The May 2026 Visa Bulletin just dropped a bombshell. Thousands of employment-based green card applicants have one last shot to file — and the deadline is tight. Been waiting to submit your I-485 adjustment of status under the friendlier April 2026 Dates for Filing chart? You’ve got until April 30, 2026. Miss this deadline and you could be waiting months or years for another chance.
Background: Understanding the Visa Bulletin Chart Change
Here’s what you need to know. The immigration system runs on two charts that control when you can file your green card application. Chart A (Final Action Dates) tells you when green cards actually get issued. Chart B (Dates for Filing) lets you file your I-485 adjustment application earlier — even before a visa is ready.
Every month, USCIS picks which chart they’ll accept. It’s their call based on how many visas are available and how much demand they’re seeing. The May 2026 Visa Bulletin delivers bad news: USCIS is switching all employment categories back to Final Action Dates. That generous filing window we had through April? It’s closing.
In April 2026, the Visa Bulletin brought historic forward movement — particularly for India EB-2, which advanced by 303 days. That surge created increased filed demand that now threatens to exhaust annual visa number limits before the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2026. To manage this unprecedented demand, USCIS will only accept employment-based adjustment of status applications based on the Final Action Dates (Chart A)—not the Dates for Filing (Chart B) starting in May 2026.
How This Affects Employment-Based Green Card Applicants
This change creates immediate consequences for thousands of applicants who were eligible under the more generous Chart B criteria but are not current under the stricter Chart A requirements. Many applicants who were eligible to file in April under the Dates for Filing chart will not be eligible to file in May under the stricter Final Action Dates chart. This makes April 30 a critical deadline for applicants who are current under Chart B but not under Chart A.
The impact varies significantly by category and country of birth:
- EB-2 India: Applicants need a priority date before July 15, 2014 under Final Action Dates — not the more favorable January 15, 2015 filing date from Chart B
- EB-3 Rest of World: Priority date must be before June 1, 2024 (effective retrogression; category was Current for filing in April)
- All Categories: Employers with foreign nationals who are currently eligible to file Adjustment of Status applications should re-evaluate filing prior to month end as there is retrogression in all categories but EB-1 and EB-2 in ROW, Mexico, and the Philippines
Beyond filing eligibility, this change affects strategic planning for employers and employees. Filing the Adjustment of Status application allows you and your family members to apply for temporary work authorization cards and advance parole travel documents, and the green card application will begin to vest with you for portability purposes.
What You Should Do Now
Time is critical. Here are the essential steps you must take immediately:
Before April 30, 2026:
- Check Your Eligibility: Compare your priority date against both Chart A and Chart B in the April 2026 Visa Bulletin
- Gather Documents Quickly: Start gathering everything now so you can file quickly when your priority date becomes current
- File Immediately If Eligible: File immediately if you are eligible under Chart B this month. Applicants who are eligible under Chart B but not current under Final Action Dates must file by April 30 or risk losing filing eligibility for the foreseeable future
- Consider Concurrent Filing: Concurrent filing of the I-140 petition and the AOS application is permissible in many cases
Long-term Planning:
- Monitor Future Bulletins: All employment-based applicants should monitor monthly Visa Bulletins closely, as dates can retrogress with relatively short notice
- Prepare for Uncertainty: Looking ahead to the rest of fiscal year 2026, there is a real risk of retrogression if demand increases or policy shifts occur. The State Department warns that cutoff dates may retrogress before the end of FY 2026
- Consider Alternative Categories: Consider EB-5 set-aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure), which remain current and offer a valuable bypass for backlogged applicants
Why Choose Tez Law P.C.
Navigating the complexities of employment-based immigration requires experienced legal counsel, especially during periods of rapid change like we’re experiencing in 2026. At Tez Law P.C., our team understands the critical timing involved in adjustment of status applications and the strategic decisions that can make or break your case.
Managing Attorney JJ Zhang (California Bar #326666) and our immigration services team have successfully guided countless clients through complex Visa Bulletin changes, ensuring they don’t miss critical filing deadlines. We provide nationwide representation for employment-based immigration cases, offering the expertise you need regardless of your location.
Our comprehensive approach includes:
- Urgent priority date analysis and filing eligibility assessments
- Strategic planning for Chart A vs. Chart B considerations
- Complete I-485 package preparation and filing
- Ongoing case monitoring and Visa Bulletin analysis
- Coordination with employers for compliance and timing issues
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still file after April 30 if my priority date becomes current under Chart A?
Yes, but you’ll need to wait until your priority date is current under the Final Action Dates (Chart A), which could be months or years later depending on your category and country of birth. The key advantage of filing by April 30 is maintaining your place in line and securing work authorization benefits while waiting for final approval.
What happens to my case if USCIS switches back to Chart B in future months?
If you’ve already filed your I-485 application, you’ll continue processing regardless of future chart changes. However, final approval still depends on your priority date becoming current under Chart A. Future applicants would then be able to file under the more generous Chart B criteria again.
Should I submit my medical examination with my April filing?
Generally no. Medical examinations are valid for one year, and if you’re filing under Chart B, your case may not be approved for several months or longer. It’s typically better to wait and submit the medical exam closer to when your priority date becomes current under Chart A to avoid having to repeat the examination.
Don’t let this critical deadline pass by. The April 30, 2026 filing deadline represents one of the most significant immigration opportunities in recent years, but only for those who act quickly. Contact Tez Law P.C. today for a free consultation to evaluate your case and ensure you don’t miss this essential filing window. Our experienced team is standing by to help you navigate this complex process and secure your path to permanent residence in the United States.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact Tez Law P.C. at 626-678-8677 or [email protected] for advice specific to your situation. Results may vary.