The U.S. Department of State released their April 2026 Visa Bulletin with updated final action and filing dates for employment-based and family-based preference cases and visa applications.
These updates show significant advancements for most countries and preference categories.
Recommended actions for employers and HR teams
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Check your dates. Review the filing date changes to see if your employees are now eligible to file their I-485 Adjustment of Status applications.
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Watch for adjustments. The State Department has noted that visa issuance rates have slowed due to recent Presidential Proclamations. Further date changes are possible mid-month.
Employment-based preferences
The Department of State has released the final action and filing dates for employment-based preference cases and visa applications, which include significant advancements for several countries and preference categories. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the Dates for Filing chart may be used for filing Adjustment of Status applications.
Employment-based Preference Levels
- First: Priority Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.
- Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.
- Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to “Other Workers”.
- Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level.
- Fifth: Employment Creation: 7.1% of the worldwide level, of which 32% are reserved as follows: 20% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a rural area; 10% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a high unemployment area; and 2% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in infrastructure projects.
- The remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants.
Filing Dates for Employment-Based Visa Applications
Source: Visa Bulletin for April 2026, U.S. Department of State
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EB-2:
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India advances from 11/1/2014 to 1/15/2015
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EB-3 (Skilled Workers/Professionals):
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Worldwide and Mexico become “current,” meaning that applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date
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India advances from 8/15/2014 to 1/15/2015
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EB-3 (Other Workers):
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Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines advance from 6/22/2022 to 8/1/2022
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India advances from 8/15/2014 to 1/15/2015
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Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases
Source: Visa Bulletin for April 2026, U.S. Department of State
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EB-1:
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China and India advance from 3/1/2023 to 4/1/2023
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EB-2:
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Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines become “current,” meaning numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants
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India advances from 9/15/2013 to 7/15/2014
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EB-3 (Skilled Workers/Professionals):
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Worldwide and Mexico advances from 10/1/2023 to 6/1/2024
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China advances from 5/1/2021 to 6/15/2021
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EB-3 (Other Workers):
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China advances from 12/8/2018 to 2/1/2019
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EB-4:
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Worldwide, China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines advance from 7/15/2021 to 7/15/2022
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Certain Religious Workers:
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Worldwide, China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines advance from 7/15/2021 to 7/15/2022
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EB-5 Unreserved:
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China advances from 8/15/2016 to 9/1/2016
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We are here to help
If you would like assistance assessing how this may affect your immigration matters – including filing strategies, compliance planning, or addressing urgent deadlines – please contact the KLF immigration professional with whom your normally work or call us on our main line at (212) 495-9245 or click here to fill out our contact form.
Disclaimer: This Business Immigration Update is for general information purposes only; it does not constitute legal advice. Actual application of laws and policies may vary based on your specific facts.