What's Happening?
The U.S. Department of State has released the March 2026 Visa Bulletin, which shows notable advancements in visa availability for most countries and preference categories. The bulletin indicates that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
will continue to accept employment-based adjustment of status filings based on the Dates for Filing Chart. Key movements include advancements in the EB-1 category for China and India, while all EB-2 categories advance except for China. The EB-3 category also sees progress, with the Philippines advancing by two months. However, China and India remain unchanged in this category. The EB-4 and EB-4 Certain Religious Workers categories advance to July 15, 2021, while the EB-5 category shows no movement. The bulletin's advancements are partly attributed to a pause in immigrant visa processing for certain nationalities, and potential policy shifts could lead to retrogression later in the fiscal year.
Why It's Important?
The advancements in the March 2026 Visa Bulletin are significant for individuals and families seeking to adjust their immigration status in the United States. These changes could expedite the process for many applicants, allowing them to file for adjustment of status sooner than anticipated. This development is particularly important for applicants from China and India, who have historically faced longer wait times due to high demand. The ability to file earlier can provide applicants with greater stability and planning certainty. Additionally, the bulletin's changes reflect broader immigration policy trends and the U.S. government's response to global events affecting visa processing. Stakeholders, including immigration attorneys and applicants, must stay informed about these changes to navigate the complex immigration system effectively.
What's Next?
As the March 2026 Visa Bulletin takes effect, applicants eligible under the new dates can begin filing their adjustment of status applications starting March 1, 2026. However, the State Department has cautioned that if the administration's policies change, retrogression may occur later in the fiscal year to align visa issuance with annual limits. This potential for retrogression underscores the importance of timely application submissions. Immigration attorneys and applicants should monitor any policy announcements that could impact visa availability. Additionally, the ongoing pause in immigrant visa processing for certain nationalities may continue to influence future visa bulletin updates.
