The US Department of State’s August 2026 Visa Bulletin advances several family-sponsored green card categories, according to multiple reports. Both outlets say the update provides a significant boost for applicants seeking immigrant visas through family relationships, with movement in categories that had been waiting for earlier cut-off dates. At the same time, the updates continue to show slower progress for employment-based applicants. Both sources note that employment-related backlogs and delays persist for many workers, meaning that progress in family categories is not mirrored across all employment preferences. Together, the reports indicate that the Visa Bulletin is improving timelines for many family visa applicants while maintaining a slower pace for employment-based cases. The overall effect is a split outcome: family-sponsored applicants see broader gains for August, while employment backlogs remain a key issue for those pursuing green cards through job-based pathways. Applicants generally rely on the bulletin’s cut-off dates to determine when they may proceed with next steps in the visa process.