Visa Bulletin April 2026: What You Need to Know
- Milow LeBlanc
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
The U.S. Department of State has released the April 2026 Visa Bulletin If you're tracking your place in line for an immigrant visa, this month brings meaningful forward movement in several family-based categories and some incremental progress on the employment-based side. Here's a plain-language breakdown of what changed, what didn't, and what it means for you.
Filing Chart Update
For April 2026, USCIS has confirmed that applicants already in the U.S. should use the "Dates for Filing" chart not the "Final Action Dates" chart for both family-based and employment-based categories. If you're preparing to file an adjustment of status application, make sure you're referencing the correct chart.
Family-Based Categories: Strong Forward Movement
Family-based categories showed the strongest momentum this month. Here are the highlights:
F-2A (Spouses & Minor Children of Green Card Holders) — Now "Current" This is the biggest development of the month. F-2A has returned to "current" across all countries, meaning there is no backlog and eligible applicants can move forward immediately. If you've been waiting in this category, now is the time to act.
F-1 (Unmarried Adult Children of U.S. Citizens) — Up to 6 Months Forward Most countries saw a six-month jump, with cut-off dates advancing to March 1, 2018. Mexico moved forward by about 4.5 months. The Philippines held steady with no change.
F-2B (Unmarried Adult Children of Green Card Holders) — 3 to 5 Months Forward Cut-off dates for most countries advanced five months to August 8, 2017. Mexico gained three months. The Philippines saw no movement.
F-3 (Married Children of U.S. Citizens) — Up to 4 Months Forward Most countries advanced four months to November 22, 2012. The Philippines gained about 1.5 months. Mexico remained unchanged.
F-4 (Siblings of U.S. Citizens) — Modest Gains Most countries moved forward roughly 2.5 months. The Philippines advanced two months. India and Mexico saw no change.
Employment-Based Categories: Mostly Steady
The employment-based side was quieter this month, with limited movement overall.
EB-1 (Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researchers, Multinational Managers) No significant changes.
EB-2 (Advanced Degree Holders & Exceptional Ability) Largely unchanged, though India saw a slight advancement.
EB-3 (Skilled Workers & Bachelor's Degree Holders) The standout in this group — India moved forward meaningfully, and most other countries returned to "current." EB-3 Other Workers inched forward as well.
EB-4 (Special Immigrants) & EB-5 (Investors) No changes this month.
Key Reminders
What is a priority date? This is typically the date your green card petition was originally filed. It determines your place in line. If you're unsure of yours, check your receipt notice or consult an immigration attorney.
Why do some countries move slower? High demand from certain countries creates larger backlogs. Cut-off dates for those countries may advance more slowly, and can sometimes move backward (called retrogression).
How long will I wait? There's no exact answer, but tracking your category's movement month over month gives you the best sense of the trend.
Bottom Line
April 2026 is a strong month for family-based applicants, especially those in the F-2A category. Employment-based movement was more restrained, but EB-3 India's progress is a positive signal. If you or someone you know is navigating the green card process, staying current with these monthly updates is one of the best things you can do.
Have questions about how the Visa Bulletin affects your case? Drop them in the comments or reach out, we're here to help make sense of the process.
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