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April 2026🔹Visa Bulletin
The U.S. Dept. of State has released the April 2026 Visa Bulletin, the seventh bulletin of Fiscal Year 2026.
APRIL 2026 - USE 'DATES FOR FILING' CHART
STRATEGIC FILING WINDOW - WHAT THIS MEANS
April 2026 - Dates for Filing Chart allows Navigation of Long Queues
- USCIS is honoring the Dates for Filing chart for both family-sponsored and employment-based adjustment filings this month. That means eligible applicants may be able to file now even where final green card approval remains unavailable under the Final Action chart.
- The Dates for Filing chart (Chart B) controls when an applicant may submit the adjustment of status application.
- The Final Action Dates chart (Chart A) still governs when visas are available for approval or issuance.
Family-Based Visas
- Family preference categories remain heavily backlogged, especially for Mexico and the Philippines. . The Dates for Filing chart continues to matter because it can open earlier filing opportunities in preference categories that remain far from current for final approval. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens remain outside the annual quota system and are not controlled by the Visa Bulletin.
Employment-Based Visas
- The April 2026 Visa Bulletin continues measured forward movement in several employment-based categories.
- The main story is continued advancement in several categories rather than broad acceleration. EB-1 remains the strongest path for applicants with unusually strong records of achievement, while EB-2 National Interest Waiver remains a valuable self-petition option for advanced-degree professionals and others whose work has national importance. At the same time, backlogs remain severe for India and China in EB-2 and EB-3, making category selection, timing, and long-range status planning especially important.
- Because USCIS is using the Dates for Filing chart in April 2026, applicants with priority dates earlier than the applicable Chart B cut-off may be able to move forward with adjustment filings now, secure interim benefits such as employment authorization and advance parole, and position their cases ahead of future demand-based slowdowns or retrogression later in the fiscal year.
The Key TakeAWAY
If you are eligible to file, delay is risk. The Visa Bulletin determines when you can act — and when waiting becomes costly. Visa demand can surge quickly, and retrogression later in the fiscal year is common. If you believe your priority date may allow filing this month, eligibility should be reviewed before the window narrows.
APRIL 2026 Visa Bulletin Dates
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
The worldwide annual limit for employment-based immigrants remains at least 140,000 visas. Always confirm eligibility before filing. All Other Countries refers to all chargeability areas except those specifically listed.
EB-1 Priority Workers
EB-1st Preference: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries – Current
China – 01 Dec 2023
India – 01 Dec 2023
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries – Current
China – 01 Apr 2023
India – 01 Apr 2023
EB-2 Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability (including NIW)
EB-2nd Preference: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries – Current
China – 01 Jan 2022
India –15 Jan 2015
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries –15 Oct 2024
China – 01 Sep 2021
India – 15 Jul 2014
EB-3 Professionals & Skilled Workers
EB-3rd Preference: 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which may be allocated to “Other Workers.”
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries – 15 Jan 2024
China – 01 Jan 2022
India – 15 Jan 2015
Philippines - 01 Jan 2024
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries – 01 Oct 2023
China – 01 May 2021
India – 15 Nov 2013
Philippines – 01 Aug 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries –01 Aug 2022
China –01 Oct 2019
India – 15 Jan 2015
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries – 01 Nov 2021
China – 01 Feb 2019
India – 15 Nov 2013
EB-4 Special Immigrants (including SIJS)
EB-4th Preference: 7.1% of the worldwide level.
⚠ The non-minister religious worker program is authorized only through January 30, 2026. The minister category remains permanent.
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Countries – 01 Jan 2023
Certain Religious Workers All Countries – 01 Jan 2023
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Countries – 15 Jul 2022
Certain Religious Workers All Countries – 15 Jul 2022
EB-5 Investors
EB-5th Preference: Employment Creation accounts for 7.1% of the worldwide level, of which 32% are reserved (20% rural, 10% high-unemployment, 2% infrastructure). The remaining 68% are unreserved.
🔹EB-5 Unreserved
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries – Current
China – 01 Oct 2016
India – 01 May 2024
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries – Current
China – 15 Sep 2016
India – 01 May 2022
🔹 EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure)
- Dates for Filing: Current worldwide
- Final Action Dates: Current worldwide
🔹Family-based CATEGORIES
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
The statutory family-sponsored annual limit for FY 2026 is 226,000 visas, with per-country limits applying to oversubscribed nations such as China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines. All Other Countries refers to all chargeability areas except those specifically listed.
Notes for Understanding:
- Immediate relatives are not subject to annual visa limits. For purposes of immigration law, "immediate relatives" are spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens 21 or older.
- A U.S. citizen aged 21 or older can file an I-130 for a parent as an “immediate relative.”
- A lawful permanent resident cannot petition for a parent at all.
- A minor U.S. citizen (under 21) also cannot file an I-130 for a parent.
F1 – Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries –01 Mar 2018
Mexico – 15 Apr 2008
Philippines - 22 Apr 2015
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries - 01 May 2017
Mexico - 15 Feb 2007
Philippines: 01 May 2013
F2A – Spouses and children of permanent residents
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Countries: Current
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries: 01 Feb 2024
Mexico: 01 Feb 2023
F2B – Unmarried sons and daughters (21+) of permanent residents
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries: 08 Aug 2017
Mexico: 15 May 2010
Philippines: 01 Oct 2013
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries: 22 May 2017
Mexico: 15 Feb 2009
Philippines: 08 Apr 2013
F3 – Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries: 22 Nov 2012
Mexico: 01 Jul 2001
Philippines: 15 Jun 2006
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries:22 Dec 2011
Mexico: 01 May 2001
Philippines: 01 Jul 2005
F4 – Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens
- Dates for Filing (When You May File)
All Other Countries: 15 May 2009
India: 15 Dec 2006
Mexico: 30 Apr 2001
Philippines: 22 Mar 2008
- Final Action Dates (Approval Stage)
All Other Countries: 08 Jun2008
India: 01 Nov 2006
Mexico: 08 Apr 2001
Philippines: 01 Feb 2007
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