The U.S. Department of State’s April 2026 Visa Bulletin continues recent forward movement across employment-based immigrant categories. USCIS has confirmed it will accept employment-based adjustment of status (AOS) applications in April based on the Dates for Filing chart in the April Bulletin. (Full bulletin: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-for-april-2026.html)
What this means for applicants
USCIS will accept AOS filings in April from applicants whose priority date is earlier than the Date for Filing shown for their category and country on the April Dates for Filing chart. Filing earlier may secure a place in line while waiting for a Final Action date to become current for visa issuance or AOS approval.
Key Dates and Movement — Dates for Filing (eligibility to submit AOS)
EB-1: China and India remain at December 1, 2023. All other countries are current.
EB-2: India advances to January 15, 2015 (up ~2.5 months). China remains at January 1, 2022. All other countries are current.
EB-3 (Professionals & Skilled Workers): Most countries (except India, China, Philippines) advance by ~14+ months and become current. India advances to January 15, 2015 (up 5 months). China remains at January 1, 2022. Philippines remains at January 1, 2024.
EB-5 (Unreserved): China remains at October 1, 2016; India remains at May 1, 2024. All other countries are current. EB-5 set-aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) remain current.
Key Dates and Movement — Final Action Dates (eligibility for visa issuance or AOS approval)
EB-1: China and India advance to April 1, 2023 (up 1 month). All other countries are current.
EB-2: India advances to July 15, 2014 (up 10 months). China remains at September 1, 2021. All other countries advance ~18 months and become current.
EB-3 (Professionals & Skilled Workers): China advances to June 15, 2021 (up ~6 weeks). India and Philippines remain at November 15, 2013 and August 1, 2023, respectively. All other countries advance to June 1, 2024 (up ~8 months).
EB-5 (Unreserved): China advances to September 1, 2016 (up ~2 weeks). India remains at May 1, 2022. Other countries remain current. EB-5 set-aside categories remain current.
Practical guidance
If your priority date is earlier than the Dates for Filing cutoff for your category and country, you may file Form I-485 with USCIS in April, even if the Final Action date has not yet become current.
If your priority date is only earlier than the Final Action date, you are immediately eligible for visa issuance or AOS approval (subject to all other eligibility and procedural requirements).
Monitor both charts monthly: Dates for Filing determine when you may submit paperwork; Final Action dates determine when a visa or AOS can be approved.
Where to find the official bulletin
See the Department of State’s full April 2026 Visa Bulletin for the complete charts and notes: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-for-april-2026.html
Category Country Dates for Filing (April 2026) Final Action (April 2026)
EB-1 China Dec 1, 2023 Apr 1, 2023
EB-1 India Dec 1, 2023 Apr 1, 2023
EB-1 All other countries Current Current
EB-2 China Jan 1, 2022 Sep 1, 2021
EB-2 India Jan 15, 2015 Jul 15, 2014
EB-2 All other countries Current Current
EB-3 (Prof & Skilled) China Jan 1, 2022 Jun 15, 2021
EB-3 (Prof & Skilled) India Jan 15, 2015 Nov 15, 2013
EB-3 (Prof & Skilled) Philippines Jan 1, 2024 Aug 1, 2023
EB-3 (Prof & Skilled) All other countries Current Jun 1, 2024
EB-5 (Unreserved) China Oct 1, 2016 Sep 1, 2016
EB-5 (Unreserved) India May 1, 2024 May 1, 2022
EB-5 (Unreserved) All other countries Current Current
EB-5 (Set-aside: Rural/HU/I) All countries Current Current