U.S. Immigration Data

Priority dates, work visas, and labor market data

Analysis April 04, 2026

Visa Bulletin Analysis: March 2026

The Department of State has released the March 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: 19 of 40 predictions (47.5%) fell within our confidence intervals. Average CI width: 540.0 days.
EB-4 ROW (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jan 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-519d
Actual Result 15 Jul 2021
+195d
Miss +714d
EB-4 China (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jan 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-519d
Actual Result 15 Jul 2021
+195d
Miss +714d
EB-4 India (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jan 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-519d
Actual Result 15 Jul 2021
+195d
Miss +714d
EB-4 Mexico (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jan 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-519d
Actual Result 15 Jul 2021
+195d
Miss +714d
EB-4 Philippines (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jan 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-519d
Actual Result 15 Jul 2021
+195d
Miss +714d

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 28 days to 01 Mar 2023.
  • EB-1 India advanced by 28 days to 01 Mar 2023.
  • EB-2 India advanced by 62 days to 15 Sep 2013.
  • EB-2 ROW advanced by 197 days to 15 Oct 2024.
  • EB-3 ROW advanced by 122 days to 01 Oct 2023.

Historical Pace (12-month average)

Category 12-mo avg (days/mo) vs Seasonal Avg Trend
EB-1 China 9.4 -17.3 Typical
EB-1 India 32.8 +87.0 Faster
EB-2 China 40.1 +3.3 Typical
EB-2 India 24.0 +36.8 Faster
EB-2 ROW 43.2 +55.7 Faster
EB-3 China 22.8 -21.7 Slower
EB-3 India 23.9 +11.0 Typical
EB-3 ROW 25.3 +26.3 Faster

3. Future Outlook

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

EB-1 China Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 11 Dec 2023

Pace: 9.4 d/mo avg

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 11 Nov 2023
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Dec 2023
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 16 Dec 2023
EB-1 India Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Jan 2024

Pace: 32.8 d/mo avg (faster than usual)

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 06 Dec 2023
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Dec 2023
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 01 Jan 2024
EB-2 China Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Jan 2022

Pace: 40.1 d/mo avg

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 15 May 2022
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Jan 2022
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 01 Jan 2022
EB-2 India Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Nov 2014

Pace: 24.0 d/mo avg (faster than usual)

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 02 Aug 2015
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Nov 2014
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 01 Nov 2014
EB-2 ROW Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Mar 2026

Pace: 43.2 d/mo avg (faster than usual)

Model confidence: Moderate

EB-3 China Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Jan 2022

Pace: 22.8 d/mo avg (slower than usual)

Model confidence: Moderate

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 29 May 2022
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Jan 2022
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 01 Jan 2022
EB-3 India Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 15 Aug 2014

Pace: 23.9 d/mo avg

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 06 Dec 2014
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Aug 2014
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 15 Aug 2014
EB-3 ROW Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 15 Jan 2024

Pace: 25.3 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 shows **volatile** behavior with unpredictable swings.
  • 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.