If you are going through the EB3 immigration process, June and July 2026 are important months to understand where things currently stand. The EB3 process moves in stages, and each stage has its own timeline: PERM certification, the I140 petition, and the visa bulletin.
Below is a clear breakdown of what to expect and how everything is moving during this period.
PERM Processing Times in 2026
The first stage of the EB3 process is PERM certification, handled by the U.S. Department of Labor.
U.S. Department of Labor
PERM processing times are updated periodically and show which month of filings are currently being reviewed. As of the latest available update referenced for mid 2026, the Department of Labor is processing PERM cases filed around April to May 2025.
This means:
• Your PERM priority date is the date your labor certification was filed
• Cases filed in May 2025 are actively being approved in real time in some cases
• Updates typically happen at the start of each month
• There is usually a slight delay between official updates and real approvals
For applicants in June and July 2026, this stage is still one of the longest waiting periods in the entire EB3 process.
I140 Processing Times in 2026
Once PERM is approved, the next step is filing Form I140 with U.S. immigration services.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
For EB3 unskilled worker or other worker categories, the average processing time is:
• Around 7.5 months for about 80 percent of cases
• Some approvals happen in a few weeks
• Some cases take longer depending on workload and review requirements
Premium processing is available for I140, but it mainly speeds up only this step. It does not significantly reduce the total EB3 timeline if your visa bulletin date is not current.
Visa Bulletin for June and July 2026
The final stage is the visa bulletin, published by the U.S. Department of State.
U.S. Department of State
The visa bulletin determines when you can actually move forward with green card approval or consular processing.
For July 2026, EB3 Other Workers category uses the Final Action Dates chart.
Key point:
• The relevant chart is Final Action Dates, not Dates for Filing
• The cutoff date shown is March 1, 2022 for most countries
• If your PERM priority date is before this cutoff, your case can proceed to final stages
This means:
If your priority date is earlier than March 1, 2022:
• You may be eligible to adjust status if inside the United States
• Or receive an interview appointment if outside the United States
If your priority date is after this date:
• You must continue waiting until the visa bulletin advances
What June and July 2026 Mean for EB3 Applicants
During this period, the EB3 system is still heavily backlogged in the Other Workers category. The overall flow looks like this:
• PERM is processing 2025 filings
• I140 takes several months after PERM approval
• Visa bulletin is still holding at early 2022 priority dates
This creates a gap between early application stages and final approval availability.
How to Check Your EB3 Case Status
Here is a simple way to track your progress during June and July 2026.
Step 1: Check PERM status
Go to the Department of Labor processing times page and look for the most recent update. Check which filing month is currently being approved.
Step 2: Check I140 processing
Go to the USCIS processing time tool and select:
• Form I140
• EB3 or Other Worker category
• Service center handling your case
Step 3: Check the visa bulletin
Visit the monthly visa bulletin from the Department of State and:
• Find Employment Based Categories
• Go to EB3 Other Workers
• Compare your priority date with Final Action Dates
How to Understand Your Priority Date
Your priority date is one of the most important parts of your case.
It is:
• The date your PERM application was filed
• Used to determine your place in line
• Compared against the visa bulletin cutoff date
If your priority date is earlier than the cutoff, your case is considered current.
FAQ
What is the EB3 processing time in June and July 2026?
The EB3 process in mid 2026 still takes several years overall for many applicants. PERM is processing 2025 filings, I140 takes around 7.5 months, and visa bulletin cutoff dates remain around March 2022 for Other Workers.
How long does PERM take in 2026?
PERM processing is typically several months to over a year depending on backlog. As of mid 2026, cases filed in mid 2025 are being processed.
How long does I140 take?
Most EB3 I140 cases are approved in about 7.5 months, although some are faster or slower depending on the case.
What does the visa bulletin mean?
The visa bulletin shows which priority dates are currently eligible for final green card processing. If your date is earlier than the cutoff, you can move forward.
Can premium processing speed up EB3?
Premium processing only speeds up the I140 stage. It does not change PERM timing or visa bulletin delays.
How to Navigate the EB3 Process Efficiently
Here is a simple step by step approach to stay on track:
- File PERM and track its processing updates through the Department of Labor
- Once approved, file I140 with USCIS
- Monitor visa bulletin monthly to check if your priority date becomes current
- Prepare documentation early for adjustment of status or consular processing
- Stay updated regularly since timelines can shift monthly
Final Thoughts
For June and July 2026, the EB3 process remains steady but slow due to visa bulletin backlogs. The key to understanding your position is tracking all three stages together: PERM, I140, and the visa bulletin.
If you stay consistent with checking updates each month, you will have a clear picture of when your case can move forward.
Also Read: EB-3 Visa Explained: Who Qualifies, Cost, and Timeline
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