The U.S. Department of State has released the March 2026 Visa Bulletin (see here), showing a 40-day advancement in the Dates for Filing for Chinese applicants in the Unreserved EB-5 category.
The Final Action Dates will remain unchanged in the upcoming month for both pre-RIA Chinese and Indian applicants. All three Reserved EB-5 categories — Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure — will continue to be “current” in March. In addition, the Notes section of the latest Visa Bulletin does not include any warning of potential cut-off dates for the Reserved categories in the foreseeable future.
The March Visa Bulletin also includes a note explaining the recent advancement of the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates across various immigrant visa categories, including EB-5. According to the State Department, immigrant visa issuances have been paused for applicants from 75 countries since January 21, 2026. As a result, additional immigrant visa numbers have become available to applicants from other countries in FY2026, resulting in the forward movement in both the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates in March. See below from the Notes section of the March Visa Bulletin:
D. AVAILABILITY OF FAMILY-SPONSORED AND EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISAS
Immigrant visa issuance rates for aliens from certain countries have decreased in light of various actions the administration has taken to protect national security and public safety, and to otherwise advance the interests of the United States (e.g. Presidential Proclamation 10949, Presidential Proclamation 10998, Immigrant Visa Processing Updates). Consequently, to make visas available in accordance with sections 201-203 of the INA to prospective immigrants from other countries to use immigrant visa numbers that are available in FY-2026, dates for filing and final action dates have been advanced across various immigrant visa categories. Note that as additional immigrant visa demand materializes, or administration actions are amended, retrogression may be necessary later in the fiscal year to keep issuances within annual limits. This situation is being continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.
USCIS has also confirmed that it will continue to accept Chart B (Dates for Filing) for employment-based adjustment of status submissions in March.
EB-5 FINAL ACTION DATES (CHART A)
The March Visa Bulletin revealed the following Final Action Dates for EB-5 visa applicants:
-
Unreserved EB-5 Visa Categories:
- China: August 15, 2016 (unchanged from the February Visa Bulletin)
- India: May 1, 2022 (unchanged from the February Visa Bulletin)
- All Other Countries: “Current“
-
Reserved EB-5 Visa Categories:
- All Countries: “Current”
(Chart A on the March 2026 Visa Bulletin)
EB-5 DATES FOR FILING (CHART B)
All Reserved EB-5 categories will remain “current” across the board, confirming that there will NOT be any cut-off dates for applicants in these categories in March.
For the Unreserved EB-5 category, the Dates for Filing (Chart B) remain “current” for all applicants in the next month, except for those born in China or India:
- Pre-RIA Chinese applicants: October 1, 2016 (advanced 40 days from the February Visa Bulletin);.
- Pre-RIA Indian applicants: May 1, 2024 (unchanged from the February Visa Bulletin).
(Chart B on the March 2026 Visa Bulletin)
USCIS AOS Filing Charts for March 2026
According to USCIS, in March, the agency will continue to accept Chart B (Dates for Filing) for employment-based adjustment of status (AOS) applications, meaning the window to use Chart B will remain open in the upcoming month. See below for USCIS’ announcement on its website:
Next Month’s Adjustment of Status Filing Charts
For Employment-Based Preference Filings:
For all employment-based preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for March 2026.
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