The new VB has been published, and thankfully there is at least some change. EU has increased and small changes for SA and OC. Algeria, Egypt and Nepal have increased also.
So – whilst they really could have done more, it is nice to see some increase. Hopefully we could see higher increases next month.
Those that are current, and have forms processed early enough, can normally expect their 2NL in the next 2 to 3 weeks from now. This is supposed to be the same every month. VB from the 8th to the 15th of each month, and 2NLs in the second half of the month. For the last few months there have been 2NLs in daily batches, but we seem to be moving to a more normal procedure where almost all the 2NLs are sent before the end of the month, with just a handful being sent earlier this month. I would normally expect all the interview 2NLs to have all been sent by the end of this month, but we can see recently they are exceeding that to try and get as many interviews in as possible. They can be sent right up until the last day of the month, and even the first few days of the following month during exceptional times. One quick point, the 2NLs tend to come out in an approximate alphabetical order, based on the city name of the embassy. So, Addis and Accra tend to be early, and an embassy such as Yaounde would be later. As ever, just be patient…
To those new to looking at VBs, let me explain what the “except” XXX country means – and you can also read this post on how to read the visa bulletin.
May 24, 2026 at 08:38
Hey Simon,
I dont really know how the lawsuit works but is there a website or any way I can stay updated about the lawsuits and process (for example when the next court processing/hearing will be)?
May 24, 2026 at 10:46
Well – I don’t track the schedule of every lawsuit, but there is some info here:
https://britsimonsays.com/lawsuit-tracker.html
May 22, 2026 at 09:45
Hope all is well Simon,
Even though I might guess the answer I’ve just wanted to give it a go: 2NLs for July 2026 have not been sent yet. Is there a possibility that they won’t send any 2NLs for July at all, even if CNs increase? If so, does this imply that following future VBs is pointless from now on?
May 22, 2026 at 12:31
No. 2NLs have been sent.
May 18, 2026 at 14:23
Hi Simon,
I know you must get this question about predictions all the time, and I apologize for adding to the pile, but I’d really appreciate your insight if you have a moment.
I’m case number EU23XXX and In your latest video, you mentioned that you think Europe will be freezed again and I wanted to ask what you meant by that exactly ?
Do you mean by that that the visa bulletins won’t increase anymore, or only that the interviews at the embassy will be slowed down?
Because if the bulletins freeze once again, my chances of becoming current will be extremely reduced…
I still have hope because the Paris embassy is apparently quite responsive, but being current only for September would still be very risky, wouldn’t it?
Thank you for the amazing work you do, I’ve been watching all your videos for almost a year now.
God bless you.
May 19, 2026 at 18:26
I don’t know what you are referring to that I said.
I don’t think the VB numbers will be frozen for the final two months. It’s possible, but that is not what I expect. So – I don’t know where you got that idea from.
May 14, 2026 at 20:29
I’m in the US on a student visa, and my number is current. Not sure what to do:
– Start the process via AOS or CP, risking that they never lift the pause and I get denied future visas (since I’ve shown immigration intent).
– Don’t start, and have them lift the pause around Jul/Aug and miss the train.
What are your thoughts?
May 15, 2026 at 08:03
You could wait a short while to see what progress is made in the lawsuits. Probably AOS is your safest option.
May 15, 2026 at 12:44
But would you do it now? Risking future visas? or you think the risk is low?
May 15, 2026 at 18:46
I would wait until the legal cases have advanced a bit more, and probably file in a month from now.
May 19, 2026 at 11:20
When is the next update on the legal case expected?
May 19, 2026 at 14:40
We can’t “predict” the dates – but the lawyers are hoping for an early June result.
May 14, 2026 at 11:30
Hello Sir,
Do you think the increase of only 3000k for Europe is due to the fact that 45% of the actual cases up to 20,000 are still with NVC status and it is assumed that many of them will be able to be processed?
Thank you!
May 14, 2026 at 15:27
No. Whilst backlogs can factor in, that would not be the case after three frozen VBs.
May 14, 2026 at 03:20
“Hi Brit, I’m a DV2026 winner from Albania with case number EU12xxx. My DS-260 was submitted in May 2025 right after selection, but I still haven’t received a 2NL. Considering the current DV/public charge pause affecting Albania, do you think my case still has a realistic chance?”
May 14, 2026 at 09:51
You still have a chance. If you do go for interview you need to prepare well for the public charge questions.
May 13, 2026 at 21:50
Is kenya going to reach 45k with the backlog in Nairobi really? My number is around 44k
May 14, 2026 at 09:50
I don’t know.
May 13, 2026 at 21:31
Hi Simon, Greetings, thank you for VB update. I m from nepal and F1 status. My case no 129xx, just became current, now I have 3 options, apply AOS, CP from qatar(as per in DS 260}, or change CP from Nepal. Thank you for your advise 🙏.
May 14, 2026 at 09:50
AOS is your best chance.
Read this reply to someone else.
https://britsimonsays.com/visa-bulletin-for-july-2026-interviews-published/comment-page-1/#comment-376637
May 13, 2026 at 19:23
Hi Si! Hope all is well.
Your fellow Brit here (130K CN) – I think it’s fair to say that my chances are more than likely over now with the small movement in the bulletin and the short time frame we have left of the fiscal year.
I mean, even in a “current” scenario, I’d assume I’d still be really tight on the time we have left. Would it more so come down to embassy capacity? I’m at the London embassy for reference & I have no idea how there getting on at the moment.
I feel, I’ve been holding on to a small glimmer of hope for so long and it now feels like it’s over in a way…
Thanks for all you do as always, it doesn’t go unnoticed!
May 14, 2026 at 09:48
Hi Ryan,
Yes the window is closing – as we always knew it probably would.
Now in the scenario of regional current coming in the last month, yes there would be a capacity concern at London. But we can do the math on that…
There are about 530 UK cases above the real EU cutoff (50 to 189k). From 50 to 130K there are 308 – so 220 cases are “worse off” than you.
If we assume that about 60% would be ready for scheduling (i.e. they submitted and processed their DS260), that gives about 180 ish interviews that would be needed in September. That isn’t impossible at London – they could certainly absorb that workload. But the question is “would they” – that I don’t know.
So unfortunately I don’t think you will be able to stop daydreaming of greencard life until the VB published in July, and if we see current you will then be tortured for another month or two. A cutoff might be the kindest thing for you.
May 13, 2026 at 16:30
My name is Alex mensah from Ghana Africa I’m still waiting for my faaback please thank again 0242083366
May 14, 2026 at 09:32
You now have a fan club. There are people watching your pointless posts and cheering you on. But – you have already had your feedback, and the feedback won’t change.
May 13, 2026 at 15:36
Hello, I completed my DS on 08 June 2025 for AOS and was sent to KCC. On August 21th, 2025 I received an email from KCC acknowledging my intent of AOS. Now that my CN is current, my first name is A**** and Nickname is S****. When should i expect the 2NL, and how soon should I submit the AOS package.
Thank you
May 14, 2026 at 09:25
AOS is a different process and if you have become current (according to the advanced notice in the VB) you can actually file now with the early filing policy. However, this is a basic question and you don’t seem to know what you are doing SO – I strongly suggest you spend some time looking at the incredibly helpful and complete instructions compiled by “Sm1smom”. There is a link below and the first post of that thread has links to document that make the whole AOS process clear. Read that like your life depends on it, and don’t waste Sm1smom’s time with questions until you have read the instructions.
https://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2026-aos-adjustment-of-status-process-only.352867/