Quick Summary: What You Need to Know
The U.S. Department of State has released the March 2026 Visa Bulletin. USCIS has confirmed that the Dates for Filing chart may be used this month for adjustment of status applications — meaning eligible applicants can file Form I-485 earlier than the Final Action Date, locking in work authorization (EAD) and travel documents (Advance Parole). Here is what matters most for applicants born in India, China, and other countries.
CURRENT — File Now (No Wait)
- EB-1: Current for all countries except India & China
- EB-2 (Dates for Filing): Current for all countries except India & China
- EB-5 Set-Aside — Rural, High Unemployment & Infrastructure: CURRENT for ALL countries including India & China
- F2A (Spouses & children of LPRs): CURRENT for all countries
India & China — Active Final Action Dates
- India EB-1: March 1, 2023
- India EB-2: September 15, 2013
- India EB-3: November 15, 2013
- China EB-1: March 1, 2023
- China EB-2: September 1, 2021
- China EB-3: May 1, 2021
Who Should Contact Ahluwalia Law Offices Now
Final Action Dates — Green Card Ready to Issue
- India EB-1: Priority date before March 1, 2023
- India EB-2: Priority date before September 15, 2013
- India EB-3: Priority date before November 15, 2013
- China EB-1: Priority date before March 1, 2023
- China EB-2: Priority date before September 1, 2021
- China EB-3: Priority date before May 1, 2021
- All other countries, EB-2: Priority date before October 15, 2024
- All other countries, EB-3: Priority date before October 1, 2023
Dates for Filing — File I-485 Now (USCIS-Authorized for March 2026)
Filing under Dates for Filing allows applicants to submit Form I-485 and concurrently apply for EAD and Advance Parole — even before a visa number is fully available. This protects your place in line and provides immediate work and travel benefits.
- India EB-1: Priority date before December 1, 2023
- India EB-2: Priority date before November 1, 2014
- India EB-3: Priority date before August 15, 2014
- China EB-1: Priority date before December 1, 2023
- China EB-2: Priority date before January 1, 2022
- China EB-3: Priority date before January 1, 2022
- All other countries, EB-1: CURRENT — file regardless of priority date
- All other countries, EB-2: CURRENT — file regardless of priority date
- All other countries, EB-3: Priority date before January 15, 2024
Family-Sponsored — Dates for Filing (March 2026)
- F1 (Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens): Before Sep 1, 2017 (all countries); Mexico: Dec 1, 2007; Philippines: Apr 22, 2015
- F2A (Spouses & children of LPRs): CURRENT for ALL countries — file now
- F2B (Unmarried adult children of LPRs): Before Mar 15, 2017 (all); Mexico: Feb 15, 2010; Philippines: Oct 1, 2013
- F3 (Married children of U.S. citizens): Before Jul 22, 2012 (all); Mexico: Jul 1, 2001; Philippines: Jun 1, 2006
- F4 (Siblings of U.S. citizens): Before Mar 1, 2009 (all); India: Dec 15, 2006; Mexico: Apr 30, 2001
Other Notable March 2026 Updates
- Religious Workers (EB-4 SR): H.R. 7148, signed February 3, 2026, extends the Special Immigrant Religious Workers category through September 30, 2026. Final action date is July 15, 2021 for all countries.
- Retrogression Warning: Dates have been advanced in multiple categories because visa issuance rates from certain countries have slowed under current administration measures per Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998. Retrogression later in FY2026 remains possible — do not delay filing if your date is current.
- EB-5 Investors from India & China: All three EB-5 Set-Aside categories — Rural (20%), High Unemployment (10%), and Infrastructure (2%) — are CURRENT for all countries worldwide. Speak with our team to evaluate the most advantageous EB-5 pathway for your investment immigration goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does “Current” mean on the Visa Bulletin? “Current” (shown as “C”) means there is no backlog — eligible applicants may file regardless of their priority date. For March 2026, EB-1 and EB-2 are current for most countries (excluding India and China on Final Action Dates), and all EB-5 Set-Aside categories are current worldwide.
Q: What is the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing? Final Action Dates determine when a visa can actually be issued or an I-485 approved. Dates for Filing (when authorized by USCIS) allow applicants to submit Form I-485 earlier — securing EAD and Advance Parole while waiting for a visa number. USCIS has confirmed use of the Dates for Filing chart for March 2026.
Q: I was born in India with an EB-2 petition. Can I file my I-485 this month? If your priority date is before November 1, 2014, you may file Form I-485 this month using the Dates for Filing chart. If your priority date is before September 15, 2013, your case has reached the Final Action Date and your green card can be issued. Contact Ahluwalia Law Offices to confirm your eligibility.
Q: I was born in China and hold an EB-3 petition. What applies to me? For Final Action (green card issuance), your priority date must be before May 1, 2021. For the Dates for Filing, your priority date must be before January 1, 2022. If your date qualifies, contact our office promptly — these windows can retrogress at any time.
Q: Can dates retrogress after I file my I-485? Yes. The Department of State cautions that retrogression is possible later in FY2026 as visa demand shifts. However, once you have properly filed Form I-485 using an authorized filing date, you generally retain important benefits — including EAD and Advance Parole — even if dates retrogress afterward.
Q: I am an EB-5 investor from India. Are visas available? Yes. All three EB-5 Set-Aside categories are CURRENT for all countries, including India and China. Unreserved EB-5 for India carries a Dates for Filing cutoff of May 1, 2024. We encourage investors to consult our team immediately to identify the optimal pathway.
