The Visa Bulletin for April 2026 has been released by the U.S. Department of State, outlining the latest priority date movements for family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visas.
The bulletin determines when green card applicants can move forward with their cases based on visa availability. For many applicants around the world, the update provides important insight into when they may be able to file applications or receive final approval.
Key Takeaways
- The April 2026 Visa Bulletin provides updated priority dates for family and employment immigrant visas.
- Visa numbers are limited each year under U.S. immigration law.
- Priority dates determine when applicants may move forward with their green card process.
- Monitoring the Visa Bulletin each month is essential for anyone waiting in the immigration queue.
What Changed in the April 2026 Visa Bulletin?
Key highlights from the official bulletin include:
- Slight advancement in some employment-based categories.
- Continued backlogs for certain countries with high demand.
- Updated family-sponsored visa priority dates.
- Monthly diversity visa cut-off numbers for the fiscal year.
These changes affect both applicants waiting for green cards abroad through consular processing and those applying inside the United States through adjustment of status.
Immigrant Visa Availability and Allocation Procedures
Each month, the Visa Bulletin reports which immigrant visa numbers are available and indicates whether applicants can submit forms for adjustment of status or wait for consular processing. USCIS guides whether to follow the Final Action Dates or the Dates for Filing Applications, depending on visa availability.
For April 2026, the process follows these principles:
- Priority Order: Visas are issued based on the chronological order of petition filing. Spouses and children of principal applicants receive the same priority.
- Numerical Limits: The fiscal year 2026 allows 226,000 family-sponsored visas and at least 140,000 employment-based visas. No country may receive more than 7% of the annual total (about 25,620 visas), with dependent areas capped at 2% (7,320 visas).
- If demand exceeds supply in a category or country, the final action date reflects the first applicant who cannot be accommodated. If necessary, dates may retrogress to stay within the annual limit.
- Affected Countries: High-demand countries currently subject to these rules include China (mainland-born), India, Mexico, and the Philippines.
This framework ensures fair distribution of immigrant visas while staying within statutory and per-country limits.
How To Read the April 2026 Visa Bulletin Charts?
A specific priority date means visas are limited, and only applicants with an earlier priority date may proceed. “C” (Current) means visas are available to all qualified applicants. “U” (Unauthorized) means visas are not available for issuance in that category.
Family-Sponsored Green Card Categories and Priority Dates
Family immigration allows U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor certain relatives.
Overview of Family Immigration Preference Categories
The family preference system includes five categories:
- F1: Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens
- F2A: Spouses and minor children of permanent residents
- F2B: Adult unmarried children of permanent residents
- F3: Married children of U.S. citizens
- F4: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens
Each category receives a limited number of visas every year.
Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Visas
The Final Action Date chart shows when immigrant visas may be issued or when adjustment of status applications may be approved.
For April 2026, the F2A category (spouses and minor children of permanent residents) has special rules:
- F2A visas exempt from the per-country limit are available to applicants from all countries with priority dates before February 1, 2023.
- F2A visas subject to the per-country limit are available to applicants from all countries except Mexico, with priority dates between February 1, 2023, and February 1, 2024.
- F2A visas for applicants from Mexico are fully exempt from the per-country limit.
NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below. Here is the guide on How To Read the Chart
| Family-Sponsored | World-wide | China-mainland born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01 MAY 17 | 01 MAY 17 | 01 MAY 17 | 15 FEB 07 | 01 MAY 13 |
| F2A | 01 FEB 24 | 01 FEB 24 | 01 FEB 24 | 01 FEB 23 | 01 FEB 24 |
| F2B | 22 MAY 17 | 22 MAY 17 | 22 MAY 17 | 15 FEB 09 | 08 APR 13 |
| F3 | 22 DEC 11 | 22 DEC 11 | 22 DEC 11 | 01 MAY 01 | 01 JUL 05 |
| F4 | 08 JUN 08 | 08 JUN 08 | 01 NOV 06 | 08 APR 01 | 01 FEB 07 |
Dates for Filing Family Visa Applications
The Dates for Filing chart allows some applicants to submit documentation earlier than the final approval stage. It indicates when applicants may submit their immigrant visa applications to the National Visa Center (NVC) or USCIS for adjustment of status.
Here is the guide on How To Read the Chart
| Family-Sponsored | World-wide | China-mainland born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01 MAR 18 | 01 MAR 18 | 01 MAR 18 | 15 APR 08 | 22 APR 15 |
| F2A | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 08 AUG 17 | 08 AUG 17 | 08 AUG 17 | 15 MAY 10 | 01 OCT 13 |
| F3 | 22 NOV 12 | 22 NOV 12 | 22 NOV 12 | 01 JUL 01 | 01 JUN 06 |
| F4 | 15 MAR 09 | 15 MAR 09 | 15 DEC 06 | 30 APR 01 | 22 MAR 08 |
Employment-Based Green Card Categories and April 2026 Movement
Employment-based immigration allows U.S. employers to sponsor foreign professionals and workers for permanent residence.
Overview of Employment-Based Immigration Categories
The employment system includes five main categories:
- EB-1: Priority workers such as multinational executives or individuals with extraordinary ability
- EB-2: Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability
- EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers
- EB-4: Certain special immigrants
- EB-5: Immigrant investors
Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Visas
The Final Action Dates chart shows when visas can be officially issued to applicants. Under the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA), the annual allotment of Other Worker visas is reduced by up to 5,000 each year to account for past adjustments under the program.
For Fiscal Year 2026, this reduction affects approximately 150 visas, ensuring compliance with statutory limits while maintaining fairness for all applicants. Here is the guide on How To Read the Chart
| Employment-Based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | C | 01 APR 23 | 01 APR 23 | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 01 SEP 21 | 15 JUL 14 | C | C |
| 3rd | 01 JUN 24 | 01 JUN 21 | 15 NOV 13 | 01 JUN 24 | 01 AUG 23 |
| Other Workers | 01 NOV 21 | 01 FEB 19 | 15 NOV 13 | 01 NOV 21 | 01 NOV 21 |
| 4th | 15 JUL 22 | 15 JUL 22 | 15 JUL 22 | 15 JUL 22 | 15 JUL 22 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 15 JUL 22 | 15 JUL 22 | 15 JUL 22 | 15 JUL 22 | 15 JUL 22 |
| 5th Non- Regional Center (C5 and T5) | C | 01 SEP 16 | 01 MAY 22 | C | C |
| 5th Regional Center (I5 and R5) | C | 01 SEP 16 | 01 MAY 22 | C | C |
Dates for Filing Employment-Based Applications
The filing chart allows applicants with earlier priority dates to submit adjustment of status applications earlier when USCIS permits. Here is the guide on How To Read the Chart
| Employment-Based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | China-mainland born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | C | 01 DEC 23 | 01 DEC 23 | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 01 JAN 22 | 01 JAN 15 | C | C |
| 3rd | C | 01 JAN 22 | 01 JAN 15 | C | 15 JAN 24 |
| Other Workers | 012 AUG 22 | 01 OCT 19 | 15 JAN 15 | 01 AUG 22 | 01 AUG 22 |
| 4th | 01 JAN 23 | 01 JAN 23 | 01 JAN 23 | 01 JAN 23 | 01 JAN 23 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01 JAN 23 | 01 JAN 23 | 01 JAN 23 | 01 JAN 23 | 01 JAN 23 |
| 5th Non- Regional Center (C5 and T5) | C | 01 OCT 16 | 01 MAY 24 | C | C |
| 5th Regional Center (I5 and R5) | C | 01 OCT 16 | 01 MAY 24 | C | C |
Diversity Visa Program Updates for April 2026
The Diversity Visa (DV) program provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year, giving individuals from countries with historically low U.S. admissions an additional opportunity to immigrate.
Adjustments to the Annual DV Limit
- Under the NACARA program, up to 5,000 visas each year are reserved, reducing the DV-2026 total to approximately 54,850.
- The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) FY 2024 further adjusts the program by deducting visas made available under the NDAA from the annual DV allocation, lowering the DV-2026 limit to around 52,000 visas.
Regional Distribution
- DV visas are divided across six geographic regions, ensuring broad representation.
- No single country can receive more than 7% of the total visas in any given year.
Key Takeaway for Applicants
For April 2026, visas in the DV category are available to eligible applicants based on their regional lottery rank numbers, with allocation of cut-off numbers determining eligibility. Only applicants with rank numbers below the specified cut-off in each region are eligible to receive a visa.
| Region | All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Region Listed Separately |
|---|---|
| Africa | 55,000 Except: Algeria : 37,000 Egypt :30,000 |
| Asia | 35,000 Except: Nepal : 10,000 |
| Europe | 20,000 |
| North America (Bahamas) | 50 |
| Oceania | 1,500 |
| South America, and the Caribbean | 3,000 |
The Diversity Immigrant (DV) Category Rank Cut-Offs, Which Will Apply in May
For May 2026, Diversity Visa (DV) numbers are available to eligible DV-2026 applicants from all regions. When a cut-off number is indicated, only applicants with a regional lottery rank number below the specified limit are eligible to receive a visa.
| Region | All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Region Listed Separately |
|---|---|
| Africa | 55,000 Except: Algeria : 37,000 Egypt : 30,000 |
| Asia | 35,000 Except: Nepal : 10,000 |
| Europe | 20,000 |
| North America (Bahamas) | 50 |
| Oceania | 1,500 |
| South America, and the Caribbean | 3,000 |
Availability of Family-Sponsored and Employment-Based Visas
Visa issuance for applicants from certain countries has slowed due to government actions. These measures protect national security, public safety, and U.S. interests. This includes Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998 and other immigrant visa updates.
To ensure visas are used in FY-2026, the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates have been moved forward for several categories. If demand increases or policies change, retrogression may happen later in the fiscal year. The government monitors the situation and adjusts as needed.
U.S. Government Employee Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) FY 2024, signed on December 22, 2023, may affect some current and former U.S. government employees abroad. Eligible surviving spouses and children of deceased employees may also be affected.
This applies to SIVs and adjustment of status under Section 101(a)(27)(D) of the INA. This does not affect certain Iraqi and Afghan applicants applying for SQ and SI SIVs. Applicants should contact the consular section where their Form DS‑1884 was submitted for guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The date when an immigrant petition is filed determines the applicant’s place in line.
All applicants in that category are eligible to proceed.
When cut-off dates move backwards due to high demand.
Monthly, usually a few weeks before the month it covers.
USCIS announces whether to follow Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing each month.
