US March Visa Bulletin 2026: Good news for Indians! Employment categories advance, family queues stay frozen

 

After February’s pause, the March 2026 Visa Bulletin delivers selective movement for Indian applicants, led by employment-based advances and a reopening in the Religious Workers category, while most family-sponsored queues remain unchanged.

Released by the US Department of State, the March bulletin reflects a split picture: measurable gains for several employment categories, but near-total stagnation for family-based green cards.

Employment-based green cards: targeted advances and a reopening

March brings forward movement across key employment-based Final Action Dates for India.

Employment Final Action Dates – India (March 2026)

 

 

 

 

Category	Feb 2026	Mar 2026	Change
EB-1	01Feb23	01Mar23	+1 month
EB-2	15Jul13	15Sep13	+2 month
EB-3	15Nov13	15Nov13	No change.
Other Workers	15Nov13	15Nov13	No change.
EB-4	01Jan21	15Jul21	+6.5 month
Certain Religious Workers	U	15Jul21	Reopens (+).
EB-5 Unreserved	01May22	01May22	No change.

The most notable shift comes in EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers. EB-4 advances by six and a half months, while the Certain Religious Workers category reopens from “U” (Unavailable) to July 15, 2021 — restoring processing for applicants who had been blocked entirely.

EB-2 continues its gradual climb with a two-month advance, and EB-1 inches forward by one month. EB-3 and Other Workers remain unchanged.

On the filing side, movement is even more pronounced.

Employment Dates for Filing – India (March 2026)

 

 

 

 

Category	Feb 2026	Mar 2026	Change
EB-1	01Aug23	01Dec23	+4 months
EB-2	01Dec13	01Nov14	+11 months
EB-3	15Aug14	15Aug14	No change.
Other Workers	15Aug14	15Aug14	No change.
4th (EB-4)	15Mar21	01Jan23	+21 months
Certain Religious Workers	U	1Jan23	Reopens.
5th Unreserved	01May24 Advertisement	01May24	No change.

The 11-month jump in EB-2 filing dates and the 21-month advance in EB-4 filing dates significantly widen the window for eligible Indian applicants to submit adjustment of status applications, secure work authorisation, and lock in dependent protections while waiting for final approvals.

Family-sponsored green cards: minimal change, one filing advance

In contrast, family-sponsored categories for India remain largely frozen.

Family Final Action Dates – India (March 2026)

 

 

 

 

Category	Feb 2026	Mar 2026	Change
F1	08Nov16	08Nov16	No change.
F2A	01Feb24	01Feb24	No change.
F2B	01Dec16	01Dec16	No change.
F3	08Sep11	08Sep11	No change.
F4	01Nov06	01Nov06	No change.

There is no movement at all in Final Action Dates, meaning no acceleration in approvals for long-pending Indian family applicants.

On the filing chart, only one category advances.

Family Dates for Filing – India (March 2026)

 

 

 

 

Category	Feb 2026	Mar 2026	Change
F1 Advertisement	01Sep17	01Sep17	No change.
F2A	22Jan26	22Feb26	+1 month
F2B	15Mar17	15Mar17	No change.
F3	22Jul12	22Jul12	No change.
F4	15Dec06	15Dec06	No change.

F2A, covering spouses and minor children of permanent residents, moves forward by one month in Dates for Filing. All other family categories remain static.

Reading March 2026 visa bulletin as an Indian applicant

March’s bulletin sharpens the contrast between employment and family pathways:

Employment-based categories are advancing again, particularly EB-2, EB-4 and filing timelines, with the Religious Workers category reopening after being unavailable.

Family-based categories remain structurally stalled, with only a modest procedural gain in F2A filing dates and no movement in final approvals.

For Indian applicants, March 2026 offers renewed momentum in employment tracks, but continued patience for families waiting in long-standing queues.