March 2026 Visa Bulletin: Analysis & Predictions Including EB-2 Priority Date India

VisaNation’s legal team provides monthly updates on the latest visa bulletin, analyzes movements in filing and final action dates, and predicts upcoming months to help answer these questions. This month, we’ll go over the March 2026 visa bulletin.

For more information on how to read the bulletin, scroll to the bottom of the post or view the Table of Contents.

March 2026 Visa Bulletin: Overview and Predictions

The March 2026 Visa Bulletin introduces meaningful forward movement across several employment-based categories, particularly EB-2 and EB-3 worldwide and EB-3 India. At the same time, it sends subtle warning signals that retrogression later in FY 2026 remains possible.

Below is a detailed breakdown of what changed between the February and March 2026 bulletins and what it likely means for the remainder of the fiscal year.

EB-1: China and India Inch Forward

EB-1 China and India final action dates both moved forward one month to 01 March 2023. Overall, EB-1 remains stable worldwide. China and India advanced by one month, a modest but consistent progression. This suggests:

• Demand remains high but controlled.
• Visa usage is steady but not surging.
• The Department of State is managing the category conservatively.

Prediction

They will likely continue slow forward movement of one to two months at a time through late spring. However, if demand spikes, we could see a pause by early summer to preserve annual limits.

EB-2: The Most Notable Movement

• EB-2 worldwide final action dates jumped 6.5 months to 15 Oct 2024
• EB-2 India final action dates jumped 2 months
• No change for China

Key Observations

1. Worldwide EB-2 saw a significant advancement – A jump from April 2024 to October 2024 is substantial. This indicates lower-than-expected demand or redistribution of unused numbers.
2.  India moved modestly – A two-month advancement reflects controlled allocation but continued backlogs.
3. China remains static – No movement suggests demand is steady and likely near annual caps.

Why the Big Worldwide Jump?

The March bulletin includes a critical note: immigrant visa issuance rates from certain countries have decreased due to administration actions, and dates were advanced to allow unused numbers to be allocated elsewhere. This is a strong indicator that:

• Reduced issuance in certain regions is freeing up numbers.
• DOS is reallocating aggressively to avoid visa waste.
• Movement may not be entirely demand-driven but allocation-driven.

Prediction

• EB-2 Worldwide may see additional modest advancement in April or May.
• However, retrogression later in the fiscal year is possible if adjustment filings surge.
• EB-2 India will likely continue incremental two-month movements unless demand spikes from EB-3 downgrade upgrades.

EB-3: Broad Advancement, Especially Worldwide

• EB-3 Worldwide Final Action dates progressed 4 months to 01OCT23
• EB-3 India Final Action dates held steady at 15NOV13 (no movement)
• EB-3 China Final Action dates held steady at 01MAY21 (no movement)
• EB-3 Philippines Final Action dates progressed 2 months to 01AUG23

Analysis

• Worldwide EB-3 advanced four months, a meaningful shift.
• India and China did not move, confirming persistent oversubscription.
• The Philippines saw forward movement, reflecting improving allocation flexibility.

The EB-3 Worldwide jump aligns with the broader theme of DOS advancing categories to utilize numbers more efficiently.

Prediction

• EB-3 Worldwide may continue forward movement into early summer.
• EB-3 India likely remains stagnant for the near term.
• Watch for potential retrogression in Q4 if demand surges from new filings.

Filing Dates: A Subtle But Important Signal

In March, the EB-2 Filing Date Worldwide jumped 492 days to become Current. This is significant because:

March’s bulletin explicitly references decreased immigrant visa issuance rates due to administration actions and national security measures. This matters because:

• Lower consular issuance abroad can free up numbers for adjustment applicants inside the U.S.
• If consular processing resumes at higher rates, advancement may slow.
• The allocation strategy is now highly responsive to real-time issuance patterns.

This dynamic did not appear in February’s bulletin in the same way, making March’s language especially notable.

Strategic Takeaways for Employers and Applicants

1. If eligible under EB-2 or EB-3 Worldwide, act quickly. The advancement window may not remain open.
2. EB-1 remains stable but slow for India and China.
3. EB-2 India is moving gradually but remains deeply backlogged.
4. Retrogression risk increases in Q3 and Q4 of FY 2026.
5. Adjustment filings may surge in response to March’s forward movement, potentially triggering corrections later.

Forecast for the Remainder of FY 2026

Based on the February and March bulletins:

• Expect continued advancement in EB-2 and EB-3 Worldwide through late spring.
• India categories will move slowly and cautiously.
• China likely remains static in EB-2 and EB-3 for several months.
• Retrogression is a real possibility by July or August if demand spikes.

The March bulletin reflects proactive allocation management rather than organic demand relief.

Final insight

The March 2026 Visa Bulletin is not just about date movement. It reflects a shift in allocation strategy driven by reduced issuance in certain regions and aggressive rebalancing of numbers.

The forward movement is real. The window is open. But it is not guaranteed to stay that way. Employers and applicants who qualify under the newly advanced dates should evaluate filing strategies immediately, because history tells us that rapid advancement is often followed by mid- year correction.

Adjustment of Status (AOS) Filing Guidance

For Adjustment of Status (AOS) filings, USCIS has confirmed:

• Employment-based categories:  You must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for March 2026.
• Family-sponsored categories: You must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for March 2026.

Final Action vs. Filing Dates:

It’s important to differentiate between the final action dates (when a visa can be issued) and the filing dates (when an application can be submitted). This will help applicants understand their current status and next steps.

The Final Action Dates chart determines when an I-485 adjustment of status application can be approved (adjudicated) and your green card issued, while the Dates for Filing Chart determines when you can submit your I-485 Adjustment of Status application.

Here is why this distinction is critical for our clients:

For individuals with a pending Adjustment of Status (AOS) application, we stress that their priority date must be current under the Final Action Chart for their green card to be approved.

This is also where advanced strategies like interfiling, a process that allows AOS applicants to change their preference category, become a key topic. Interfiling is a process our attorneys use to move a client’s pending AOS application from one preference category to a more favorable one (e.g., from EB-3 to EB-2) to take advantage of a more current Final Action Date. This is a complex legal decision, and we recommend contacting VisaNation Law Group to determine if it is the right strategy for your specific case.

As the fiscal year progresses, demand fluctuations and potential “retrogressions” remain possible. Our firm doesn’t just monitor these trends; we actively analyze them to provide projections as new information becomes available. We encourage all applicants to stay informed and prepared for potential adjustments in the coming months.

Family-Based Green Cards

The category for family-based immigration comprises four preference levels based on who your sponsoring family member is in relation to you. They include:

• F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.
• F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
• F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation.
• F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
• F4: Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

There are five chargeability areas for this category: China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, and all other countries. Your country of chargeability is where you were born.

Family-Based Dates for Filing Charts

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the filing date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Key Takeaways

• F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): Advanced exactly 1 month across all chargeability areas
• F3 (Married Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens): Advanced 4 months for the Philippines.
• F1, F2B, and F4: Zero movement across all chargeability areas.

Family-Based Final Action Dates Chart

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the final action date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Takeaways

• F4 (Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens): Advanced 1 month and 10 days for the Philippines.

Employment-Based Green Cards

With five different preference levels and seven chargeability areas, USCIS issues employment-based category visas through your job or occupation. The chargeability areas are China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador), Vietnam, and the general category.

Employment-Based Dates: Final Action Dates

Key changes

• EB-1 (Priority Workers): Advanced 1 month for both China and India.

• EB-2 (Advanced Degrees/Exceptional Ability): Advanced 6.5 months for Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines, and 2 months for India.

• EB-3 (Skilled Workers/Professionals): Advanced 4 months for Worldwide and Mexico, and 2 months for the Philippines.

• Other Workers: Advanced 2 months for Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines.

• EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants): Advanced 6.5 months across all chargeability areas.

Employment-Based Dates for Filing Chart

Importantly, for employment-based categories, adjustment of status applicants can use the Filing Dates chart.

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the final action date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Key changes

• EB-1 (Priority Workers): Advanced 4 months for both China and India.

• EB-2 (Advanced Degrees/Exceptional Ability): Jumped 11 months for India. Shifted to “Current” for Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines.

• EB-3 (Skilled Workers/Professionals): Advanced 3.5 months for Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines.

• Other Workers: Advanced 6 months and 21 days for Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines.

• EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants): Advanced 1 year and 9.5 months across all chargeability areas.

• EB-5 Unreserved: Advanced 1 month and 9 days for China.

Important March 2026 Visa Bulletin Dates

For those new to the green card process, our law firm recommends learning a few terms and dates to understand the rest of this visa bulletin report. If you have further questions about the process or anything else about your green card, you should consult with your immigration attorney.

Priority Dates

Each person who files a petition with the USCIS receives a priority date when the government obtains their petition. A priority date establishes a person’s place in line to get an immigrant visa. Keep this date handy, since you will need it to compare with the dates in this bulletin. Remember that your priority date does not move, and you cannot change it except under certain circumstances.

Note: Priority dates are not relevant for immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens (e.g., spouses or minor children) as that category is always current.

Final Action Dates

Final action dates are based on the green card category and the chargeability area – your country of origin. Therefore, the final action dates constantly change based on how many people from each chargeability area have petitioned for that green card.

If green cards are still available, the final action date will likely move closer to your priority date. If green cards are unavailable, you will not see any movement from that final action date. However, if the limit has passed, you may see the date retrogress or move backward from your priority date.

Once the final action date in your green card preference level and chargeability area reaches your priority date, your priority date will be considered current. Once current, you will adjust your status or go through consular processing.

Date for Filing Charts and I-485

You’ll notice there are two charts for each category.

1. The Date for Filing chart determines whether or not one can submit the final immigrant visa application.
2. The Final Action Date chart indicates whether an immigrant visa number will be available.

USCIS announces which chart applicants can use within a week of the visa bulletin’s release.

Can You Shorten Your Waiting Time?

The short answer is: probably not. However, there are two prominent cases in which you may be able to shorten your green card processing time, which we will explain here.

1. The first way is to file an I-140 for a green card category that has a current priority date. In this case, your green card can begin processing immediately, and you can even pay an additional fee for premium processing, which will shorten the processing time to 15 business days. However, this is only available for certain green cards that use the I-140.
2. The second situation involves green card “porting,” or transferring your application from a lower preference level (EB-3) to a higher one (EB-2) to take advantage of the shorter waiting times. This is misleading because you don’t port your green card. In reality, you need to start with a new petition (and a new PERM if necessary). The “porting” aspect only comes in when you indicate that you want to retain your original priority date.

As attractive as “porting” might seem, it is a delicate process with particular requirements. Therefore, we recommend running complex decisions like this through your immigration attorney.

Staying Up-to-Date

In the world of immigration law, it always pays to be informed. The more you know about your green card, the easier it will be to make informed decisions about your case. To stay in the know about things like the newest visa bulletin, follow the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin.