USCISILW · 3 min read
USCIS Ends Holds & EB-3 April 2026 Visa Bulletin Update: DOL Prevailing Wage Rule Changes
USCIS has ended holds on certain immigration cases while DOL's prevailing wage rule introduces new cost implications for H-1B and employment-based petitions. EB-5 trendlines also show shifting investor immigration patterns in April 2026.
Immigration Daily's April 9 issue highlights several significant developments affecting employment-based immigration applicants. Chief among them is USCIS's decision to end holds on pending cases, a move that could accelerate adjudications for EB-3 and other employment-based preference categories that have been waiting in administrative queues. The Department of Labor's prevailing wage rule has received a new price tag, with updated guidance redefining compensation thresholds for H-1B and PERM labor certification filings. This change directly impacts EB-3 petitioners and their sponsoring employers, as prevailing wage determinations form the foundation of the PERM process required for most EB-3 green card applications. EB-5 investor immigration continues to show evolving trendlines in early 2026, reflecting shifts in regional center activity, investment thresholds, and demand from various source countries. While EB-5 is a separate preference category from EB-3, macroeconomic trends in investor visas often signal broader employment-based immigration policy directions. For EB-3 applicants, the end of USCIS holds is particularly noteworthy, as it may reduce wait times for I-140 approvals and associated adjustment of status filings.