EB-3 Dates Move Forward: Good News for Indian Green Card Applicants in April 2026 Visa Bulletin

The April 2026 Visa Bulletin has delivered encouraging news for Indian green card applicants, with both EB-2 and EB-3 priority dates moving forward. This forward movement is significant given India's historically long backlogs in employment-based categories, where wait times can span decades due to per-country caps. For EB-3 applicants specifically, the date advancement means that individuals with earlier priority dates may now be eligible to file for adjustment of status or have their immigrant visa interviews scheduled. Even incremental forward movement in the Visa Bulletin can unlock critical steps in the green card process for thousands of waiting applicants. The EB-3 category covers skilled workers, professionals holding bachelor's degrees, and unskilled workers performing jobs requiring less than two years of training. Indian nationals dominate this backlog due to high demand and numerical limits that apply equally to all countries regardless of application volume. Applicants should verify their priority date against both the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates charts in the April 2026 bulletin, as USCIS determines which chart applies each month. Those whose dates have become current should work with their attorneys promptly to prepare required documentation. This bulletin movement, while positive, does not guarantee sustained forward progress — dates can retrogress in future months if visa demand outpaces supply. EB-3 applicants are advised to monitor the Visa Bulletin monthly and maintain up-to-date petitions to take advantage of any filing windows as they open.