# Immilink — Recent Immigration Policy Updates > Timely analysis of USCIS, DOL, and DOS policy changes affecting EB-3 employer-sponsored green card applicants. > Source: Immilink (https://immilink.com) | Not legal advice. --- ## USCIS Says Adjustment of Status Is Discretionary: What EB-3 and F-1 Applicants Should Know - **URL:** https://www.immilink.com/news/uscis-adjustment-of-status-discretion-memo-2026 - **Published:** 2026-05-22 USCIS issued a May 2026 policy memo reminding officers that adjustment of status under INA § 245 is a matter of discretion, not an automatic benefit. Here's what the memo actually changes for EB-3 unskilled (EW-3) applicants and for F-1 students adjusting status from inside the United States. **Key Takeaways:** - USCIS reaffirmed on May 21, 2026 that adjustment of status under INA § 245 is a discretionary benefit, not an entitlement. - Meeting the technical eligibility for Form I-485 is no longer enough on its own. Officers will weigh positive and negative factors. - Overstays, unauthorized employment, status violations, and parole-based entries will get heavier scrutiny. - EB-3 unskilled (EW-3) applicants should expect closer review of nonimmigrant history and any gaps in status while the priority date was waiting. - F-1 students adjusting status need to keep F-1 status valid through I-485 filing, avoid unauthorized work, and document a credible change of intent. - Document positive equities up front: lawful conduct, family ties, stable lawful employment, community ties, and good moral character. --- ## June 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Other Workers Filing Date Holds at August 2022 - **URL:** https://www.immilink.com/news/june-2026-visa-bulletin-eb-3-other-workers-filing-date-holds-august-2022 - **Published:** 2026-05-15 The June 2026 Visa Bulletin brings no movement for EB-3 Other Workers — the unskilled (EW) category that covers most Immilink employer-sponsored clients. Filing Date for Rest of World, Mexico, and the Philippines stays at 01AUG22. India remains at 15JAN15. China stays at 01OCT19. No retrogression this month — your priority date is fully protected. **Key Takeaways:** - EB-3 Other Workers (EW) — Rest of World, Mexico, Philippines: Filing Date unchanged at 01AUG22 - EB-3 Other Workers — India: Filing Date unchanged at 15JAN15 - EB-3 Other Workers — China: Filing Date unchanged at 01OCT19 - EB-3 Skilled Workers is a separate subcategory — it is Current (C) for ROW and does NOT apply to most Immilink clients - No retrogression this month — your priority date is fully protected --- ## EB-3 Visa Applicants Receiving 221(g) Refusals — What It Actually Means - **URL:** https://www.immilink.com/news/eb3-221g-refusal-what-it-means - **Published:** 2026-04-21 If you recently received a 221(g) refusal at your EB-3 visa interview, your case is paused, not denied. Here's what a 221(g) actually means, why it's happening right now, and what to expect next. **Key Takeaways:** - A 221(g) is a temporary refusal of visa issuance, not a denial of your EB-3 case. - Your approved I-140 remains valid and you do not lose your place in line. - You do not need to restart PERM, refile the I-140, or reapply from scratch. - Keep your contact information current and watch for outreach from the consulate. - Be prepared to refresh time-sensitive documents like your medical exam and police certificates. --- ## May 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Final Action Jumps 3 Months for ROW and Mexico — Real Progress After April’s Pause - **URL:** https://www.immilink.com/news/may-2026-visa-bulletin-eb3-other-workers-3-month-final-action-jump - **Published:** 2026-04-15 The May 2026 Visa Bulletin delivers a genuine win for EB-3 Other Workers: the Final Action Date for Rest of World and Mexico jumped 3 months forward (Nov 2021 → Feb 2022) after holding flat in April. Anyone with a priority date before February 1, 2022 is now eligible for final green card adjudication. Philippines diverged from ROW and held flat on Final Action. China and India unchanged. **Key Takeaways:** - Final Action Date for ROW and Mexico jumped 3 months forward (Nov 2021 → Feb 2022) — anyone with a priority date before Feb 1, 2022 is now eligible for green card approval - Philippines diverged from ROW for the first time, holding flat on Final Action at Nov 2021 — worth watching in June - Filing Dates unchanged across all countries this month — ROW, Mexico, Philippines remain at Aug 1, 2022 - China and India both unchanged on Final Action and Filing Dates — India’s Jan 2015 filing date gain from April remains in place - May confirms the FY2026 second-half acceleration pattern — June through September historically bring the most aggressive visa number movement --- ## April 2026 Visa Bulletin: Filing Dates Advance, Final Action Holds Flat — A Mixed Month with Real Progress - **URL:** https://www.immilink.com/news/april-2026-visa-bulletin-eb3-other-workers-mixed-month - **Published:** 2026-03-17 The April 2026 Visa Bulletin delivers a mixed result: Filing Dates advanced ~40 days for most countries, expanding I-485 eligibility, but Final Action for Rest of World held flat at November 2021. China saw ~2 months of Final Action progress, and India’s Filing Date jumped 5 months. The overall trend remains forward heading into the back half of FY2026. **Key Takeaways:** - Filing Dates advanced ~40 days for ROW, Mexico, and Philippines — more people can now file I-485 and get EAD work authorization - Final Action Date for Rest of World unchanged at November 2021 — one flat month after March’s 2-month jump - China Final Action moved forward ~2 months (Dec 2018 → Feb 2019) — notable progress for Chinese-born applicants - India Filing Date jumped 5 months (Aug 2014 → Jan 2015) — significant for Indian-born EB-3 Other Workers - Second half of FY2026 historically brings more aggressive visa number releases — trend remains positive overall --- ## March 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Other Workers Advance 2 Months — A Great Sign of Progress - **URL:** https://www.immilink.com/news/march-2026-visa-bulletin-eb3-other-workers-advance-2-months - **Published:** 2026-02-19 The March 2026 Visa Bulletin brings encouraging news for EB-3 Other Workers: the Final Action Date jumped 2 months to November 2021, and the Dates for Filing chart surged nearly 7 months to June 2022 — a huge development for I-485 AOS cases. After February's flat month, this is a great sign that things are progressing. **Key Takeaways:** - EB-3 Other Workers Final Action Date advanced 2 months: from September 2021 to November 2021 - Dates for Filing chart jumped nearly 7 months to June 2022 — a huge move for I-485 AOS eligibility - Filing your I-485 unlocks EAD work authorization, Advance Parole travel, and employer flexibility - After February's zero movement, this double advancement is a great sign that things are progressing - Historical patterns suggest continued momentum heading into spring and the second half of FY2026 --- ## Breaking: State Department Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries - **URL:** https://www.immilink.com/news/state-department-suspends-visa-processing-75-countries-january-2026 - **Published:** 2026-01-14 The U.S. State Department has announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries, citing "public charge" concerns. Effective January 21, 2026, this policy affects immigrant visas only—not tourist or business visas. For EB-3 applicants, the earlier stages of the process (labor certification, I-140) remain unaffected. **Key Takeaways:** - Suspension affects immigrant visa processing only - not tourist or business visas - 75 countries affected based on 'public charge' concerns - EB-3 labor certification and I-140 petitions remain unaffected - Historical pattern suggests policies are often challenged, narrowed, or reversed - Applicants already in process should continue - the earlier stages proceed normally --- ## February 2026 Visa Bulletin: No Movement for EB-3 Other Workers - **URL:** https://www.immilink.com/news/february-2026-visa-bulletin-eb3-other-workers-no-movement - **Published:** 2026-01-14 The February 2026 Visa Bulletin shows no advancement for the EB-3 Other Workers category. The priority date remains unchanged from January 2026. While frustrating, this is part of the normal ebb and flow of visa availability—not a reason to panic. **Key Takeaways:** - EB-3 Other Workers category showed no movement in February 2026 Visa Bulletin - Priority date cutoff remains unchanged from January 2026 - No movement doesn't mean your case is stuck—just that the line didn't move this month - Earlier stages (PERM, I-140) continue processing normally regardless of bulletin movement - Stay the course: EB-3 Other Workers has always been a long-term process --- ## USCIS Increases I-140 Premium Processing Fee to $2,965 (Effective March 2026) - **URL:** https://www.immilink.com/news/i-140-premium-processing-fee-increase-2026 - **Published:** 2026-01-10 USCIS has announced a fee increase for I-140 premium processing from $2,805 to $2,965, effective March 2026. However, for EB-3 applicants, premium processing may have limited practical value due to current visa bulletin wait times. **Key Takeaways:** - I-140 premium processing fee increases from $2,805 to $2,965 effective March 1, 2026 - Premium processing guarantees 15 business day adjudication, but does NOT reduce visa bulletin wait times - For most EB-3 applicants, premium processing provides limited practical value due to multi-year priority date waits - Priority date is established when I-140 is filed, not when approved - faster approval doesn't move you up in line - Premium processing may be useful for H-1B portability, current priority dates, or job security concerns ---