The U.S. Department of State has released the April 2026 Visa Bulletin, revealing substantial forward movement in several employment-based (EB) green card preference categories. This update provides significant relief for skilled professionals, researchers, executives, and other qualified workers awaiting permanent residency.
Particularly noteworthy is the shift to “current” status across EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 Skilled Workers categories for applicants already in the United States. “Current” means there are no priority date restrictions, allowing eligible individuals to immediately file Form I-485 for adjustment of status.
EB-1 covers Priority Workers, including individuals with Extraordinary Ability (e.g., in sciences, arts, athletics), Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives—all now fully current. EB-2 applies to Members of Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability, such as Advanced Degree Professionals; its final action date advanced from October 15, 2024 (March bulletin), to current.
For EB-3, which includes Skilled Workers (requiring at least two years of training or experience), Professionals, and Other Workers (unskilled, less than two years’ training), filing dates for Skilled Workers became current, with final action advancing from October 1, 2023, to June 1, 2024.
EB-3 Other Workers’ filing progressed from November 1, 2021, to August 1, 2022, while visa interview appointments remain at November 1, 2021. In the March bulletin, the EB-3 Skilled Workers cutoff was January 15, 2024.
Progress was uneven in other areas. EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants, including Religious Workers) filing dates held at January 1, 2023, though visa interview appointments advanced from July 15, 2021, to July 15, 2022. EB-5 (Immigrant Investors in Rural Areas or High-Unemployment Areas) remains current.
A January 21, 2026, presidential proclamation suspends immigrant visa issuance for Nepal and 74 other countries—even after interviews and approvals—impacting all EB categories and blocking U.S. entry. Those with pre-January 21 visas may enter without issue. Applicants should seek USCIS or legal advice given ongoing visa limits and per-country caps.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
