April 2026 Visa Bulletin shows big movements, including EB-2 India Priority Date

VisaNation’s legal team provides timely updates on the latest USCIS visa bulletin, analyzes movements in filing and final action dates, and predicts upcoming movements in priority dates. This month, we’ll go over the April 2026 visa bulletin.

For more information on how to read the bulletin, scroll to the bottom of the post or view the Table of Contents.

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April 2026 Visa Bulletin: Overview and Predictions

The April 2026 Visa Bulletin introduces meaningful forward movement across several employment and family-based categories.

• EB-1 (China & India): Final Action Dates saw one month forward progress from March 2023 to April 2023. As expected, movement in this category will remain slow and steady.
• EB-2 (All Chargeability Areas, Mexico, Philippines) Final Action Dates: CURRENT. Dates jumped from October 2024. Begin filing as soon as possible while the favorable dates last!
• EB-2 (China) Final Action Dates: Remain at September 2021.
• EB-2 (India) Final Action Dates: About 10 months of movement from Sep 2013 to Jul 2014. This is significant for those close, but a decade-plus backlog remains, and these significant jumps are unlikely to continue towards the end of the fiscal year.
• EB-3 (All Chargeability Areas / Mexico) Final Action Dates: Solid 8-month advance from Oct 2023 to Jun 2024.
• EB-3 (All Chargeability Areas / Mexico) Filing Dates: Became CURRENT in April – a huge update from Jan 2024.
• EB-3 (China) Final Action Dates: Six weeks of movement from May to June 2021. Small but important nonetheless.
• EB-3 (India) Dates for Filing: progressed ~5 months to Jan 2015. It is worth checking your filing dates to see if you can file the I-485 change of status for those eligible.

Family

Unlike months where family categories stall or see slow progress, the April Visa Bulletin saw months of movement for almost every family preference category:

• F1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens (F1) Final Action Dates: saw significant 5.5-month advancements.
• F2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents Dates for Filing: Dates are now current, jumping from February 2026 across all chargeability areas.
• F2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents Final Action Dates: experienced a jump of roughly 5.5 months.
• F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens Final Action Dates: All Chargeability Areas, China, and India advanced by roughly 3.5 months. The Philippines advanced by 4 months.
• F4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens Final Action Dates: progressed 5 months for all chargeability areas, China, and the Philippines.

Analysis and Predictions

While we are witnessing significant change across various categories, this also sends warning signals that retrogression later in FY 2026 remains possible. Dramatic forward progress is occurring due to Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998, along with the pause on immigrant visa processing for nationalities at high risk of U.S. public benefits reliance.

This has reduced immigrant visas to certain countries, causing the Department of State to redistribute the unused quota across other chargeability areas.

VisaNation Tip

Applicants must understand that these giant leaps are a temporary window of opportunity, and the timeframe to take advantage in filing and final action dates may be short. File as soon as possible to take advantage of these favorable dates.

Huge Leap for EB-2 Final Action Dates

In April, a significant update occurred for the EB-2 final action dates for all chargeability areas, Mexico, and the Philippines. The date jumped approximately 17 months to become current. This unexpected leap invites a unique opportunity for applications for concurrent filing that should be actioned as soon as possible before possible regressions.

Additionally, India saw a massive jump of 10 months in EB-2 Final action dates, providing an adjustment of status opportunity for many applicants.

Filing Dates Become Current For F2A and EB-3

April also witnessed a HUGE leap to current for two major categories on the Dates for Filing chart: F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) across all countries, and EB-3 (Skilled Workers/Professionals) for All Chargeability Areas and Mexico.

Overall, the administration’s actions and recent national security measures are causing lower consular issuance abroad, freeing up numbers for adjustment applicants inside the U.S.

Importantly, if consular processing resumes at higher rates, advancement may slow.

Strategic Takeaways for Employers and Applicants

1. If eligible for filing an adjustment of status, do so quickly. The advancement window may not remain open.
2. EB-1 remains stable but slow for India and China.
3. EB-2 India has witnessed strong movement over the past two months, but remains deeply backlogged.
4. Retrogression risk increases in Q3 and Q4 of FY 2026.
5. Adjustment filings will surge in response to April’s forward movement, potentially triggering corrections later.

Forecast for the Remainder of FY 2026

Based on the April bulletin:

• Expect continued advancement in EB-2 and EB-3 Worldwide through late spring.
• India categories will move slowly and cautiously.
• China likely remains static in EB-2 and EB-3 for several months.
• Retrogression is a real possibility by July or August if demand spikes.

The April bulletin reflects proactive allocation management rather than organic demand relief.

Final insight

The forward movement is real. The window is open. But it is not guaranteed to stay that way. Employers and applicants who qualify under the newly advanced dates should evaluate filing strategies immediately, because history tells us that rapid advancement is often followed by mid- year correction.

Adjustment of Status (AOS) Filing Guidance

For Adjustment of Status (AOS) filings, USCIS has confirmed:

• Employment-based categories:  You must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for April 2026.
• Family-sponsored categories: You must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for April 2026.

Final Action vs. Filing Dates:

It’s important to differentiate between the final action dates (when a visa can be issued) and the filing dates (when an application can be submitted). This will help applicants understand their current status and next steps.

The Final Action Dates chart determines when an I-485 adjustment of status application can be approved (adjudicated) and your green card issued, while the Dates for Filing Chart determines when you can submit your I-485 Adjustment of Status application.

Here is why this distinction is critical for our clients:

For individuals with a pending Adjustment of Status (AOS) application, we stress that their priority date must be current under the Final Action Chart for their green card to be approved.

This is also where advanced strategies like interfiling, a process that allows AOS applicants to change their preference category, become a key topic. Interfiling is a process our attorneys use to move a client’s pending AOS application from one preference category to a more favorable one (e.g., from EB-3 to EB-2) to take advantage of a more current Final Action Date. This is a complex legal decision, and we recommend contacting VisaNation Law Group to determine if it is the right strategy for your specific case.

As the fiscal year progresses, demand fluctuations and potential “retrogressions” remain possible. Our firm doesn’t just monitor these trends; we actively analyze them to provide projections as new information becomes available. We encourage all applicants to stay informed and prepared for potential adjustments in the coming months.

Family-Based Green Cards

The category for family-based immigration comprises four preference levels based on who your sponsoring family member is in relation to you. They include:

• F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.
• F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
• F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation.
• F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
• F4: Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

There are five chargeability areas for this category: China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, and “All Other Chargeability Areas.” Your country of chargeability is where you were born.

Family-Based Dates for Filing Charts

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the filing date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Key Takeaways

• F1:

  • All Chargeability / China / India: Advanced 6 months to 01MAR18

  • Mexico: Advanced 4.5 months to 15APR08

• F2A:

  • All areas: Advanced to Current from 22FEB26.

• F2B:

  • All Chargeability / China / India: Advanced ~4.5 months to 08AUG17

  • Mexico: Advanced 3 months to 15MAY10

• F3:

  • All Chargeability / China / India: Advanced 4 months to 22NOV12

  • Philippines: Advanced 1.5 months to 15JUL06

• F4:

  • All Chargeability / China: Advanced 2.5 months to 15MAY09

  • Philippines: Advanced ~2 months to 22MAR08

Family-Based Final Action Dates Chart

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the final action date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Takeaways

• F1:

  • All Chargeability / China / India: Advanced ~6 months to 01MAY17

  • Mexico: Advanced 1.5 months to 15FEB07

  • Philippines: Advanced 2 months to 01MAY13

• F2B:

  • All Chargeability / China / India: Advanced ~5.5 months to 22MAY17

  • Philippines: Advanced ~3.5 months 08APR13

• F3:

  • All Chargeability / China / India: Advanced ~3.5 months to 22DEC11

  • Philippines: Advanced 4 months to 01JUL05

• F4:

  • All Chargeability / China: Advanced 5 months to 08JUN08

  • Philippines: Advanced 5 months to 01FEB07

Employment-Based Green Cards

With five different preference levels and seven chargeability areas, USCIS issues employment-based category visas through your job or occupation. The chargeability areas are China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador), Vietnam, and the general category.

Employment-Based Dates: Final Action Dates

Key changes

• 1st Preference:

  • China & India: Advanced 1 month to 01APR23

• 2nd Preference:

  • All Chargeability / Mexico / Philippines: Advanced to Current

  • India: Advanced 10 months 15JUL14

• 3rd Preference:

  • All Chargeability / Mexico: Advanced 8 months to 01JUN24

  • China: Advanced 1.5 months to 15JUN21

• Other Workers:

  • China: Advanced ~1.5 months to 01FEB19

• 4th Preference & Certain Religious Workers:

  • All areas: Advanced exactly 1 year to 15JUL22

• 5th Unreserved:

  • China: Advanced 2 weeks 01SEP16

Employment-Based Dates for Filing Chart

Importantly, for employment-based categories, adjustment of status applicants can use the Filing Dates chart.

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the final action date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Key changes

• 2nd Preference:

  • India: Advanced 2.5 months to 15JAN15

• 3rd Preference:

  • All Chargeability / Mexico: Advanced to Current

  • India: Advanced 5 months to 15JAN15

• Other Workers:

  • All Chargeability / Mexico / Philippines: Advanced ~1.5 months to 01AUG22

  • India: Advanced 5 months to 15JAN15

Important April 2026 Visa Bulletin Dates

For those new to the green card process, our law firm recommends learning a few terms and dates to understand the rest of this visa bulletin report. If you have further questions about the process or anything else about your green card, you should consult with your immigration attorney.

Priority Dates

Each person who files a petition with the USCIS receives a priority date when the government obtains their petition. A priority date establishes a person’s place in line to get an immigrant visa. Keep this date handy, since you will need it to compare with the dates in this bulletin. Remember that your priority date does not move, and you cannot change it except under certain circumstances.

Note: Priority dates are not relevant for immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens (e.g., spouses or minor children) as that category is always current.

Final Action Dates

Final action dates are based on the green card category and the chargeability area – your country of origin. Therefore, the final action dates constantly change based on how many people from each chargeability area have petitioned for that green card.

If green cards are still available, the final action date will likely move closer to your priority date. If green cards are unavailable, you will not see any movement from that final action date. However, if the limit has passed, you may see the date retrogress or move backward from your priority date.

Once the final action date in your green card preference level and chargeability area reaches your priority date, your priority date will be considered current. Once current, you will adjust your status or go through consular processing.

Date for Filing Charts and I-485

You’ll notice there are two charts for each category.

1. The Date for Filing chart determines whether or not one can submit the final immigrant visa application.
2. The Final Action Date chart indicates whether an immigrant visa number will be available.

USCIS announces which chart applicants can use within a week of the visa bulletin’s release.

Can You Shorten Your Waiting Time?

The short answer is: probably not. However, there are two prominent cases in which you may be able to shorten your green card processing time, which we will explain here.

1. The first way is to file an I-140 for a green card category that has a current priority date. In this case, your green card can begin processing immediately, and you can even pay an additional fee for premium processing, which will shorten the processing time to 15 business days. However, this is only available for certain green cards that use the I-140.
2. The second situation involves green card “porting,” or transferring your application from a lower preference level (EB-3) to a higher one (EB-2) to take advantage of the shorter waiting times. This is misleading because you don’t port your green card. In reality, you need to start with a new petition (and a new PERM if necessary). The “porting” aspect only comes in when you indicate that you want to retain your original priority date.

As attractive as “porting” might seem, it is a delicate process with particular requirements. Therefore, we recommend running complex decisions like this through your immigration attorney.

Staying Up-to-Date

In the world of immigration law, it always pays to be informed. The more you know about your green card, the easier it will be to make informed decisions about your case. To stay in the know about things like the newest visa bulletin, follow the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin.