and end Optional Practical Training, or OPT. It has not become law. The proposal could have a major im- pact on Indian graduates in the United States, especially those completing master’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, business and health-related fields. Many international students use OPT after graduation to gain work expe- rience while seeking employer sponsor- ship for an H-1B visa. U.S. colleges also view OPT as central to attracting foreign students. A 2025 Institute of International Education snapshot found that 92% of surveyed U.S. institutions said international stu- dents would likely choose other countries if OPT were unavailable. India would be among the most af- fected countries. USCIS data show that 71% of approved H-1B petitions in fiscal 2024 were for beneficiaries born in India. For Indian students, the uncertainty may change the financial calculation of studying in the United States. Families often invest heavily in U.S. degrees with the expectation that graduates will have a chance to work, repay loans and build careers. If OPT is removed and H-1B ac- cess is paused or narrowed, students may increasingly consider Canada, Britain, Australia, Germany or other countries with clearer work pathways. The bill is unlikely to affect current rules unless it passes Congress and is signed into law. But even as a proposal, it signals growing political pressure on the H-1B system and may make U.S. employ- ers more cautious about hiring foreign graduates who need visa sponsorship. By a StaffWriter PHOTO: ILLUSTRATION CREATEDWITH AI BYTHE NEWS INDIATIMESTEAM An international student reacts after reading information about proposed H-1B visa restrictions on a U.S. university campus, reflecting growing concerns among foreign graduates seeking employment opportunities in America. Eli Crane has introduced legislation proposing a temporary pause and major reforms to the H-1B visa program.