The March 2026 Visa Bulletin introduced a major advancement in two employment-based green card categories. The update was issued by the U.S. Department of State and confirmed for filing eligibility by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
EB-2 India moved forward by about 11 months, allowing many applicants with priority dates in 2014 to move closer to filing for adjustment of status.
EB-4 also advanced significantly after months of slow movement. This update provides relief to many Indian professionals waiting in the U.S. employment green card backlog.
Key Takeaways from the March 2026 Visa Bulletin
- EB-2 India saw one of the biggest movements in recent bulletins, advancing by about 11 months.
- EB-4 also made significant progress after a long period of slow progress.
- Many applicants may now qualify to file adjustment of status earlier if their priority date is current.
- USCIS confirmed that applicants can use the Dates for Filing chart for this month.
- Movement like this often happens due to visa number redistribution and demand changes.
- Experts are warning that future retrogression is still possible later in the fiscal year.
March 2026 Visa Bulletin Key Updates
| Category | Country | Movement | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-2 | India | Jumped nearly 11 months | More applicants are eligible to file an I-485 |
| EB-4 | All countries (varies) | Noticeable advancement | Relief for special immigrant categories |
| EB-1 | India & China | Limited movement | Still heavily backlogged |
| Family Categories | Multiple | Minor updates | No major shift |
What the Visa Bulletin Is and Why It Matters for Green Card Applicants
The Visa Bulletin determines when applicants can move forward in the green card process. It is released every month and shows which priority dates are currently eligible for approval or filing.
Two parts of the bulletin are especially important:
Final Action Dates
This date shows when a green card can actually be approved. If your priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff, your case may be finalized.
Dates for Filing
This chart allows applicants to submit an adjustment of status earlier, even if approval will come later. When USCIS allows this chart, it creates an opportunity for many applicants to file Form I-485 sooner.
For applicants from India, this bulletin matters even more because employment-based categories often face long backlogs due to country caps.
Major Change in EB-2 India in the March 2026 Visa Bulletin
The biggest headline from this bulletin is the movement in the EB-2 category for India.
New Cutoff Date
The priority date advanced to around November 2014.
This movement is significant because EB-2 India usually progresses slowly. In some months, it barely moves at all. A jump close to a year suggests that additional visa numbers became available, or that demand temporarily shifted.
Who This Affects
This change primarily helps:
- Professionals with advanced degrees
- Applicants with approved I-140 petitions
- Individuals waiting to file an adjustment of status
- Workers transitioning from H-1B status to permanent residency
For many Indian tech professionals, researchers, engineers, and healthcare specialists, this movement may finally allow them to submit long-delayed paperwork.
EB-4 Category Also Shows Strong Movement
Another notable change appeared in the EB-4 category.
This category includes:
- Religious workers
- Certain broadcasters
- Employees of international organizations
- Some special immigrant classifications
After months of limited progress, the March bulletin pushed EB-4 forward more than expected. While the number of applicants in this category is smaller compared to EB-2 or EB-3, the change still affects many pending cases.
How This Update Impacts Indian Green Card Applicants
The impact depends on your priority date and visa category.
If Your Priority Date Is Now Current
You may be able to:
- File adjustment of status immediately
- Apply for work authorization (EAD)
- Apply for advance parole travel permission
- Move closer to final approval
If Your Date Is Close to the Cutoff
You should prepare documents now because future bulletins may move again. Immigration attorneys often recommend staying ready with:
- Updated employment verification
- Medical exams
- Supporting documents
- Immigration history records
If Your Date Is Still Far Away
This bulletin still matters because it shows momentum in the system. When categories start moving faster, it can indicate broader adjustments in visa allocation.
Why the Visa Bulletin Moved Forward This Month
Several factors likely influenced the movement.
Redistribution of Visa Numbers
Unused family-based visas are sometimes transferred to employment categories. When that happens, employment categories can move faster than expected.
Changing Demand Patterns
If fewer applicants are ready for approval in a specific category, the government may move the cutoff date forward to use available visas.
Fiscal Year Allocation Adjustments
The U.S. government tracks visa usage throughout the fiscal year. If numbers are underused earlier in the year, later bulletins may advance quickly.
However, immigration analysts also warn that rapid forward movement sometimes leads to retrogression later.
February 2026 vs March 2026 Visa Bulletin
A comparison helps explain why this update is getting attention among immigration professionals.
EB-2 India
- February 2026: Much earlier cutoff
- March 2026: Jump forward by nearly a year
EB-4
- February 2026: Limited progress
- March 2026: Noticeable advancement
Other Categories
Some categories moved slightly or remained steady. The biggest relief clearly came for EB-2 India.
What Applicants Should Do Right Now
This is the most important part of the update for many readers.
Step 1: Check Your Priority Date
Look at the priority date on your approved I-140 petition. Compare it with the March 2026 bulletin.
Step 2: Confirm USCIS Filing Chart
Since USCIS is allowing the filing chart this month, many applicants can submit an adjustment of status earlier.
Step 3: Prepare Documents Early
Processing can move quickly when visa numbers are available. Being ready helps avoid delays.
Step 4: Monitor Future Bulletins
The next few months will be important. Movement may continue, slow down, or regress.
What Immigration Experts Are Watching Next?
Immigration analysts are closely tracking upcoming bulletins because large movements often signal one of two things:
- Continued progress due to additional visa availability
- A possible slowdown later in the fiscal year
Historically, employment categories for India tend to fluctuate. A strong forward movement can sometimes be followed by smaller monthly changes.
Still, the March bulletin clearly indicates that visa allocation dynamics are shifting in 2026.
Will the Visa Bulletin Continue to Move Forward in 2026?
Large movements in the visa bulletin often lead to questions about future progress.
Several factors will determine what happens next.
- Visa demand in pending adjustment cases
- Number of approvals issued earlier in the fiscal year
- Spillover from family-based visa allocations
- Government allocation planning
Sometimes, when a category advances quickly, later months may experience slower movement or even retrogression.
This is why many immigration professionals advise applicants to act quickly when their priority date becomes eligible.
Common Questions About the March 2026 Visa Bulletin
1.Has EB-2 India really moved forward significantly?
Yes. The advancement is one of the largest seen in recent visa bulletins.
2.Will the visa bulletin keep moving forward?
It depends on visa demand, approvals, and allocation limits. Future movement is not guaranteed.
3.Does this mean faster green card approval?
Not automatically. It simply allows more applicants to move to the next stage.
4.Can new applicants benefit from this update?
Only if they already have an approved petition and a qualifying priority date.
