April 2026 Bottom Line

EB-2 Final Action Dates are now CURRENT for all countries except China and India — the first time in years this has happened for Rest of World applicants. If you've been waiting on an approved I-140 with an EB-2 petition for a non-China/non-India country of birth, your wait is effectively over. For April 2026, USCIS will also accept filings under the Dates for Filing chart, providing an earlier filing window for most categories.

What Changed From March to April 2026

The April 2026 Visa Bulletin, released by the U.S. State Department on March 27, 2026, brings the most significant employment-based movement seen in years. Three key changes stand out:

  • EB-2 ROW/All Chargeability goes CURRENT. For applicants born outside of China and India (Rest of World), EB-2 Final Action Dates jumped to CURRENT — meaning there is now zero backlog for visa numbers. Mexico also goes CURRENT under EB-2 this month.
  • EB-1 and EB-3 hold steady or inch forward. EB-1 remains CURRENT for ROW while China and India EB-1 hold at December 1, 2023. EB-3 Skilled/Professional for China advances to May 1, 2020.
  • USCIS is using the Dates for Filing chart. For April 2026, USCIS has confirmed it will accept I-485 filings based on Dates for Filing (not just Final Action Dates), which provides earlier access to adjustment of status for most categories.

For context: EB-2 ROW becoming CURRENT is rare. This reflects both strong visa number availability in FY2026 and lower demand from countries subject to per-country limits. Applicants who have been sitting on approved I-140s should act quickly — this could retrogress later in the fiscal year.

Employment-Based Final Action Dates — April 2026

These are the Final Action Dates (the cutoff to receive a visa or have your I-485 approved). Your priority date must be earlier than the date shown. "CURRENT" means any priority date qualifies.

Category All Chargeability / ROW China (mainland) India Philippines Mexico
EB-1 (Priority Workers) CURRENT Dec 1, 2023 Dec 1, 2023 CURRENT CURRENT
EB-2 (Adv. Degree / NIW) ★ CURRENT Mar 22, 2019 Jul 15, 2014 CURRENT CURRENT
EB-3 Skilled Workers / Professionals CURRENT May 1, 2020 Jan 1, 2012 Jan 1, 2024 CURRENT
EB-3 Other Workers (Unskilled) CURRENT Feb 22, 2017 Jan 1, 2012 Jan 1, 2024 CURRENT
EB-4 (Special Immigrants) CURRENT CURRENT CURRENT Jan 1, 2019 CURRENT
EB-5 Unreserved (C5, T5, I5, R5) CURRENT Jan 1, 2016 Jan 1, 2016 CURRENT CURRENT

★ EB-2 row highlighted — the major April 2026 development. Source: U.S. State Department Visa Bulletin, April 2026 (Vol. 54, No. 07).

EB-2 is now Current for most applicants

If you have an approved EB-2 I-140 and your country of birth is not China or India, you can now file your I-485 (adjustment of status) immediately — or proceed with consular processing. Don't wait: retrogression is possible later in FY2026.

Check EB-2 NIW Eligibility →

Employment-Based Dates for Filing — April 2026

The Dates for Filing chart is used when USCIS determines there are sufficient visa numbers available. For April 2026, USCIS has confirmed it will accept I-485 filings using this chart. Your priority date must be earlier than the date shown.

Category All Chargeability / ROW China (mainland) India Philippines Mexico
EB-1 CURRENT Jan 1, 2024 Jan 1, 2024 CURRENT CURRENT
EB-2 ★ CURRENT Jun 8, 2019 Oct 1, 2012 CURRENT CURRENT
EB-3 Skilled / Professional CURRENT Jun 15, 2021 Jun 1, 2012 Jun 1, 2024 CURRENT
EB-3 Other Workers CURRENT May 1, 2017 Jun 1, 2012 Jun 1, 2024 CURRENT
EB-5 Unreserved CURRENT Apr 1, 2016 Apr 1, 2016 CURRENT CURRENT

Dates for Filing chart — allows early I-485 filing when USCIS approves use of this chart (confirmed for April 2026). Verify on USCIS.gov →

What This Means for You

If You're EB-2, Non-India, Non-China

This is the moment you've been waiting for. Your EB-2 Final Action Date is now CURRENT, meaning visa numbers are immediately available. If you're adjusting status inside the U.S., file Form I-485 now. If you're abroad, you can begin consular processing. Do not delay — this bulletin is valid for April 2026 only, and retrogression is possible in May.

If You're EB-2 India

No change in the fundamental wait — your Final Action Date is July 15, 2014. The Dates for Filing cutoff moved to October 1, 2012. If your priority date is before October 1, 2012, you can file your I-485 this month even though you can't yet receive your green card. This lets you work and travel on pending status while you wait.

If You're EB-2 China

Final Action Date is March 22, 2019 — check if your priority date is before this cutoff. The Dates for Filing chart shows June 8, 2019, meaning you may be able to file I-485 even if your priority date is between March 22 and June 8, 2019.

Affidavit of Support (Family-Based)

For those in family-sponsored categories: the 2026 minimum sponsor income for Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) is $27,050 for a household of 2 (125% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines). This applies to any green card application filed in 2026.

⚠️
Retrogression Warning: The State Department has flagged that retrogression is possible later in FY2026. The Trump administration's travel restrictions have affected visa issuance volume, and demand patterns remain unpredictable. EB-2 could move back from CURRENT in May or June 2026. Act during April if your situation allows.

April 2026 Quick Reference

Bulletin releasedMarch 27, 2026 (State Department)
EB-2 ROW / All ChargeabilityCURRENT (Final Action Dates)
EB-2 India Final ActionJuly 15, 2014
EB-2 India Dates for FilingOctober 1, 2012
EB-2 China Final ActionMarch 22, 2019
USCIS using Dates for Filing?Yes — confirmed for April 2026
Retrogression risk?Yes — State Dept flagged FY2026 risk
I-864 min. income (HH of 2)$27,050 (2026 poverty guidelines)

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — for all chargeability areas (Rest of World) and for Mexico and Philippines. EB-2 Final Action Dates are CURRENT for April 2026. China (mainland born) is March 22, 2019, and India is July 15, 2014. These two countries are subject to per-country limits that continue to create long backlogs.
CURRENT means there is no priority date cutoff — any priority date qualifies. Visa numbers are immediately available for that category and country of birth. If you have an approved I-140 under EB-2 and your country of birth is not China or India, you can file your I-485 or proceed with consular processing right now.
Yes. The State Department has explicitly flagged retrogression risk for FY2026 due to travel restriction policy changes under the Trump administration affecting visa issuance volume. Historically, EB-2 going current in one month does not guarantee it stays current. File as soon as possible during April if you are eligible.
Yes. For April 2026, USCIS has confirmed it will accept I-485 filings using the Dates for Filing chart for both employment-based and family-sponsored categories. This is relevant primarily for Indian and Chinese nationals who may have a Dates for Filing cutoff earlier than their Final Action Date. Always verify the current USCIS announcement at uscis.gov before filing.
EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionals for India: Final Action Date is January 1, 2012. Dates for Filing is June 1, 2012. EB-3 Other Workers (unskilled) for India has the same dates: Final Action January 1, 2012; Dates for Filing June 1, 2012.
Always verify priority dates and USCIS chart selection directly at the official USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Charts page: USCIS.gov Filing Charts →

Sources

Last updated: March 27, 2026 (Bulletin release date). This page reflects data from the official April 2026 Visa Bulletin. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Priority dates change monthly — always verify at travel.state.gov before filing. See our AI Disclaimer.