Each month, the USCIS Visa Bulletin determines who can move forward with their green card process. For applicants from India, China, Mexico, the Philippines, and Rest of the World (ROW), even small changes in priority dates can significantly affect timelines.
In this guide, American Visa Law Group, an immigration law firm in Fremont, California, breaks down:
If your priority date may now be current, contact our office at 510-500-1155 or info@usavisalaw.com for guidance.
For April 2026, USCIS is allowing applicants to use the Dates for Filing chart for both:
This is important because it allows many applicants to file Form I-485 earlier, enabling:
Family-based categories showed steady forward movement across several preference classes compared with March 2026, and strong improvement compared with April 2025.
April 2026 Final Action Dates:
Advanced about six months worldwide.
Advanced approximately 14 months for ROW applicants.
This reflects moderate but consistent forward movement.
April 2026 Final Action Date:
Dates for Filing:
No change in final action dates.
Advanced more than two years, making this one of the fastest-moving family categories recently.
Applicants should consider filing adjustment immediately if eligible.
April 2026 Final Action Dates:
Advanced approximately five months worldwide.
Advanced roughly 10 months overall.
April 2026 Final Action Dates:
Advanced approximately three months.
Movement remains slow but steady.
April 2026 Final Action Dates:
Advanced about five months worldwide.
Compared to April 2025, progress remains gradual but consistent.
Employment-based categories saw meaningful forward movement this month, particularly for India EB-2 and Rest of World EB-3 applicants.
The Department of State noted that reduced demand in some regions allowed advancement across categories, though retrogression later in FY-2026 remains possible.
April 2026 Final Action Dates:
Advanced approximately one month.
Compared to April 2025:
India advanced more than one year overall.
April 2026 Final Action Dates:
India advanced nearly 10 months — one of the largest movements this month.
Compared to April 2025:
India advanced approximately 18 months.
April 2026 Final Action Dates:
ROW advanced nearly eight months.
This represents the strongest forward movement this month.
Congress extended the EB-4 religious worker category through September 30, 2026, ensuring continued eligibility.
Applicants in this category should consider filing promptly before the extension expires.
EB-5 remains:
These remain the fastest EB-5 pathways to permanent residence.
Major yearly changes include:
Strong advancement:
Moderate advancement:
Minimal advancement:
These patterns reflect continued high demand from oversubscribed countries.
Based on current allocation trends:
Likely to continue advancing:
Likely to remain stable:
Possible retrogression later in FY-2026:
The Department of State confirmed retrogression may occur if demand increases later this fiscal year.
This is common in:
Applicants should file as early as possible while Dates for Filing remain available.
If your priority date falls within the Dates for Filing chart, you may now be eligible to:
Even if your case is not current yet, tracking visa bulletin movement monthly is essential.
Visa bulletin movement directly affects:
Our attorneys at American Visa Law Group in Fremont, California monitor visa bulletin developments every month and help clients act quickly when filing windows open.
If your priority date may be current or approaching eligibility:
📞 Call 510-500-1155
📧 Email info@usavisalaw.com
to schedule a consultation.
Here are official government resources to help you track visa bulletin movement and eligibility:
USCIS Visa Bulletin Filing Chart Guidance
https://www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo
Department of State Visa Bulletin (Official Monthly Release)
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html
Check Case Processing Times (USCIS)
https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
Adjustment of Status (Form I-485 Overview)
https://www.uscis.gov/i-485
Employment-Based Immigration Information
https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-employment-based-immigrants
Family-Based Immigration Information
https://www.uscis.gov/family
American Visa Law Group – Contact Page
https://www.usavisalaw.com/contact-us
