The U.S. Department of State has released the April 2026 Visa Bulletin, outlining updated priority date cut-offs across immigrant visa categories. For employment-based applicants and sponsoring employers, careful review of these updates is essential to determine visa availability and filing eligibility.

As in prior months, applicants must distinguish between the Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing charts when planning adjustment of status or consular processing.

Understanding the Visa Bulletin Charts

The Visa Bulletin provides two separate charts for employment-based categories:

• Final Action Dates (Chart A): These dates indicate when an immigrant visa may be issued. A green card can be approved only if the applicant’s priority date is earlier than the listed cut-off.
• Dates for Filing (Chart B): These dates determine when applicants may submit adjustment of status applications, if authorized by USCIS for that month.

Each month, USCIS confirms whether applicants in the United States may rely on the Dates for Filing chart or must use the Final Action Dates chart.

April 2026 Employment-Based Overview

The April 2026 Visa Bulletin reflects continued demand pressures across employment-based categories, with limited forward movement in certain classifications.

EB-1 Category

The EB-1 category remains current for most countries. However, for oversubscribed countries, the Final Action Date is April 1, 2023, for both India and China, reflecting continued demand and visa usage constraints in this category.

EB-2 Category

The EB-2 category continues to reflect significant backlog, particularly for India and China. As of April 2026, the Final Action Date is July 15, 2014, for India and September 1, 2021, for China, highlighting the extent of retrogression in this category.

EB-3 Category

The EB-3 category shows limited forward movement, with varying availability across countries. For example, the Final Action Date is November 15, 2013, for India and June 15, 2021, for China, while many other countries are more current, with dates such as June 1, 2024.

In certain cases, EB-3 may remain more favorable than EB-2 depending on the applicant’s country of chargeability and priority date.

EB-4 Category

The EB-4 category remains subject to significant backlog, with a Final Action Date of July 15, 2022, across all countries. This category, which includes certain special immigrants such as religious workers, continues to experience limited visa availability due to statutory caps and sustained demand.

EB-5 Category

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor category reflects divergent availability depending on visa classification.

For the unreserved EB-5 category, the Final Action Date is May 1, 2022, for India and September 1, 2016, for China, while remaining current for most other countries.

By contrast, all EB-5 set-aside categories—including rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure—remain current across all countries. These categories benefit from reserved visa allocations under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.

This distinction is significant, as investors participating in set-aside projects, particularly rural investments, may experience more immediate visa availability compared to those in the unreserved category.

Key Considerations for Applicants and Employers

Filing Eligibility

Applicants should first confirm whether USCIS has authorized use of the Dates for Filing chart for April 2026. This determines whether adjustment of status applications may be submitted.

Priority Date Strategy

Given uneven movement across categories, applicants should closely monitor monthly Visa Bulletin updates and evaluate potential strategies based on their priority date and country of chargeability.

Category Selection

In some cases, applicants may consider strategic options such as:

• Interfiling between EB-2 and EB-3 categories
• Coordinating filing timelines with employers
• Monitoring trends before initiating filings

 At U.S. consulates abroad, visa issuance is governed strictly by the Final Action Dates. Applicants should ensure the timely submission of documents to the National Visa Center and monitor interview scheduling at the relevant consulate.

Conclusion

The April 2026 Visa Bulletin underscores continued demand across employment-based categories, with limited forward movement in key classifications. Careful attention to priority dates, chart selection, and filing strategy remains essential for both applicants and employers.

If you are preparing an employment-based green card application or evaluating your eligibility based on current priority dates, contact our office for professional drafting and case preparation services tailored to your immigration strategy.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Immigration laws and requirements change frequently. Consult a qualified attorney for advice tailored to your circumstances.