US Visa Bulletin March: Final Action Dates and Major Updates

The US Visa Bulletin for March 2026 has been officially released by the US Department of State, bringing important updates for immigrant visa applicants worldwide. The latest bulletin outlines final action dates, dates for filing, annual visa limits, and critical guidance for applicants — particularly those from India navigating long backlogs in family-sponsored and employment-based categories.

With fiscal year 2026 underway, the bulletin sets the tone for how green card processing will move in the coming months.

US Visa Bulletin: Annual Visa Limits for FY 2026

According to the bulletin, the fiscal year 2026 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants stands at 226,000. Meanwhile, the worldwide annual limit for employment-based preference immigrants is set at at least 140,000, as determined under Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

The per-country cap remains fixed at 25,620, representing 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits. In addition, the dependent area limit is capped at 7,320.

These numerical caps play a crucial role in determining movement in priority dates, especially for oversubscribed categories such as India and China.

Understanding Final Action Dates in the US Visa Bulletin March 2026

For applicants filing for adjustment of status with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the “Final Action Dates” chart must be used to determine eligibility to file.

A final action date represents the priority date of the first applicant who could not be accommodated within the annual numerical limits. In simpler terms, if your priority date is earlier than the date listed in your category, your application can move forward toward approval.

If a category becomes oversubscribed, meaning demand exceeds supply, the government may retrogress the final action date. In such cases, supplemental requests for visa numbers will only be honored if the applicant’s priority date falls within the newly announced cutoff date.

Should an annual limit be reached, the category may be declared “unavailable,” halting further approvals until the next fiscal year.

US Visa Bulletin: Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates – March 2026

Under the US Visa Bulletin March 2026, the following final action dates have been announced:

• F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of US Citizens): November 8, 2016

• F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): February 1, 2024

• F2B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters 21+ of Permanent Residents): December 1, 2016

• F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of US Citizens): September 8, 2011

• F4 (Brothers and Sisters of Adult US Citizens): November 1, 2006

These dates indicate the backlog length in various family-based categories, particularly in sibling and married children categories, where waiting periods extend well over a decade.

Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications for Indians

Indian applicants see slightly different movement under the filing chart:

• F1: September 1, 2017

• F2A: February 22, 2026

• F2B: March 15, 2017

• F3: July 22, 2012

• F4: December 15, 2006

Employment-Based Final Action Dates for Indians

The employment-based categories remain heavily backlogged for Indian nationals. The US Visa Bulletin March 2026 lists the following final action dates:

• EB-1 (Priority Workers): March 1, 2023

• EB-2 (Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability): September 15, 2013

• EB-3 (Skilled Workers & Professionals): November 13, 2013

• EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants): July 15, 2021

• Certain Religious Workers: July 15, 2021

• EB-5 (Employment Creation): August 1, 2016

Dates for Filing – Employment-Based Categories for Indians

• EB-1: December 1, 2023

• EB-2: November 1, 2014

• EB-3: August 15, 2014

• EB-4: January 1, 2023

• Certain Religious Workers: January 1, 2023

• EB-5: May 1, 2024

These dates determine when applicants can submit documentation to the National Visa Center and begin formal processing.

Why Some Dates Have Advanced

The bulletin explains that immigrant visa issuance rates for nationals of certain countries have declined due to administrative actions aimed at protecting national security and public safety. These include measures such as Presidential Proclamation 10949 and Presidential Proclamation 10998, along with updated immigrant visa processing protocols.

As a result, unused visa numbers are being reallocated to applicants from other countries, leading to advancement in filing and final action dates across several categories.

However, the bulletin also warns that if demand increases significantly later in FY 2026, retrogression may again become necessary to stay within statutory caps.