March 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 India Priority Date Advances 11 Months

The March 2026 Visa Bulletin released by the Department of State includes a notable advancement for the EB-2 India category, with the priority date moving forward by approximately 11 months. This represents one of the more significant single-month advancements for Indian nationals in the employment-based second preference category in recent bulletins. For EB-3 applicants tracking the bulletin, movements in EB-2 India carry indirect relevance. Applicants who hold an approved EB-2 petition may consider downgrading to EB-3 if their EB-3 priority date becomes current sooner, a strategy sometimes used when EB-3 dates advance faster. Conversely, rapid EB-2 movement can signal shifts in overall demand from India-born applicants. The employment-based immigration system allocates roughly 140,000 visas annually across all preference categories. India-born applicants face the longest backlogs due to per-country caps, making any forward movement in the bulletin consequential for those waiting years or even decades for visa availability. Applicants should verify whether USCIS has authorized Dates for Filing or Final Action Dates as the operative chart for their category, as this determines whether they can submit adjustment of status applications. Consulting with an immigration attorney is advisable before taking any action based on bulletin changes.