The U.S. Department of State has released the March 2026 Visa Bulletin. This bulletin sets immigrant visa availability for March 2026 and outlines movement in both the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates charts across employment based and family based categories.
USCIS has confirmed that, for March 2026, employment based applicants may use the Dates for Filing chart to submit adjustment of status applications. This decision is especially important for EB-2 applicants and creates new filing opportunities for many foreign nationals.
Family Based Categories
For March 2026, USCIS has confirmed that family based applicants should use the Dates for Filing chart.
In the F-1 category, covering unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, both Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates remain unchanged.
In the F-2A category, covering spouses and minor children of permanent residents, Dates for Filing advance one month to February 22, 2026. Final Action Dates remain unchanged.
The F-2B category remains unchanged for all countries in both dates for filing and final action.
In the F-3 category, Dates for Filing for the Philippines advance five months to June 1, 2026. All other countries remain unchanged. Final Action Dates remain unchanged for all countries.
In the F-4 category, Dates for Filing remain unchanged. The Final Action Date for the Philippines advances six weeks to September 1, 2006. All other countries remain unchanged.
Employment Based Categories Overview
The March 2026 Visa Bulletin shows advancement in nearly all employment based categories. The most significant movement appears in the EB-2 Dates for Filing category, particularly for applicants born outside India and China.
EB-1 Category
In the EB-1 category, the Dates for Filing for China and India advance by four months to December 1, 2023. All other countries remain current. For Final Action Dates, China and India advance by one month to March 1, 2023. All other countries continue to be current. This means EB-1 applicants from most countries remain eligible for both filing and approval without delay.
EB-2 Category
The EB-2 category is the highlight of the March 2026 Visa Bulletin. For Dates for Filing, all countries except India and China become current. India advances by 11 months to November 1, 2014. China remains unchanged at January 1, 2022. For Final Action Dates, China remains at September 1, 2021. India advances by two months to September 15, 2013. All other countries advance by six and a half months to October 15, 2024. This means EB-2 applicants worldwide except India and China may file adjustment of status applications in March 2026, regardless of their priority date.
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
In the EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers category, Dates for Filing show mixed movement. China remains at January 1, 2022. India remains at August 15, 2014. The Philippines advances three months to January 1, 2024. All other countries advance three and a half months to January 15, 2024. For Final Action Dates, China remains at May 1, 2021. India remains at November 15, 2013. The Philippines advances two months to August 1, 2023. All other countries advance four months to October 1, 2023.
EB-3 Other Workers
For EB-3 Other Workers, Dates for Filing for China and India remain the same as February 2026. All other countries advance seven months to June 22, 2022. Final Action Dates for China and India also remain unchanged. All other countries advance two months to November 1, 2021.
EB-4 Category
In the EB-4 category, Dates for Filing for all countries advance to January 1, 2023. Final Action Dates for all countries advance by seven and a half months to July 15, 2021. This represents one of the larger movements seen in EB 4 in recent months.
EB-5 Category
For EB-5 Unreserved categories, Dates for Filing show limited movement. China advances five weeks to October 1, 2016. India remains unchanged from February 2026. All other countries remain current. Final Action Dates for EB-5 Unreserved remain unchanged. China stays at August 15, 2016. India remains at May 1, 2022. All other countries continue to be current. EB-5 set aside categories, including Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure, remain current for both filing and final action.
What This Means for You
The March 2026 Visa Bulletin presents a major filing opportunity, especially for EB-2 applicants born outside India and China. USCIS allowing use of the Dates for Filing chart means many applicants can move forward with adjustment of status applications even though Final Action Dates are not yet current.
If you are an Indian born EB-2 applicant, the 11 month advancement in the Dates for Filing chart may allow you to file sooner than expected. Strategic timing now matters more than ever. Always review both charts carefully. The Dates for Filing chart determines when you can file. The Final Action Dates chart determines when your case can be approved. The March 2026 Visa Bulletin reflects steady forward movement across most categories, with EB-2 leading the way. Proper planning and timely filing can make a decisive difference.
As always, Immigration USA actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, we’re with you every step of the way.