Priority Date Retrogression Tracker
Every month where the State Department moved a priority date backward (retrogression), breaking the typical forward movement pattern.
9
Total Retrogressions
4
Months Affected
1857
Max Days Set Back
319
Avg Days Set Back
| Month | Category | Country | Was | Set Back To | Days Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | EB-3 | All Chargeability Areas (Rest of World) | Sep 1, 2024 | ↓ Aug 1, 2024 | −31 days |
| October 2026 | EB-3 | Mexico | Sep 1, 2024 | ↓ Aug 1, 2024 | −31 days |
| June 2026 | EB-2 | India | Jul 15, 2014 | ↓ Sep 1, 2013 | −317 days |
| August 2025 | EB-1 | India | Feb 1, 2022 | ↓ Jan 1, 2017 | −1,857 days |
| January 2025 | EB-2 | All Chargeability Areas (Rest of World) | Jul 1, 2022 | ↓ Feb 15, 2022 | −136 days |
| January 2025 | EB-2 | Mexico | Jul 1, 2022 | ↓ Feb 15, 2022 | −136 days |
| January 2025 | EB-2 | Philippines | Jul 1, 2022 | ↓ Feb 15, 2022 | −136 days |
| January 2025 | EB-2 | Vietnam | Jul 1, 2022 | ↓ Feb 15, 2022 | −136 days |
| January 2025 | EB-3 | India | Apr 1, 2012 | ↓ Jan 1, 2012 | −91 days |
What is retrogression? Retrogression occurs when the State Department moves a visa bulletin priority date backward compared to the prior month. This happens when too many people with earlier priority dates apply for visas, depleting the annual cap faster than anticipated. Retrogression is most common in October (start of fiscal year) and in oversubscribed categories like EB-2 and EB-3 for India and China.