July 2026 EB-3 Visa Bulletin for Nurses

Latest EB-3 Visa Bulletin update for international nurses: July 2026 Final Action Dates, Dates for Filing, Philippines EB-3 risk, and credential strategy.

This nurse-focused EB-3 Visa Bulletin update summarizes the official July 2026 Department of State employment-based chart for registered nurses planning Schedule A sponsorship, VisaScreen, NCLEX, and employer timing. It is educational, not legal advice.

July 2026 nurse summary

For July 2026, EB-3 skilled workers and professionals show Final Action Dates of 01AUG24 for all chargeability areas except those listed, 22DEC21 for China-mainland born, 01JAN14 for India, 01AUG24 for Mexico, and 01AUG23 for Philippines. Dates for Filing show C for all chargeability areas except those listed, 01JAN22 for China, 15JAN15 for India, C for Mexico, and 01JAN24 for Philippines.

EB-3 dates nurses should track

July 2026 Employment-Based Final Action Dates
Chargeability	EB-3 skilled workers / professionals	Other workers
All chargeability areas except those listed	01AUG24	01MAR22
China-mainland born	22DEC21	01APR19
India	01JAN14	01JAN14
Mexico	01AUG24	01MAR22
Philippines	01AUG23	01DEC21

July 2026 Employment-Based Dates for Filing
Chargeability	EB-3 skilled workers / professionals	Other workers
All chargeability areas except those listed	C	01AUG22
China-mainland born	01JAN22	01OCT19
India	15JAN15	15JAN15
Mexico	C	01AUG22
Philippines	01JAN24	01AUG22

Philippines EB-3 may retrogress

The July 2026 bulletin specifically warns that sufficient demand and increased number use for Philippines EB-3 may make retrogression or unavailability necessary in coming months. Filipino nurses should treat that as a reason to keep NCLEX, VisaScreen, state licensure, and contract review moving instead of relying on fixed arrival promises.

What nurses should do with this bulletin

Compare your country of chargeability with the EB-3 skilled worker/professional row, not only your passport or current residence.
Use Final Action Dates to understand when a green card case can finish, and Dates for Filing to understand when document collection may move forward if the correct chart applies.
Keep VisaScreen, NCLEX, and first-state license work active during retrogression so the credential file is not the final blocker when dates move.
Review agency or employer contracts for visa bulletin language, repayment terms, I-140 timing, and what happens if EB-3 becomes unavailable.

Official sources to verify

Always verify this page against the Department of State Visa Bulletin and the USCIS filing chart page before making filing, travel, contract, or resignation decisions.

Search intent summary

Fast answer for this pathway

For nurses checking the latest EB-3 Visa Bulletin, July 2026 Final Action Dates, Dates for Filing, Philippines retrogression risk, and Schedule A timing.

Quick answer

The July 2026 EB-3 skilled worker/professional row shows different timing by chargeability: all chargeability areas except those listed and Mexico are at 01AUG24, China is 22DEC21, India is 01JAN14, and Philippines is 01AUG23 for Final Action Dates. Nurses should pair this with VisaScreen, NCLEX, license, and contract planning.

Common searches this guide answers

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Best fit

Registered nurses comparing EB-3 priority-date timing before signing a contract.
Filipino, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, and worldwide candidates checking chargeability rows.
Candidates who need to align VisaScreen, NCLEX, and state licensure with visa-number movement.

Watch-outs

Schedule A does not skip visa-number availability or priority-date movement.
USCIS may require a specific chart for adjustment filing, so do not rely on Dates for Filing without checking USCIS.
The July 2026 bulletin warns that Philippines EB-3 may retrogress or become unavailable if demand requires it.

90-day action plan

Days 1-30
Confirm country of chargeability, current EB-3 row, NCLEX status, VisaScreen status, and first-state license plan.
Days 31-60
Move slow credential documents while checking employer or agency contracts for visa bulletin and delay language.
Days 61-90
Use the next monthly bulletin to decide whether to accelerate document collection, contract review, or alternate-route planning.

Next pages to compare

How to verify this guide

This guide is general education for pathway planning. It is not legal advice, medical advice, recruiting, immigration representation, or a state-board licensing decision.

Last reviewed: July 14, 2026

Official sources to check before acting

USCIS EB-3 permanent workers - Confirm EB-3 category rules, petition context, and official immigration terminology.
U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin - Check current EB-3 priority-date movement and country chargeability.
CGFNS VisaScreen - Verify VisaScreen requirements for internationally educated healthcare professionals.
NCLEX official site - Confirm NCLEX exam information before planning licensure timelines.
Relevant state board of nursing or physical therapy - Confirm state board licensing requirements, forms, fees, and processing steps.

See how sources, review dates, and corrections are handled in our editorial policy

EB-3 Visa Bulletin for nurses FAQ

Does Schedule A skip the EB-3 Visa Bulletin?+

No. Schedule A can remove PERM recruitment for qualifying nurse roles, but it does not create extra immigrant visa numbers or skip priority-date availability.

Which EB-3 row should registered nurses usually watch?+

Most professional RN green-card planning tracks the EB-3 skilled workers/professionals row, but the exact case category should be confirmed with the employer or attorney.

Should nurses stop credential work during retrogression?+

Usually no. Retrogression can make the immigration finish line slower, but NCLEX, VisaScreen, state licensure, English scores, and contract review often still need months of work.