What changed in the April 2026 bulletin
Of the 50 employment-based cells, 42 match last month; 8 advanced and 0 went backward. The biggest advances: EB-3 for most countries (became current), EB-3 Mexico (became current), EB-3 India (+5 months to 15 Jan 2015) and EB-3 Other Workers India (+5 months to 15 Jan 2015).[1]
Compared with last month, 20 of 25 family-sponsored cut-off dates moved forward, 0 moved back and 5 stayed put. The biggest advances: F2A for most countries (became current), F2A China (became current), F2A India (became current) and F2A Mexico (became current).
| Category | Country | Before | April | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-3 | Rest of world | 15 Jan 2024 | C | ▲ became current |
| EB-3 | Mexico | 15 Jan 2024 | C | ▲ became current |
| F2A | Rest of world | 22 Feb 2026 | C | ▲ became current |
| F2A | China | 22 Feb 2026 | C | ▲ became current |
| F2A | India | 22 Feb 2026 | C | ▲ became current |
| F2A | Mexico | 22 Feb 2026 | C | ▲ became current |
| F2A | Philippines | 22 Feb 2026 | C | ▲ became current |
| F1 | Rest of world | 01 Sep 2017 | 01 Mar 2018 | ▲ 6 months |
| F1 | China | 01 Sep 2017 | 01 Mar 2018 | ▲ 6 months |
| F1 | India | 01 Sep 2017 | 01 Mar 2018 | ▲ 6 months |
April 2026 employment-based dates
Arrows compare each date with March 2026, the month before. EB-2 India advanced 2 months to 15 Jan 2015. Category history: EB-2, EB-3, EB-2 India.
| Category | Rest of world | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C■ | 01 Dec 2023■ | 01 Dec 2023■ | C■ | C■ |
| EB-2 | C■ | 01 Jan 2022■ | 15 Jan 2015▲ advanced 2 months | C■ | C■ |
| EB-3 | C▲ became current | 01 Jan 2022■ | 15 Jan 2015▲ advanced 5 months | C▲ became current | 01 Jan 2024■ |
| EB-3 Other Workers | 01 Aug 2022▲ advanced 40 days | 01 Oct 2019■ | 15 Jan 2015▲ advanced 5 months | 01 Aug 2022▲ advanced 40 days | 01 Aug 2022▲ advanced 40 days |
| EB-4 | 01 Jan 2023■ | 01 Jan 2023■ | 01 Jan 2023■ | 01 Jan 2023■ | 01 Jan 2023■ |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01 Jan 2023■ | 01 Jan 2023■ | 01 Jan 2023■ | 01 Jan 2023■ | 01 Jan 2023■ |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C■ | 01 Oct 2016■ | 01 May 2024■ | C■ | C■ |
The three EB-5 set-aside rows (rural, high unemployment, infrastructure) were current for every country in April 2026.
April 2026 family-sponsored dates
Family dates are compared with March 2026. F2A for most countries was current (became current). 31 cells were current (C). History: F2A; backlog in years: wait-time table.
| Category | Rest of world | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01 Mar 2018▲ advanced 6 months | 01 Mar 2018▲ advanced 6 months | 01 Mar 2018▲ advanced 6 months | 15 Apr 2008▲ advanced 4 months | 22 Apr 2015■ |
| F2A | C▲ became current | C▲ became current | C▲ became current | C▲ became current | C▲ became current |
| F2B | 08 Aug 2017▲ advanced 5 months | 08 Aug 2017▲ advanced 5 months | 08 Aug 2017▲ advanced 5 months | 15 May 2010▲ advanced 3 months | 01 Oct 2013■ |
| F3 | 22 Nov 2012▲ advanced 4 months | 22 Nov 2012▲ advanced 4 months | 22 Nov 2012▲ advanced 4 months | 01 Jul 2001■ | 15 Jul 2006▲ advanced 44 days |
| F4 | 15 May 2009▲ advanced 2 months | 15 May 2009▲ advanced 2 months | 15 Dec 2006■ | 30 Apr 2001■ | 22 Mar 2008▲ advanced 2 months |
Fiscal year 2026 context
April 2026 is in the middle of fiscal year 2026; mid-year bulletins tend to adjust dates as the State Department sees how quickly numbers are being used. Since the October 2025 bulletin on the same chart: EB-2 India from 01 Dec 2013 to 15 Jan 2015; EB-2 China from 01 Dec 2021 to 01 Jan 2022; EB-3 India from 15 Aug 2014 to 15 Jan 2015; EB-3 China unchanged at 01 Jan 2022; EB-2 Rest of world from 15 Jul 2024 to Current; EB-3 Rest of world from 01 Jul 2023 to Current. No category was marked U in April 2026.
USCIS's choice of chart matters as much as the dates: in April 2026 it accepted Dates for Filing for employment-based I-485s.[3] The chart history page lists every month's choice since 2015.
- Previous month: visa bulletin March 2026
- Next month: visa bulletin May 2026
- Check your own date: priority date calculator
Frequently asked questions
Did EB-2 India move in the April 2026 visa bulletin?
Yes. EB-2 India advanced 2 months on the Dates for Filing chart: it read 01 Nov 2014 in March 2026 and 15 Jan 2015 in April 2026.
Which chart did USCIS accept for April 2026?
For employment-based adjustment of status, USCIS accepted Dates for Filing; for family-sponsored cases, Dates for Filing. Applicants whose category is current on the Final Action Dates chart may also file under it.
Was any category unavailable in April 2026?
No. No category or country was marked U in April 2026.
When was the April 2026 visa bulletin in effect?
From April 1 to April 30, 2026. The State Department publishes each bulletin in the middle of the previous month.
Sources
- When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: April 2026
- When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: March 2026
- Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin
- The Visa Bulletin (monthly publication and archive)