Visa Lawyer Blog
We are pleased to report that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has published the March 2026 Visa Bulletin.
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 March, USCIS will continue using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
Highlights of the March 2026 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of March?
Employment-Based Categories
Final Action Advancements
- EB-1 India and China will advance one month to March 1, 2023
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will advance 2 months to September 15, 2013
- EB-2 Except China, all other countries will advance 6.5 months to October 15, 2024
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 Philippines will advance 2 months to August 1, 2023
- EB-3 Mexico and Worldwide will advance 4 months to October 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 Mexico, Philippines, and Worldwide will advance 2 months to November 1, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants
- All countries will advance 6.4 months to July 15, 2021
EB-4 Religious Workers
- Now available July 15, 2021
Dates for Filing Advancements
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India and China will advance 4 months to December 1, 2023
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will advance 11 months to November 1, 2014
- EB-2 Except China, all other countries will be current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 Philippines will advance 2 months to August 1, 2023
- EB-3 Mexico and Worldwide will advance 4 months to October 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 Mexico, Philippines, Worldwide will advance 2 months to November 1, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants
- All countries will advance 6.4 months to July 15, 2021
EB-4 Religious Workers
- Now available, January 1, 2023
Family-Sponsored Categories
Final Action Advancements
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Philippines will advance 1.3 months to September 1, 2006
Dates for Filing Advancements
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- All countries will advance by 1 month to February 22, 2026
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Philippines will advance 3.9 months to June 1, 2006
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 March.
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 March 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 months to September 15, 2013
- EB-2 China will remain at September 1, 2021
- All other countries will advance 6.5 months to October 15, 2024
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at November 15, 2013
- EB-3 China will remain at May 1, 2021
- EB-3 Philippines will advance 2 months to August 1, 2023
- All other countries will advance 4 months to October 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at November 15, 2013
- EB-3 China will remain at December 8, 2018
- All other countries will advance 2 months to November 1, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants
- All countries will advance 6.4 months to July 15, 2021
EB-4 Religious Workers
- Now available July 15, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will remain at May 1, 2022
- EB-5 China will remain at August 15, 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 | 01MAR23 | 01MAR23 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15OCT24 | 01SEP21 | 15SEP13 | 15OCT24 | 15OCT24 |
| 3rd | 01OCT23 | 01MAY21 | 15NOV13 | 01OCT23 | 01AUG23 |
| Other Workers | 01NOV21 | 08DEC18 | 15NOV13 | 01NOV21 | 01NOV21 |
| 4th | 15JUL21 | 15JUL21 | 15JUL21 | 15JUL21 | 15JUL21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 15JUL21 | 15JUL21 | 15JUL21 | 15JUL21 | 15JUL21 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) |
C | 15AUG16 | 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 March.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India and China will advance 4 months to 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 11 months to November 1, 2014
- EB-2 China will remain at January 1, 2022
- All other countries will be current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at August 15, 2014
- EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2022
- All other countries will advance 3.5 months to January 15, 2024
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at August 15, 2014
- EB-3 China will remain at October 1, 2019
- All other countries will advance 6.7 months to June 22, 2022
EB-4 Special Immigrants
- EB-4 will advance 1 year and 9 months to January 1, 2023
EB-4 Religious Workers
- Now available, 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 advance 1 month to 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 | 01NOV14 | C | C |
| 3rd | 15JAN24 | 01JAN22 | 15AUG14 | 15JAN24 | 01JAN24 |
| Other Workers | 22JUN22 | 01OCT19 | 15AUG14 | 22JUN22 | 22JUN22 |
| 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 March.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will remain at December 22, 2006
- F1 Philippines will remain at March 1, 2013
- F1 All other countries will remain at November 8, 2016
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 remain at December 22, 2012
- F2B All other countries will remain at December 1, 2016
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at May 1, 2001
- F3 Philippines will remain at March 1, 2005
- F3 All other countries will remain at September 8, 2011
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 8, 2001
- F4 Philippines will advance 1.3 months to September 1, 2006
- F4 India will remain at November 1, 2006
- F4 All other countries will remain at January 8, 2008
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | 22DEC06 | 01MAR13 |
| F2A | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB23 | 01FEB24 |
| F2B | 01DEC16 | 01DEC16 | 01DEC16 | 15FEB09 | 22DEC12 |
| F3 | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | 01MAY01 | 01MAR05 |
| F4 | 08JAN08 | 08JAN08 | 01NOV06 | 08APR01 | 01SEP06 |
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 March.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will remain at December 1, 2007
- F1 Philippines will remain at April 22, 2015
- All other countries will remain at September 1, 2017
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- All countries will advance by 1 month to February 22, 2026
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will remain at February 15, 2010
- F2B Philippines will remain at October 1, 2013
- F2B All other countries will remain at March 15, 2017
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at July 1, 2001
- F3 Philippines will advance 3.9 months to June 1, 2006
- F3 All other countries will remain at July 22, 2012
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 30, 2001
- F4 Philippines will remain at January 15, 2008
- F4 India will remain at December 15, 2006
- All other countries will remain at March 1, 2009
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01DEC07 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 22FEB26 | 22FEB26 | 22FEB26 | 22FEB26 | 22FEB26 |
| F2B | 15MAR17 | 15MAR17 | 15MAR17 | 15FEB10 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 01JUL01 | 01JUN06 |
| F4 | 01MAR09 | 01MAR09 | 15DEC06 | 30APR01 | 15JAN08 |
Conclusion
The State Department’s March Visa Bulletin reports forward movement in nearly all employment-based immigrant visa categories, with particularly significant progress in the EB-2 Dates for Filing category for all countries except China.
Notably, in the EB-2 Final Action Dates except China and India, all countries will advance 6.5 months to October 15, 2024. India advances only 2 months to September 15, 2013.
Additionally, the EB-4 category for religious workers is now available with a cutoff date of July 15, 2021, in the Final Action chart and January 1, 2023, in the Dates for Filing chart.
In the family-sponsored categories, the F4 Philippines final action date advances 1.3 months to September 1, 2006. In the Dates for Filing chart, F2A advances 1 month to February 22, 2026, and F3 Philippines advances 3.9 months to June 1, 2006. No other forward movements took place.
USCIS has confirmed on its Visa Bulletin webpage that it will accept employment-based and family-sponsored adjustment of status applications using the March Dates for Filing chart.
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