India EB-2 and EB-3 Visa Bulletin Movement: February–April 2026 Analysis

The India EB-2 and EB-3 Visa Bulletin dates have shown notable movement between February and April 2026, but immigration experts urge caution in interpreting this progress. February 2026 showed no movement for either category, with EB-2 stalled at July 15, 2013 and EB-3 at November 15, 2013. March brought selective advancement primarily for EB-2, while April 2026 added further gains, pushing the EB-3 Dates for Filing from August 15, 2014 to January 15, 2015—a jump of approximately five months. Former Department of State official Charles Oppenheim has characterized this movement as artificial, attributing it to the current administration's visa processing policy affecting approximately 75 countries. Under this policy, reduced Rest of World demand is freeing up visa numbers that are being redirected toward India and China, creating the appearance of accelerating progress. Oppenheim warns that once this policy is lifted, a significant retrogression—or "boomerang effect"—is likely. The pattern mirrors what occurred during the COVID-19 period, when temporarily elevated employment-based annual limits (reaching 281,000 in FY 2022) led to subsequent retrogression and slowed movement. Applicants who benefited from those temporary gains later faced corrections when normal conditions resumed. For employers and beneficiaries currently in the India EB-2 or EB-3 backlog, short-term filing opportunities may exist for those whose priority dates are now current under the Dates for Filing chart, depending on USCIS chart usage guidance. Practitioners advise acting quickly where eligibility arises, as these windows may be narrow. Long-term planning should not rely on this movement continuing. Employers are cautioned against making workforce retention decisions based solely on recent bulletin advancement. The underlying demand from India has not decreased, and affected applicants will return to the front of the visa queue with early priority dates once the 75-country policy changes, potentially triggering severe corrective retrogression.