March 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Other Workers Advance 2 Months — A Great Sign of Progress

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

After a frustrating February with zero movement, the March 2026 Visa Bulletin is here — and the news is genuinely encouraging. The EB-3 Other Workers category advanced 2 months on the Final Action chart, and the Dates for Filing chart surged nearly 7 months. This is exactly the kind of progress we want to see.

The Numbers: Real, Meaningful Progress

Final Action Date (for visa issuance and consular processing):

• February 2026: 01 September 2021
• March 2026: 01 November 2021
• Movement: +2 months forward

Dates for Filing (for I-485 Adjustment of Status applications):

• February 2026: 01 December 2021
• March 2026: 22 June 2022
• Movement: Nearly 7 months forward — this is huge

After a month of stagnation, this kind of double advancement is a great sign that the system is working and cases are being processed.

Why the Filing Date Jump Matters So Much

If you're already in the U.S. and planning to file for Adjustment of Status (I-485), the Dates for Filing chart is the one that directly affects you. When USCIS authorizes the use of this chart — which they frequently do — it determines when you can actually submit your I-485 application.

A nearly 7-month leap on this chart means that a significant number of applicants with priority dates between December 2021 and June 2022 may now be eligible to file their I-485. That's a meaningful expansion of who can take the next step in their green card journey.

What filing your I-485 unlocks:

• Employment Authorization Document (EAD): Work for any employer while your case is pending
• Advance Parole: Travel internationally without abandoning your application
• Job flexibility: You're no longer tied to your sponsoring employer for work authorization

For many families, filing the I-485 is the moment when daily life starts to feel more stable. This advancement brings that moment closer for a lot of people.

What This Means for Your Case

Let's put this in perspective:

This is a great sign that things are progressing. After February's standstill, it would have been easy to worry that the category was stuck. Instead, the State Department came back with meaningful forward movement on both charts. That tells us demand is being processed and visa numbers are flowing.

The trend matters more than any single month. Last month, we said "stay the course" — and this month proves why that advice holds. Immigration is a long game, and months like this are the payoff for patience.

If your priority date is now current (or close to it): Start getting your documents in order. Make sure your medical exams, civil documents, and financial evidence are ready. When your date becomes current, you want to be prepared to move quickly.

By the Numbers: Where We Stand

Here's how the EB-3 Other Workers category looks across different countries for March 2026:

What You Should Do Right Now

1. Check your priority date. If your EB-3 Other Workers priority date is before November 1, 2021, your Final Action Date is current. If it's before June 22, 2022, you may be eligible to file your I-485 (when USCIS authorizes the Filing Date chart).
2. Prepare your documents. Don't wait until the last minute. Medical exams, birth certificates, police clearances, and financial affidavits all take time to gather.
3. Talk to your immigration team. If you're an Immilink client, reach out to us to confirm your next steps. We'll help you understand exactly where you stand and what to do next.
4. Stay optimistic. This month is proof that the process works. The line is moving, and your turn is getting closer.

Looking Ahead

Two months of Final Action advancement plus a massive Filing Date jump is exactly the momentum we want to see heading into the spring. Historically, the second half of the fiscal year (April–September) tends to see more visa number availability as the State Department works to use up annual allocations.

We'll be watching the April 2026 bulletin closely and will update you the moment it drops. If this month is any indication, there's reason to feel good about what's ahead.

Remember: Last month we told you to stay the course. This month is your reward for doing exactly that. Keep going.

For the official March 2026 Visa Bulletin, visit the U.S. State Department website.