U.S. Immigration Data

Priority dates, work visas, and labor market data

Analysis April 04, 2026

Visa Bulletin Analysis: April 2026

The Department of State has released the April 2026 Visa Bulletin. Below is our analysis of the significant movements and how they compare to our predictions.


1. Prediction vs Reality

Where our model diverged from the actual bulletin (threshold: >14 days).

Confidence interval coverage: 14 of 40 predictions (35.0%) fell within our confidence intervals. Average CI width: 540.0 days.
EB-4 ROW (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 15 Jul 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-714d
Actual Result 15 Jul 2022
+365d
Miss +1079d
EB-4 China (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 15 Jul 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-714d
Actual Result 15 Jul 2022
+365d
Miss +1079d
EB-4 India (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 15 Jul 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-714d
Actual Result 15 Jul 2022
+365d
Miss +1079d
EB-4 Mexico (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 15 Jul 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-714d
Actual Result 15 Jul 2022
+365d
Miss +1079d
EB-4 Philippines (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 15 Jul 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-714d
Actual Result 15 Jul 2022
+365d
Miss +1079d

2. Key Movements

Month-over-month changes for applicants.

Family-Sponsored

No significant movement observed in Family-Sponsored categories.

Employment-Based

  • EB-1 China advanced by 31 days to 01 Apr 2023.
  • EB-1 India advanced by 31 days to 01 Apr 2023.
  • EB-2 India advanced by 303 days to 15 Jul 2014.
  • EB-2 ROW advanced by 533 days to 01 Apr 2026.
  • EB-3 China advanced by 45 days to 15 Jun 2021.
  • EB-3 ROW advanced by 244 days to 01 Jun 2024.

Historical Pace (12-month average)

Category 12-mo avg (days/mo) vs Seasonal Avg Trend
EB-1 China 12.0 -10.3 Typical
EB-1 India 34.2 -10.3 Typical
EB-2 China 27.9 -25.7 Slower
EB-2 India 46.7 +118.2 Faster
EB-2 ROW 84.5 +213.3 Faster
EB-3 China 18.8 -18.5 Typical
EB-3 India 19.0 -10.2 Typical
EB-3 ROW 43.1 +105.3 Faster

3. Future Outlook

The overall trend is positive, with most tracked series showing forward movement.

EB-1 China Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Dec 2023

Pace: 12.0 d/mo avg

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 14 Nov 2023
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Dec 2023
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 01 Dec 2023
EB-1 India Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Dec 2023

Pace: 34.2 d/mo avg

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 15 Feb 2024
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Dec 2023
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 01 Dec 2023
EB-2 China Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Jan 2022

Pace: 27.9 d/mo avg (slower than usual)

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 20 Oct 2022
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Jan 2022
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 01 Jan 2022
EB-2 India Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 15 Jan 2015

Pace: 46.7 d/mo avg (faster than usual)

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 27 Aug 2015
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Jan 2015
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 15 Jan 2015
EB-2 ROW Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Apr 2026

Pace: 84.5 d/mo avg (faster than usual)

Model confidence: Moderate

EB-3 China Stalled

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Jan 2022

Pace: 18.8 d/mo avg

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 06 May 2022
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Jan 2022
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 01 Jan 2022
EB-3 India Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 15 Jan 2015

Pace: 19.0 d/mo avg

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 02 May 2015
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Jan 2015
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 15 Jan 2015
EB-3 ROW Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Apr 2026

Pace: 43.1 d/mo avg (faster than usual)

Model confidence: Moderate

Expert Model Signals
  • EB-1 China is in an **advancing** pattern with consistent forward movement.
  • EB-1 India is in an **advancing** pattern with consistent forward movement.
  • EB-2 China shows **volatile** behavior with unpredictable swings.
  • EB-2 India is in an **advancing** pattern with consistent forward movement.
  • EB-2 ROW is in an **advancing** pattern with consistent forward movement.
  • EB-3 China has been **stalled** with minimal cutoff movement.
  • EB-3 India shows **volatile** behavior with unpredictable swings.
  • EB-3 ROW is in an **advancing** pattern with consistent forward movement.

Analysis generated from the Bulletin Forecast Model using historical bulletin data, I-140 demand signals, and fiscal year patterns. Model confidence varies by series. Expand "Model Breakdown" on any prediction to see individual expert signals.