In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month.
USCIS Adjustment of Status
For adjustment of status filings to permanent residence in the month of April, USCIS will continue using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
Highlights of the April 2026 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of April?
Employment-Based Categories
Final Action Advancements
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India and China will advance one month to April 1, 2023
- All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will advance 10 months to July 15, 2014
- Except China, all other countries (Worldwide, Mexico, Philippines) will become current
*Note, there is an immigrant visa freeze for all countries subject to the 75-country ban on immigrant visa issuance. Lawsuits opposing the freeze are currently pending.
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 China will advance 1.5 months to June 15, 2021
- EB-3 Worldwide and Mexico will advance 8 months to June 1, 2024
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 China will advance 1.8 months to February 1, 2019
EB-4 Special Immigrants and Religious Workers
- All countries will advance 1 year to July 15, 2022
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 China will advance 2 weeks to September 1, 2016
Dates for Filing Advancements
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- Except India, and China, All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will advance 2.5 months to January 15, 2015
- Except China, All other countries will remain current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will advance 5 months to January 15, 2015
- EB-3 Worldwide and Mexico will become current
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance 5 months to January 15, 2015
- EB-3 Worldwide, Mexico, and Philippines will advance 1.3 months to August 1, 2022
Family-Sponsored Categories
Final Action Advancements
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance 1.8 months to February 15, 2007
- F1 Philippines will advance 2 months to May 1, 2013
- F1 All other countries (Worldwide, China, and India) will advance by 5.7 months to May 1, 2017
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Philippines will advance 3.5 months to April 8, 2013
- F2B Except Mexico, All other countries (Worldwide, China, India) will advance 5.6 months to May 22, 2017
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Philippines will advance 4 months to July 1, 2005
- F3 Except Mexico, All other countries (Worldwide, China, India) will advance 3.5 months to December 22, 2011
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Philippines will advance 5 months to February 1, 2007
- F4 Except Mexico and India, All other countries (Worldwide and China) will advance 5 months to June 8, 2008
Dates for Filing Advancements
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance 4.5 months to April 15, 2008
- Except Philippines, All other countries (Worldwide, China, India) will advance 6 months to March 1, 2018
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- All countries will become current
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance 2.9 months to May 15, 2010
- F2B Except Philippines, All other countries (Worldwide, China, India) will advance 4.8 months to August 8, 2017
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Philippines will advance 1.4 months to July 15, 2006
- F3 Except Mexico, All other countries (Worldwide, China, India) will advance November 22, 2012
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Philippines will advance 2.2 months to March 22, 2008
- F4 Except Mexico and India, All other countries (Worldwide and China) will advance 2.5 months to May 15, 2009
Employment-Based Categories
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories in the month of April.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India and China will advance one month to April 1, 2023
- All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will advance 10 months to July 15, 2014
- EB-2 China will remain at September 1, 2021
- All other countries (Worldwide, Mexico, Philippines) will become current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at November 15, 2013
- EB-3 China will advance 1.5 months to June 15, 2021
- EB-3 Philippines will remain at August 1, 2023
- All other countries (Worldwide and Mexico) will advance 8 months to June 1, 2024
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at November 15, 2013
- EB-3 China will advance 1.8 months to February 1, 2019
- All other countries (Worldwide, Mexico, Philippines) will remain at November 1, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants and Religious Workers
- All countries will advance 1 year to July 15, 2022
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will remain at May 1, 2022
- EB-5 China will advance 2 weeks to September 1, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will remain current
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01APR23 | 01APR23 | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 01SEP21 | 15JUL14 | C | C |
| 3rd | 01JUN24 | 15JUN21 | 15NOV13 | 01JUN24 | 01AUG23 |
| Other Workers | 01NOV21 | 01FEB19 | 15NOV13 | 01NOV21 | 01NOV21 |
| 4th | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) |
C | 01SEP16 | 01MAY22 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%, including NR, RR) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%, including NH, RH) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%, including RI) |
C | C | C | C | C |
DATES FOR FILING FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply in April.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India and China will remain at December 1, 2023
- All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will advance 2.5 months to January 15, 2015
- EB-2 China will remain at January 1, 2022
- All other countries will remain current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will advance 5 months to January 15, 2015
- EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2022
- EB-3 Philippines will remain at January 1, 2024
- All other countries (Worldwide and Mexico) will become current
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance 5 months to January 15, 2015
- EB-3 China will remain at October 1, 2019
- All other countries (Worldwide, Mexico, and Philippines) will advance 1.3 months to August 1, 2022
EB-4 Special Immigrants and Religious Workers
- EB-4 will remain at January 1, 2023
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will remain at May 1, 2024
- EB-5 China will remain at October 1, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01DEC23 | 01DEC23 | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 01JAN22 | 15JAN15 | C | C |
| 3rd | C | 01JAN22 | 15JAN15 | C | 01JAN24 |
| Other Workers | 01AUG22 | 01OCT19 | 15JAN15 | 01AUG22 | 01AUG22 |
| 4th | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 01OCT16 | 01MAY24 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Rural: NR, RR – 20%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment: NH, RH – 10%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure: RI – 2%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of April.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance 1.8 months to February 15, 2007
- F1 Philippines will advance 2 months to May 1, 2013
- F1 All other countries (Worldwide, China, and India) will advance by 5.7 months to May 1, 2017
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A Mexico will remain at February 1, 2023
- F2A All other countries will remain at February 1, 2024
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will remain at February 15, 2009
- F2B Philippines will advance 3.5 months to April 8, 2013
- F2B All other countries (Worldwide, China, India) will advance 5.6 months to May 22, 2017
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at May 1, 2001
- F3 Philippines will advance 4 months to July 1, 2005
- F3 All other countries (Worldwide, China, India) will advance 3.5 months to December 22, 2011
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 8, 2001
- F4 Philippines will advance 5 months to February 1, 2007
- F4 India will remain at November 1, 2006
- F4 All other countries (Worldwide and China) will advance 5 months to June 8, 2008
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01MAY17 | 01MAY17 | 01MAY17 | 15FEB07 | 01MAY13 |
| F2A | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB23 | 01FEB24 |
| F2B | 22MAY17 | 22MAY17 | 22MAY17 | 15FEB09 | 08APR13 |
| F3 | 22DEC11 | 22DEC11 | 22DEC11 | 01MAY01 | 01JUL05 |
| F4 | 08JUN08 | 08JUN08 | 01NOV06 | 08APR01 | 01FEB07 |
DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of April.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance 4.5 months to April 15, 2008
- F1 Philippines will remain at April 22, 2015
- All other countries (Worldwide, China, India) will advance 6 months to March 1, 2018
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- All countries will become current
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance 2.9 months to May 15, 2010
- F2B Philippines will remain at October 1, 2013
- F2B All other countries (Worldwide, China, India) will advance 4.8 months to August 8, 2017
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at July 1, 2001
- F3 Philippines will advance 1.4 months to July 15, 2006
- F3 All other countries (Worldwide, China, India) will advance November 22, 2012
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 30, 2001
- F4 Philippines will advance 2.2 months to March 22, 2008
- F4 India will remain at December 15, 2006
- All other countries (Worldwide and China) will advance 2.5 months to May 15, 2009
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01MAR18 | 01MAR18 | 01MAR18 | 15APR08 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 08AUG17 | 08AUG17 | 08AUG17 | 15MAY10 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22NOV12 | 22NOV12 | 22NOV12 | 01JUL01 | 15JUL06 |
| F4 | 15MAY09 | 15MAY09 | 15DEC06 | 30APR01 | 22MAR08 |
Note Addressing Immigrant Visa Availability
The April Visa Bulletin explains that recent forward movement in cutoff dates is due to reduced immigrant visa issuance at U.S. consulates, driven by Trump administration policies such as nationality-based travel bans and pauses in visa processing affecting dozens of countries.
It also warns that if demand increases or restrictions are lifted, some dates could retrogress before the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2026.
Conclusion
The EB-2 Final Action Dates will become current in April for all countries except China and India, and the Dates for Filing for the EB-3 Professional & Skilled Worker category will become current for all countries except China, India, and Philippines.
In the family-sponsored categories, major movement can be seen for most categories. The Dates for Filing for the F2A category spouses and children of permanent residents will become current in April.
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