After years of frustrating delays, the US Department of State has officially released the visa bulletin for March 2026, bringing a massive wave of relief to Indian professionals. For thousands of families caught in the decades-long Green Card backlog, this latest update contains some of the most encouraging news in recent memory. The employment-based second preference category, widely known as EB-2, has seen a historic forward leap, finally opening the door for many to apply for their permanent residency.
What Happened in the March 2026 Update?
Every month, the federal government publishes cut-off dates that dictate when intending immigrants can move forward in their Green Card journey. Following the release of the March 2026 data by the State Department, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officially confirmed they will accept employment-based applications using the “Dates for Filing” chart.
This is a crucial and highly beneficial decision for applicants. The filing chart generally allows foreign nationals to submit their final paperwork months or even years before their actual visa approval date becomes current. By honoring the filing chart for March, the government is signaling that they have the capacity to process a new surge of adjustment of status applications.
Key Priority Date Changes for India
The biggest story of the March 2026 release is the incredible advancement in the EB-2 category for Indian nationals. The filing date for Indian EB-2 applicants jumped forward by a full eleven months, moving from December 1, 2013, to November 1, 2014. Meanwhile, the final action date for EB-2 advanced by two months, settling at September 15, 2013.
The EB-1 category, which is reserved for individuals with extraordinary abilities or multinational executives, also saw highly positive momentum. The filing date for India advanced by four months to December 1, 2023. Its final action date also inched forward by one month to March 1, 2023.
Other categories experienced mixed results. The EB-3 category for skilled professionals from India remained completely frozen, with the filing date stuck at August 15, 2014, and the final action date resting at November 15, 2013. On the other hand, the EB-4 category for special immigrants and religious workers saw a massive 21-month forward jump in its filing dates, reaching January 1, 2023. The family-sponsored categories for India remained largely unchanged, showing no significant forward movement.
Background: Why Did the Dates Move So Fast?
Many applicants are wondering how the EB-2 line managed to move forward almost a year in a single month. Immigration experts note that this sudden shift reflects the structural rules built into US immigration laws.
When family-sponsored Green Card numbers go unused during a fiscal year—often due to processing delays or backlogs at US consulates abroad—those extra visas automatically spill over into the employment-based system. Because India has the largest backlog of pending employment-based applications, it is almost always the first to feel the impact when these extra visa numbers drop down into the system. The government only moves filing dates forward by a year if they foresee real, tangible visa availability behind the scenes.
Why This Matters and the Impact on Indian Professionals
For an Indian tech worker, researcher, or doctor living on a temporary H-1B visa, reaching the cut-off date is a life-changing milestone. When a priority date becomes current on the filing chart, the applicant and their immediate family members become eligible to file Form I-485, the application to adjust status.
Filing this form unlocks massive benefits. Applicants can simultaneously apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Advance Parole. An EAD allows the applicant and their spouse to work for almost any employer without needing complex visa transfers, effectively breaking the restrictions of the H-1B system. Advance Parole allows them to travel internationally without the stressful process of getting a visa stamp at an embassy. Most importantly, filing the adjustment of status provides immense peace of mind, officially transitioning families from temporary guest workers to pending permanent residents.
What Happens Next?
Starting March 1, 2026, eligible applicants can officially submit their adjustment of status paperwork to the government. If your priority date is now current, the immediate next step is to work with your employer or immigration attorney to gather all required documentation. This includes scheduling immigration medical examinations, organizing birth and marriage certificates, and securing employment verification letters.
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Priority dates can be unpredictable and sometimes move backward in future months—a process known as retrogression. Because of this risk, experts strongly advise eligible applicants to file their documents as early as possible during the month of March to lock in their place in line and secure their work and travel benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which chart is USCIS using for the March 2026 visa bulletin?
For employment-based Green Card applications in March 2026, USCIS has officially confirmed they will use the “Dates for Filing” chart. This allows many applicants to submit their paperwork earlier than the final approval dates.
What is the new EB-2 priority date for India?
For March 2026, the EB-2 India Date for Filing is November 1, 2014. The Final Action Date for EB-2 India is September 15, 2013.
Why didn’t the EB-3 category for India move?
The EB-3 category for India remains heavily oversubscribed with high demand. Visa numbers are currently exhausted for this specific preference level, keeping the filing date stuck at August 15, 2014, for the time being.
Can priority dates move backward in the future?
Yes. It is entirely possible for priority dates to retrogress (move backward) in upcoming months if the government receives more applications than they have visas available. This is why it is highly recommended to file your application as soon as your date becomes current.