March 2026 Visa Bulletin | Massive Jumps in Priority Dates

The U.S. Department of State released the USCIS Visa Bulletin, March 2026, on February 4, 2026, and it brings some of the best news we have seen in months. If you have been waiting for your priority date to become current, this might be your month.​

In a rare and exciting trend, 52 categories advanced this month, and zero categories retrogressed. This massive forward movement is largely driven by Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998, which temporarily paused immigrant visa processing for several countries. Because fewer visas are being issued at consulates abroad, a surplus of visa numbers has become available for applicants already inside the U.S. waiting to adjust their status.

Even better, USCIS has confirmed that all family-sponsored and employment-based applicants must use the more generous “Dates for Filing” chart for March 2026.

The State Department is intentionally advancing dates to ensure these extra visa numbers are used before the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2026. However, be aware that if application demand surges, we could see dates retrogress (move backward) later in the year.

Here, we will explain what has changed in the latest US visa bulletin and what you need to do next to act before this window closes.

The Biggest Winners in March 2026

While the full charts are available on the State Department website, the most significant forward movement this month happened in the employment-based categories.​

Here are the major highlights for March 2026:

• EB-2 (Rest of World): The biggest winner this month leaped forward by an astonishing 6.5 months to October 15, 2024.​

• EB-3 (Rest of World): Advanced 4 months to October 1, 2023.​

• F4 (Philippines): While most family categories remained completely flat, this category advanced roughly six weeks to September 1, 2006.​

• Religious Workers (SR) Program Restored: After temporarily expiring in January, President Trump signed H.R. 7148 into law on February 3, 2026, extending the program through September 30, 2026. The SR category now shares the standard EB-4 final action date of July 15, 2021.​

• EB-5 “Set-Aside” Categories: Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure categories remain fully “Current” for all countries.​

Note: Applicants from India and China saw minor, slow forward movement in the employment categories due to strict per-country limits, while the F2A category remains the strongest family-based option overall.

How to Read These Updates

Your Priority Date: Think of this as your “ticket number” in the immigration line. It is usually the exact day your family member or employer first filed your petition with USCIS.

The Dates in the Table: These are the “now serving” dates. If your priority date is before the date listed in the table below, it is your turn! Your green card is ready to be approved.

“Current” (C): If you see “Current” in your category, congratulations! It means there is no waiting line at all, and you can move forward with your application immediately.

Employment-Based Green Cards: Who Can Apply?

These are the official Final Action Dates for March 2026. If your priority date is older than the date shown, your visa is ready.

Family-Sponsored Green Cards: Who Can Apply?

Final Action Dates for March 2026:-

Final Action Dates Vs. Dates for Filing: Which Chart Matters?

Every month, the State Department publishes two different charts: the Final Action Dates chart and the Dates for Filing chart.

The Final Action chart tells you when a green card is actually available to be approved and printed. The Dates for Filing chart dictates when you can physically submit your Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) application to USCIS, even if your green card isn’t ready to be issued yet.

For March 2026, USCIS has officially announced that all applicants—for both family and employment-based categories—must use the Dates for Filing chart. This is fantastic news because the Dates for Filing chart is historically much further ahead, allowing more people to get their applications in the queue and secure their work permits (EADs) faster.

What Should You Do If Your Priority Date Is Now Current?

If your priority date is finally current on the March 2026 charts, you need to move fast. Your exact next steps depend entirely on where you live right now.

If in the U.S.

Applicants living inside the United States can immediately file Form I-485 to adjust their status. Don’t send a bare-bones application. You need to include your sealed I-693 medical exam, tax records, birth and marriage certificates, and updated employer letters.

If abroad:

If you are living outside the U.S., the process goes through consular processing. You need to wait for the National Visa Center (NVC) to schedule your interview at a local embassy or consulate. Keep in mind that the current presidential proclamations might delay interview scheduling depending on your region.​

If I-485 already filed: 

Use this time to verify that USCIS has your current mailing address on file. You should also double-check whether your medical exam is still valid, as you might receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) to submit a new one before they can approve your green card.

What to Expect in April 2026?

Looking ahead to April, we can likely expect continued forward movement. As long as the current presidential proclamations limit consular visa processing abroad, the surplus of visa numbers will continue to benefit applicants adjusting their status inside the U.S.​

However, the State Department has explicitly warned that a retrogression (dates moving backward) could happen later in the fiscal year. If thousands of people rush to file their I-485s in March, the available visa supply will drain quickly, forcing the government to hit the brakes.

Wrapping Up

Tracking the rapid priority date movements in the March 2026 USCIS visa bulletin can be overwhelming, but you do not need to do it on your own. Whether you are seeking family-based immigration or employer-sponsored green cards, there is nothing more important than acting quickly when dates are current. At The Law Office of Abhisha Parikh, we work tirelessly to guide you through the latest US visa bulletin and file your applications successfully. Get in touch with our immigration lawyer now to lock in your future before these advantageous filing windows potentially close.