There’s some positive news for Indian professionals waiting for a green card in the US.
The latest visa bulletin for April 2026 has brought a small but important relief.
The filing dates for the EB-2 and EB-3 categories have moved forward to January 15, 2015, compared to November 2014 earlier.
This two-month jump may look small, but experts say such progress hasn’t been seen in years.
Since waiting times in these categories often exceed 10 years, this change signals that the system is slowly moving ahead.
Understanding the Visa Bulletin Made Simple
The visa bulletin is basically a guide that tells you when you can apply for a green card and when you might get it.
There are two key parts you need to know:
Dates for Filing
This tells you when you can submit your application for a green card using Form I-485.
Form I-485 allows people already living in the US to apply for permanent residency.
Once you file it, you can stay in the US legally, even if your green card hasn’t been approved yet.
You can also get benefits like:
Work permit (EAD)
Travel permission (Advance Parole)
Final Action Date
This tells you when your green card will actually be approved.
If your application date is earlier than this date, you are eligible to receive your green card now.
EB-1 Category: Limited Progress
The EB-1 category includes highly talented individuals like researchers, professors, and multinational executives.
Filing Date: December 1, 2023 (no change)
Final Action Date: Moved slightly to April 1, 2023
Overall, this category hasn’t seen much improvement.
EB-2 Category: A Positive Shift
The EB-2 category is for highly skilled professionals like engineers, doctors, and data scientists.
Filing Date: January 15, 2015 (moved ahead by over 2 months)
Final Action Date: July 15, 2014
This category has shown noticeable progress, giving hope to many applicants stuck in long backlogs.
EB-3 Category: Good News for IT Workers
The EB-3 category includes IT professionals, H-1B workers, and other skilled employees.
Filing Date: January 15, 2015
Final Action Date: November 15, 2013
This category has seen one of the biggest improvements, making the path to permanent residency slightly easier.
What Experts Are Saying
Immigration experts believe this change is a positive sign.
According to Rahul Reddy, if your priority date is before January 15, 2015, you can now file your application and get benefits like work permits and travel flexibility.
He also pointed out that:
The US is likely clearing older cases
Visa processing may become more efficient
More positive changes could come in the next few months
However, he cautions that this doesn’t mean quick approvals.
The process is still slow, but smart applicants can take advantage of this opportunity.
What This Means for You
While the progress is gradual, it’s still a step forward for thousands of Indian workers waiting for years.
If your priority date matches the new timeline, this could be the right time to take action and move one step closer to your green card.
