April 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Filing Window Now Current, 8-Month Advance

The April 2026 Visa Bulletin, released by the Department of State (DOS), delivers meaningful forward movement across both family-based and employment-based immigrant visa categories. The advances are attributed to decreased immigrant visa issuance for nationals of countries affected by Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998, which reduced overall demand and freed up additional visa numbers for redistribution. For EB-3 applicants, the bulletin brings particularly encouraging news. Skilled Workers and Professionals from Worldwide and Mexico chargeability areas advance eight months in the Final Action Dates chart. Critically, both categories also become current in the Dates for Filing chart, meaning eligible applicants can now file adjustment of status applications immediately regardless of their priority date. Employment-based second preference (EB-2) also sees major gains. Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines all become current in the Final Action chart — a significant development for professionals with advanced degrees. India, historically one of the most backlogged countries, advances nearly 10 months in EB-2 Final Action and approximately 2.5 months in Dates for Filing. Other notable movements include EB-1 China and India advancing one month, EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers moving forward a full year across all countries, and EB-3 Other Workers (China) gaining about two months. EB-5 Unreserved (China) shows minor positive movement as well. Despite these advances, DOS explicitly warns that retrogression remains a possibility as the fiscal year progresses. Applicants and practitioners should monitor future bulletins closely and consult with immigration counsel to take advantage of any filing windows that may open before conditions shift.