The FP Visa Bulletin for April: Dates for Filing Chart and an Employer’s Immigration Action Plan

The FP Visa Bulletin for April: Dates for Filing Chart and an Employer’s Immigration Action Plan

Each month, federal immigration authorities publish a list of dates informing immigrant visa applicants when they should expect to be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to government officials. This Insight reviews April’s release to help employers determine whether and when you should provide corresponding notifications to any of your foreign-national employees to assist their efforts. You’ll also find a specific action plan so you can adapt your immigration strategy given this month’s information. Read on to ensure you follow compliant processes and address your critical workforce needs in a timely manner.

April Dates: An Overview

There is considerable movement in this month’s visa bulletin, with EB3 becoming current for All Chargeability and Mexico, which is the first time we have seen this for a few years. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will follow the State Department’s Dates for Filing Chart published in the April Visa Bulletin to determine whether candidates are eligible to submit an Adjustment of Status application on Form I-485 for that month. Dates appearing in this chart must be compared with an employee’s Immigration Priority Date shown on their EB-1/2/3 I-140 approval notice with their current employer to determine eligibility.

Movement in Employment-Based Preference Classes for April

The April 2026 Visa Bulletin shows continued forward movement in the Dates for Filing chart for several employment-based categories, including EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3, with notable advancements for most countries of chargeability except China. USCIS has confirmed it will use this Dates for Filing chart for employment-based adjustment of status filings, enabling more foreign nationals, particularly in EB-2 and EB-3 for All Chargeability Areas except China, India, and the Philippines, to become eligible.

Employers with foreign nationals who were previously ineligible to file Adjustment of Status applications should re-evaluate eligibility immediately, as this month’s advancements opens new filing opportunities.

EB-1

• EB-1 remains current for All Chargeability Areas, Mexico, and Philippines
• EB-1 China remains the same with a priority date of December 1, 2023
• EB-1 Indian remains the same with a priority date of December 1, 2023

EB-2

• EB-2 remains current for All Chargeability Areas, Mexico, and Philippines
• EB-2 China remains the same with a priority date of January 1, 2022
• EB-2 India advances from November 1, 2014, to January 15, 2015

EB-3

• EB-3 All Chargeability Areas and Mexico advance to current
• EB-3 China remains the same with a priority date of January 1, 2022
• EB-3 India advances from August 15, 2014, to January 15, 2015
• EB-3 Philippines remains the same with a priority date of January 1, 2024

Dates for Filing Chart

The recently announced Dates for Filing for EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 appear in the table below. Please note this table can always change, so check here for the most accurate and updated information before acting on these dates.

What Should You Do? Your Action Plan

For April, USCIS is using the Dates for Filing chart. This means an Adjustment of Status may be filed for anyone with a priority date that is current. However, USCIS will not begin processing the case until the Final Action Date is current. While overall processing will be delayed, a filing application will be in the queue and USCIS will process requests for EAD cards and Advanced Parole.

If you have employees who have priority dates that will be current in April, you should reach out to your immigration attorney to prepare and submit their Adjustment of Status Application in April.

Conclusion

We will continue to monitor developments from immigration officials and provide similar guidance monthly. Make sure you are subscribed to Fisher Phillips’ Insight System to get the most up-to-date information – including next month’s FP Visa Bulletin. If you have any questions, please contact your Fisher Phillips attorney, the authors of this Insight, or any attorney in our Immigration Practice Group.