EB-2 Now Current in April 2026 Visa Bulletin

The U.S. Department of State released the April 2026 visa bulletin, and the headline is straightforward: EB-2 final action dates are now current for all countries except China and India.

This is a big deal. For professionals who qualify under EB-2, including through the National Interest Waiver, it means there is no backlog wait for most nationalities. If your petition is approved, your visa number is immediately available.

India and China still have cutoff dates, but both saw significant forward movement this month.

Wondering where you stand? Take the free eligibility assessment and get a personalised report with your pathway, scores, and next steps. Five minutes, no account needed.

The final action dates chart determines when USCIS can make a final decision on your green card application. "Current" means there is no wait.

For everyone outside China and India, this is as good as it gets. No queue, no waiting for a visa number.

For India, the date jumped roughly 10 months forward from the previous bulletin. For China, the date holds steady at September 2021.

The dates for filing chart determines when you can submit your adjustment of status (I-485) application. USCIS confirmed that employment-based applicants should use this chart for April 2026.

If you need a refresher on how these two charts work together, read our guide to understanding the EB-2 visa bulletin.

When the visa bulletin shows "Current" for your country, it means there are enough visa numbers available right now. No line. In practical terms:

• If you are in the U.S. and your I-140 petition is approved, you can file your I-485 (adjustment of status) right away.
• If you are outside the U.S. and your I-140 is approved, you can proceed directly to consular processing for your immigrant visa.
• If you have not started yet, this is a strong window. Filing your I-140 petition now means you lock in your priority date while conditions are favourable.

One thing worth knowing: the State Department noted that these dates could move backward later in the fiscal year if demand increases. Conditions are favourable right now. They may not stay that way indefinitely.

If you have been thinking about a self-petition green card, this bulletin is worth paying attention to.

Check your eligibility. The EB-2 National Interest Waiver allows professionals to self-petition for a green card without an employer sponsor. You need an advanced degree or exceptional ability, and your work needs to serve the U.S. national interest. Many professionals qualify without realising it.

Get your profile scored. Our free eligibility assessment evaluates your background against the actual criteria USCIS uses. It takes about five minutes and delivers a personalised report to your inbox with your recommended pathway, criterion-by-criterion scores, and specific next steps.

Be thorough with the assessment. The more detail you provide, the more accurate your report. Include your publications, patents, awards, professional memberships, leadership roles, and any recognition your work has received. If you have a CV ready, upload it.

This applies whether you are in the U.S. on a work visa, studying, or living anywhere else in the world. EB-2 NIW petitions can be filed from anywhere.

Find out where you stand. Take the free eligibility assessment and get your personalised green card eligibility report in minutes. No account, no cost, no strings.