The visa bulletin for May and June 2026 has introduced shifts that directly impact Chinese executives, investors, and multinational companies. Compared to earlier months, we see forward movement in EB-1C and partial retrogression or stagnation in other categories. Understanding these changes is critical to making informed filing decisions.

Previously, EB-1C priority dates for China had been largely static, limiting the ability of qualified multinational managers to file adjustment of status (I-485). However, the recent bulletins show a forward movement of approximately 45 days from April to mid-May 2026. This means that more EB-1C applicants will become eligible to file I-485 and thus reduce their overall wait time. From our practical experience handling over 50 EB-1C cases annually, timely filing I-485 as soon as priority dates become current is key to avoid unnecessary delays and potential Requests for Evidence (RFE).

Conversely, the EB-5 category for China remains in a complex state. While the Rural or Targeted Employment Area (TEA) subset shows slight forward movement, the standard EB-5 category still faces retrogression. We have observed in recent cases that clients who proactively prepare comprehensive source-of-funds documentation and select projects qualifying for the TEA category benefit from faster processing and less risk of visa number unavailability. Based on 8 CFR §204.6 and USCIS policy manual Volume 6, Part G, careful attention to project selection and documentation quality is indispensable.

For H-1B applicants and holders, the bulletin shows no significant change in employment-based third preference (EB-3) categories, which means that the traditional PERM and labor certification route remains the primary path. However, given the slower movement, we advise clients to explore EB-1A or NIW options where eligible, or maintain valid H-1B status via extensions. From our casework, about 20% of tech clients benefit from concurrent filing strategies when priority dates are close to current.

A recent example highlights these points: a fintech company executive we represented was able to file I-485 in May 2026 after the EB-1C date moved forward, reducing his green card wait by nearly six months compared to delaying filing. Meanwhile, an EB-5 investor client who switched to a TEA project last year saw his visa number become current ahead of others stuck in the standard category, enabling faster conditional green card issuance.

Attorney Insight
Actionable steps we recommend now include: (1) Log into the USCIS case status system and verify I-797 approval dates to confirm eligibility for adjustment of status filing. (2) Work with your legal team to assemble updated financial and personal documentation reflecting current requirements under USCIS policy manual 6 USCIS-PM G.2. (3) For L-1 clients, coordinate with HR to ensure LCA and I-129 filings are aligned with current priority date movements to avoid gaps in status.

In summary, the May-June 2026 visa bulletin presents new opportunities for EB-1C and EB-5 applicants, while H-1B and EB-3 remain steady. From our perspective, proactive preparation and filing aligned with these movements can substantially shorten wait times and reduce uncertainty. We encourage clients to review their visa category status monthly and plan filings accordingly to maximize benefits.

Data Sources

[1] U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov [2] USCIS, uscis.gov