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March 2026 Visa Bulletin
The U.S. Department of State released the March 2026 Visa Bulletin for Fiscal Year 2026.
USCIS Filing Guidance
USCIS has confirmed that for March 2026:
- Employment-based applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart from the March 2026 Visa Bulletin.
This chart determines whether individuals are eligible to submit Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) based on their priority date.
Employment-Based Dates for Filing
| Category | All Others | China | India | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB‑1 | Current | December 1, 2023 | December 1, 2023 | China & India advance (from Aug 1, 2023 → Dec 1, 2023) |
| EB‑2 | Current | January 1, 2022 | November 1, 2014 | All Others advance to Current; India advances (Dec 1, 2013 → Nov 1, 2014) |
| EB‑3 Professionals/Skilled Workers | January 15, 2024 | January 1, 2022 | August 15, 2014 | All Others advance (Oct 1, 2023 → Jan 15, 2024) |
| EB‑3 Other Workers | June 22, 2022 | October 1, 2019 | August 15, 2014 | All Others advance (Dec 1, 2021 → Jun 22, 2022) |
| EB‑4 | January 1, 2023 | January 1, 2023 | January 1, 2023 | All categories advance (from Mar 15, 2021 → Jan 1, 2023) |
| EB‑4 Certain Religious Workers | January 1, 2023 | January 1, 2023 | January 1, 2023 | Same movement as EB‑4; all advance |
| EB‑5 Unreserved (Regional & Non‑Regional Center) | Current | October 1, 2016 | May 1, 2024 | India advances (May 1, 2022 → May 1, 2024) |
| EB‑5 Set‑Asides (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) | Current | Current | Current | All categories remain current |
For the full charts, click here.
Attorney Insight: March 2026 Visa Bulletin
The March 2026 Visa Bulletin brings unexpected forward movement across several employment‑based categories, especially EB‑2 for All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed, Mexico and the Philippines. This level of advancement is unusual for March, as major jumps typically occur at the start or end of the fiscal year—not during H‑1B cap season.
The State Department, however, notes in the March Visa Bulletin that U.S. Consulate immigrant visa issuance rates for foreign nationals from certain countries have decreased due to various Trump Administration immigration actions, such as the December 2025 travel ban and recent suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries.
EB-3 Movement
EB‑3 also advanced for these same chargeability areas, though more modestly. Even so, both categories are now positioned to support a significant increase in adjustment-of-status filings in March.
Eb-2 Movement
A standout development is the 11‑month advancement in India EB‑2, a category that has seen very limited movement recently. This shift is likely to trigger a substantial wave of green card filings from long‑waiting applicants.
Whether this trend continues into April remains to be seen. The State Department also notes in the March visa Bulletin that, as additional demand materializes due to this advancement, or administration actions are amended, “retrogression may be necessary” later in the fiscal year (the Fiscal Year ends in September 2026).
That said, March offers one of the most favorable filing windows in recent months across multiple categories.
What This Means for Employers and Applicants
- A high volume of adjustment of status filings is expected in March, especially in EB‑2.
- It is unclear whether this trend will continue into April or whether the filing window may expand further.
- Employers should anticipate increased activity around document collection, medical exams and I‑485 preparation.
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