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United States | April 2026 Visa Bulletin: India advances in EB-2 and EB-3

The U.S. State Department has released the April 2026 Visa Bulletin. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced filings for employment-based visa preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart in the April Bulletin, which shows India advancing in the EB-2 and EB-3 visa categories.

The Dates for Filing chart indicates who is eligible to submit their application and supporting documents for further processing, even if the green card itself is not available. Review BAL’s employer’s guide to reading the Visa Bulletin to better understand this monthly report.

Dates for Filing chart category movement: 

EB-1 visa

  • China EB-1 visa Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of Dec. 1, 2023.
  • India EB-1 visa Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of Dec. 1, 2023.
  • For all other countries under the EB-1 visa category, including Mexico and the Philippines, Dates for Filing remain current.

EB-2 visa

  • China EB-2 visa Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of Jan. 1, 2022.
  • India EB-2 visa Dates for Filing advance two months, with a cutoff date of Jan. 15, 2015.
  • For all other countries under the EB-2 visa category, including Mexico and the Philippines, Dates for Filing remain current.

EB-3 visa

  • China EB-3 visa Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of Jan. 1, 2022.
  • India EB-3 visa Dates for Filing advance five months, with a cutoff date of Jan. 15, 2015.
  • For all other countries under the EB-3 visa category, including Mexico but excluding the Philippines, the Dates for Filing are current. For the Philippines, Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of Jan. 1, 2024.

EB-5 visa (unreserved)

  • China EB-5 visa Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of Oct. 1, 2016.
  • India EB-5 visa Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of May 1, 2024.
  • For all other countries under the EB-5 unreserved visa category, including Mexico and the Philippines, Dates for Filing remain current.

Dates for Filing Chart for Employment-Based Visa Applications

Preference Category All chargeability areas except those listed China – mainland born India Mexico Philippines
EB-1 visa Current Dec. 1, 2023 Dec. 1, 2023 Current Current
EB-2 visa Current Jan. 1, 2022 Jan. 15, 2015 Current Current
EB-3 visa Current Jan. 1, 2022 Jan. 15, 2015 Current Jan. 1, 2024
EB-5 visa (unreserved) Current Oct. 1, 2016 May 1, 2024 Current Current

Additional Information: Final Action Dates for the April Visa Bulletin can be found here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.  

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