The U.S. Department of State has released the April 2026 Visa Bulletin, and USCIS has confirmed that employment-based applicants must continue to use the Dates for Filing chart this month. The bulletin reflects continued forward movement across multiple employment-based categories, reinforcing a multi-month trend rather than a one-time shift.
Key Movement Across Employment-Based Categories
EB-2 (ROW): Final Action Date advanced from October 15, 2024 to Current. Dates for Filing also remains Current.
EB-3 (ROW): Final Action Date advanced by 8 months to June 1, 2024. Dates for Filing also advanced to Current — a significant expansion of I-485 filing access for this category.
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
| Employment-based | All Chargability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINE – mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | C | 01APR23 | 01APR23 | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 01SEP21 | 15JUL14 | C | C |
| 3rd | 01JUN24 | 15JUN21 | 15NOV13 | 01JUN24 | 01AUG23 |
EB-2 and EB-3 (India): Dates for Filing for both categories now stand at January 15, 2015, eliminating any filing advantage previously associated with EB-2 to EB-3 downgrade strategies for Indian nationals.
Context note: The State Department has attributed this forward movement to decreased consular issuance rates resulting from the administration’s nationality-based travel restrictions and immigrant visa processing pauses. The bulletin explicitly cautions that retrogression may be necessary later in FY2026 if demand patterns shift or current policies change.
Why This Matters
For global mobility leaders, April continues to expand access to Adjustment of Status (I-485) filings, building on the filing window created in March.
This enables more employees already in the U.S. to move into the adjustment phase, improving work authorization stability, travel flexibility, and retention even as final approval timelines remain backlog driven.
Strategic Implications
- Continued use of Dates for Filing supports earlier access to EAD and Advance Parole (AP)
- Multi-month movement suggests a managed pipeline approach by agencies
- India strategy shift: alignment of EB-2 and EB-3 reduces the advantage of downgrade strategies
Recommended Best Practices
- Review Eligible Populations: Employers may wish to reassess EB-2 and EB-3 candidates to identify newly eligible filings
- Leverage Adjustment of Status: In-country filing remains the more predictable pathway
- Monitor Demand Impact: Increased filings may influence future visa bulletin movement
Final Takeaway
The April 2026 Visa Bulletin reflects continued, measured progress that expands filing opportunities and supports workforce stability.
However, as demand increases, future movement will depend on visa usage and processing capacity. Employers should act thoughtfully leveraging current opportunities while maintaining realistic expectations for long-term timelines.
For case-specific strategy and compliance support, contact your Newland Chase advisor or email [email protected].
For further details, visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html.
This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.
