India Takes the Lead with Monumental Progress in U.S. Employment-Based Green Card Categories, Paving the Way for Lightning-Fast Approvals in the March Update

The March U.S. Green Card Update has brought groundbreaking advancements for Indian applicants in employment-based categories, with significant movement in the final action and filing dates. This progress marks a major turning point, significantly reducing wait times and accelerating the approval process. The surge in key categories, including the fourth and second preferences, signals a shift toward faster processing and greater opportunities for skilled workers and professionals seeking permanent residency in the United States. These changes provide new hope for thousands of applicants, offering quicker paths to Green Card approval and opening doors for those eagerly awaiting their turn in the immigration process.

The March Green Card Update reveals significant advancements in India’s employment-based Green Card categories, with notable progress observed in both the fourth and second preferences. In the final action chart, the fourth preference surged to July 15, 2021, from January 1, 2021, and the second preference advanced to September 15, 2013, from July 15, 2013. The filing dates for these categories also show substantial progress, further highlighting the easing of wait times for certain applicants.

Significant Changes in Employment-Based Preferences

The biggest changes in the latest visa bulletin focus on the fourth and second preference categories. The fourth preference category, which includes certain special immigrants, has made a significant leap in the final action dates, advancing to July 15, 2021, from its previous date of January 1, 2021. Similarly, the second preference category has progressed to September 15, 2013, up from July 15, 2013. This movement reflects growing opportunities for those in employment-based categories, as more visas are becoming available, allowing for quicker processing.

The third employment-based preference, which covers skilled workers, professionals, and other workers, remains crucial in this update. This category allocates 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based visa allocation and covers professionals and skilled workers, along with unskilled workers in the “Other Workers” segment. The cap for unskilled laborers is set at 10,000 visas annually, highlighting the balance between skilled and unskilled immigration.

Progress in Dates for Filing

In the dates for filing chart, which outlines the earliest date applicants can submit their adjustment of status or immigrant visa applications, there have been substantial jumps in both the second and fourth preference categories. The fourth preference has moved to January 1, 2023, from March 15, 2021, while the second preference has progressed to November 14, 2014, from December 1, 2013. Furthermore, the first preference filing date has moved ahead to December 1, 2023, from August 1, 2023. This movement signifies increased availability of Green Cards for applicants, with reduced waiting periods for some categories.

Family-Sponsored Categories and Their Status

Family-sponsored categories have seen little change overall. The F2A filing date, which pertains to spouses and children of permanent residents, has advanced slightly to February 22, 2026, from January 22, 2026. All other family-sponsored final action and filing dates for India remain unchanged, indicating stability in the family-based immigration process for the country.

A Closer Look at the Visa Bulletin

Understanding the Visa Bulletin is critical for anyone seeking to adjust their immigration status or apply for a Green Card. The bulletin provides vital information on when individuals can file their applications and how long they might need to wait before their applications are approved. The Visa Bulletin features two main sections: Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates.

• Dates for Filing: This section indicates the earliest date applicants can submit their adjustment of status or immigrant visa applications. It serves as a guide for applicants, helping them determine when they can move forward with their applications based on their visa category and country of origin.
• Final Action Dates: These dates represent the wait times for application approval, which leads to permanent residency. They function as a queue system based on visa category and nationality. The dates help applicants gauge when they can expect their Green Card applications to be processed.

It is essential to note that applicants must have a priority date before the listed filing date for their specific category and country to be eligible to file. This guideline ensures that applications are processed in an orderly manner, minimizing delays and ensuring fairness in the allocation of available visas.

Key Updates in Family-Sponsored Categories

The family-sponsored categories for India remain largely unchanged, though some movement can be seen in the F2A filing dates. The F2A category, which refers to spouses and children of permanent residents, has moved to February 22, 2026, from January 22, 2026. This represents a modest increase, offering slight relief to those in this category who have been waiting for a chance to apply. All other family-sponsored dates for India remain steady, reflecting a relatively stable process for family-based immigration.

Employment-Based Green Card Categories: Allocation and Preferences

The employment-based immigrant visa process is structured to ensure a balanced distribution of visas among various types of skilled and unskilled workers, professionals, and investors. The allocation percentages for these categories are as follows:

1. Priority Workers (28.6%): This category includes individuals with extraordinary abilities in their fields, outstanding professors, and multinational executives or managers.
2. Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Individuals of Exceptional Ability (28.6%): This category includes professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities in their respective fields.
3. Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers (28.6%): This category covers skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled laborers, with a cap of 10,000 visas for unskilled workers.
4. Certain Special Immigrants (7.1%): This category includes religious workers, certain employees of U.S. foreign service posts, and individuals who have served in the U.S. armed forces.
5. Employment Creation (7.1%): This category targets investors and entrepreneurs, with specific allocations for investments in rural areas (20%), high unemployment areas (10%), and infrastructure projects (2%).

These preferences are designed to attract a diverse range of talent and foster economic growth and innovation in the U.S. The categories encourage professionals, skilled workers, and investors from around the world to contribute to the country’s development while providing pathways for permanent residency.

Employment-Based Green Cards: Key Dates and Filing Information

For those seeking employment-based Green Cards, the final action dates and filing dates are as follows:

• 1st Preference: The final action date for the first preference has advanced to March 1, 2023, from February 1, 2023. The filing date has moved to December 1, 2023, from August 1, 2023.
• 2nd Preference: The final action date has progressed to September 15, 2013, from July 15, 2013, while the filing date has moved to November 14, 2014, from December 1, 2013.
• 3rd Preference and Other Workers: The final action dates for the third preference and other workers remain unchanged at November 15, 2013.
• 4th Preference: The final action date has moved to July 15, 2021, from January 1, 2021, with the filing date advancing to January 1, 2023, from March 15, 2021.

These updates reflect continued improvements in the processing times for employment-based Green Cards, allowing more applicants to file and progress in their immigration journey.

The March Green Card Update signifies a period of substantial movement in both family and employment-based Green Card categories, particularly for applicants from India. With significant advances in the final action and filing dates, the latest visa bulletin brings hope to many who have been waiting for years to secure permanent residency in the U.S. As the process continues to evolve, understanding these updates and their implications is crucial for all applicants looking to adjust their immigration status successfully. The Visa Bulletin remains an essential tool in navigating the complex Green Card journey, providing guidance on when to file and when to expect approval.

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