April 2026 Visa Bulletin Shows EB-3 Forward Movement; H-1B Deadline Today

The Department of State's April 2026 Visa Bulletin brings notable forward movement for employment-based immigrant visa categories. For EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers, the Dates for Filing chart becomes current for all countries except India, China, and the Philippines. USCIS will accept adjustment of status applications in April based on the Dates for Filing chart, opening earlier filing opportunities for a broader group of applicants. EB-2 Final Action Dates also become current for all countries except India and China, while EB-1 remains current for most countries with limited advancement for those two nations. This continued momentum builds on prior months' progress and represents a meaningful expansion of filing windows for employment-based green card applicants. Employers should act promptly to identify eligible employees who can file adjustment of status applications in April. Preparing filings in advance is critical to taking advantage of the current priority date movement before conditions potentially change in subsequent months. Separately, the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration period closes today, March 19, 2026 at noon ET. Employers must ensure all registrations are fully submitted before the deadline. Selected beneficiaries may begin petition filing on April 1, 2026. A new $100,000 fee may apply in certain cases requiring consular processing rather than change of status approval. Additional updates include DHS actions on Temporary Protected Status for several countries, new documentation requirements for the Diversity Visa Program effective April 10, 2026, and a federal court stay halting the termination of Somalia TPS. Employers with affected TPS workers should verify I-9 documentation remains compliant under the extended employment authorization.