April 2026 Visa Bulletin Released: Major Green Card Advances for Most Countries – EB-2 & EB-3 Dates Open Wide (USCIS Accepts Dates for Filing Chart)

April 2026 Visa Bulletin Released: Major EB-2 & EB-3 advances for most countries.

The U.S. Department of State published the April 2026 Visa Bulletin this week, delivering some of the strongest forward movement seen in recent months across employment-based immigrant visa categories. In a notable shift, EB-2 Final Action Dates have advanced to "current" for most countries, with China and India being the only exceptions. Meanwhile, EB-3 Dates for Filing for professional and skilled workers are now fully open to all nationals except those from China, India, and the Philippines.

USCIS confirmed on its Visa Bulletin page that April adjustment of status (Form I-485) filings will continue to follow the Dates for Filing chart — meaning eligible applicants can submit green card applications if their priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff, even if the Final Action Date hasn't been reached yet.

This bulletin offers real filing opportunities for thousands of skilled workers, especially those from countries with historically long backlogs. Below is the full breakdown, key changes, and what it means for applicants and employers.

Why the Big Advances? State Department Explains

The Department attributes the broad forward movement to lower-than-expected consular immigrant visa issuance in recent months. Factors include:

• Ongoing effects of the Trump administration’s nationality-based travel restrictions (affecting nationals of nearly 40 countries)

• The immigrant visa processing pause impacting applicants from 75 countries

However, the bulletin includes a clear warning: If demand surges or visa issuance policies change, retrogression (backward movement of cutoff dates) could return later in FY2026 (ending September 30, 2026).

Dates for Filing Chart – April 2026 (When You Can File I-485)

These dates determine eligibility to submit an adjustment of status application to USCIS this month.

Category	China	India	Philippines	All Other Countries
EB-1	Dec 1, 2023	Dec 1, 2023	—	Current
EB-2	Jan 1, 2022	Jan 15, 2015	—	Current
EB-3 Professionals & Skilled	Jan 1, 2022	Jan 15, 2015	Jan 1, 2024	Current (huge advance)
EB-3 Other Workers	Oct 1, 2019	Jan 15, 2015	—	Aug 1, 2022
EB-4	—	—	—	Jan 1, 2023
EB-5 Unreserved	Oct 1, 2016	May 1, 2024	—	Current
EB-5 Set-Asides (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure)	Current	Current	Current	Current

Biggest winners this month:

• EB-3 categories for professionals and skilled workers are now current for all countries except China, India, and the Philippines—a leap forward of more than 14 months for most applicants

• EB-2 remains current for everyone except China and India (India advances 2.5 months).

Final Action Dates – April 2026 (When USCIS Can Approve & Issue Green Cards)

These are the dates when USCIS can actually approve adjustment applications or when consular posts can issue immigrant visas.

Category	China	India	Philippines	All Other Countries
EB-1	Apr 1, 2023	Apr 1, 2023	—	Current
EB-2	Sep 1, 2021	Jul 15, 2014	—	Current (advances 1.5 years)
EB-3 Professionals & Skilled	Jun 15, 2021	Nov 15, 2013	Aug 1, 2023	Jun 1, 2024 (advances 8 months)
EB-3 Other Workers	Feb 1, 2019	Nov 15, 2013	—	Nov 1, 2021
EB-4	—	—	—	Jul 15, 2022
EB-5 Unreserved	Sep 1, 2016	May 1, 2022	—	Current
EB-5 Set-Asides	Current	Current	Current	Current

Notable movements:

• EB-2 for all countries except China and India becomes current — a major leap forward.

• EB-1 China and India advance one month to April 1, 2023.

• EB-3 Professionals & Skilled Workers sees China move forward slightly, while India and Philippines stay static.

What This Means for Applicants & Employers

• If your priority date is current or earlier than the Dates for Filing: File your I-485 adjustment of status application now — USCIS is accepting under the filing chart.

• EB-2 & EB-3 applicants from most countries—excluding China, India, and in some cases the Philippines—are seeing major progress as backlogs ease.

• China & India still face long waits: Despite some advances, backlogs remain substantial — especially for EB-2 and EB-3.

• Retrogression risk: The State Department explicitly cautions that dates could move backward if visa demand increases or processing policies shift.

Next Steps for Green Card Seekers

1. Check your priority date on your I-140 approval notice or USCIS case status.

2. Compare it against the April 2026 Dates for Filing chart above.

3. If eligible → prepare and file Form I-485 with supporting documents.

4. Monitor monthly bulletins — retrogression is always possible.

Need more U.S. green card guides, priority date trackers, and visa bulletin alerts? Explore our complete collection here: USA Visa & Immigration Updates

The April 2026 bulletin gives real hope and filing windows for many employment-based applicants — especially outside the traditional backlog countries. If your date is current, act quickly before any potential retrogression.