Information on this page is current as of April 7, 2026. The Visa Bulletin is updated MONTHLY. Dates, statuses and restrictions may change. Always check the current bulletin at travel.state.gov and current restrictions on the State Department visa news page.
The Visa Bulletin 2026 in Russian: what it is, how to read the chart, where to check current dates, what “Current” means, and what the status is now for citizens of Russia and CIS countries. We explain the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing, what a priority date is, retrogression and cross-chargeability in plain language. Current status of EB-1 and EB-2 NIW as of April 2026, the history of the EB-2 queue since 2022, the suspension of immigrant visa issuance for 75 countries, and what to do if you are in the U.S. or abroad.
What the Visa Bulletin is in plain terms
Main article on the topic: Visa Bulletin 2026
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The Visa Bulletin is a monthly table published by the U.S. Department of State (State Department). It shows which countries and visa categories currently have available visa numbers.
Think of a queue: you got I-140 approval (that’s like taking a ticket), but you only get the green card when "your number is called." The bulletin shows whose number is currently being served. If your number is "called" — you can file for the green card. If not — you wait.
Why it matters
The number of green cards is limited by law — roughly 140,000 per year for ALL employment-based categories (EB-1 through EB-5). There’s also a per-country limit — no more than 7% of the total for a single country of birth. When demand exceeds supply, a queue forms.
Who this concerns
- EB-1A / EB-1B: Usually no queue (Current) for most countries
- EB-2 (including NIW): May have a queue, depends on country of birth
- O-1: Not affected by the bulletin — it’s a nonimmigrant work visa (not a green card)
Where to check
travel.state.gov/visa-bulletin — updated monthly, usually in the middle of the previous month (for example, the May bulletin is published in mid-April).
USCIS - Filing Charts — USCIS announces each month whether it is accepting Table A or Table B (details below). Check before filing I-485.
How to read the bulletin: step-by-step
This is the primary table. Look for the "Employment-Based" section (employment categories).
- "1st" = EB-1 (EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-1C)
- "2nd" = EB-2 (including NIW)
- "3rd" = EB-3
- etc.
- "All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed" = all countries except India, China, Mexico, Philippines (includes Russia, Ukraine, all of Europe, etc.)
- "China-mainland born" = China (mainland)
- "India" = India
- "Mexico" = Mexico
- "Philippines" = Philippines
- If you see "C" (Current) — there is NO queue, you can file for the green card IMMEDIATELY after I-140 approval
- If a date is shown (e.g., "01JAN22") — your priority date (the date USCIS received your I-140) must be EARLIER than that date. If your date is later — you wait.
What is a Priority Date? It’s the date USCIS received your I-140 petition. It is "locked" to you forever — even if you change categories or change jobs. The priority date is your "ticket number" in the queue.
Two charts: Filing Date vs. Final Action Date
Each bulletin has TWO charts, and this confuses many people:
| Table | What it means | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Table A: Final Action Dates | The date when the green card can be ISSUED | Your case can be finally approved |
| Table B: Dates for Filing | An earlier date that allows you to FILE I-485 | You can file earlier and obtain EAD and Advance Parole |
Practical meaning of Table B: If USCIS announces it is accepting Dates for Filing (Table B) this month, you can file I-485 (Adjustment of Status) before your date becomes Current under Table A. This gives two bonuses:
1. EAD card (Employment Authorization Document) - the right to work for ANY employer, not just the visa sponsor
2. Advance Parole (Travel Document) - the right to leave the U.S. and return without risking loss of status
Your case cannot be APPROVED until the date is Current under Table A, but you can already use EAD and AP.
Current status: April 2026
For citizens of Russia and most countries worldwide — EB-2 is CURRENT!
As of April 2026, EB-2 for "All Chargeability Areas" (all countries except India, China, Mexico and the Philippines) is CURRENT — both Table A and Table B. No queue. I-140 approved — you can immediately file for the green card.
Source: Visa Bulletin, April 2026
EB-1 (for O-1 holders adjusting to a green card)
| Country of birth | Final Action Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Russia and all others | CURRENT | No queue |
| China | CURRENT | No queue |
| India | CURRENT | No queue |
EB-1 is practically always Current for all countries. Rare exceptions occur at the end of the fiscal year (August–September).
EB-2 (including NIW)
| Country of birth | Final Action Date | Waiting time |
|---|---|---|
| Russia and all others | CURRENT | No queue |
| Mexico | CURRENT | No queue |
| Philippines | CURRENT | No queue |
| China (mainland born) | September 1, 2021 | ~5 years |
| India | July 15, 2014 | ~12+ years |
Month-by-month EB-2 progression in FY2026
How EB-2 moved to Current over 7 months (for “All Chargeability Areas” — including Russia):
Final Action Dates (Table A):
| Month | EB-1 | EB-2 |
|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | Current | December 1, 2023 |
| November 2025 | Current | December 1, 2023 |
| December 2025 | Current | February 1, 2024 |
| January 2026 | Current | April 1, 2024 |
| February 2026 | Current | April 1, 2024 |
| March 2026 | Current | October 15, 2024 |
| April 2026 | Current | Current |
EB-1 was Current ALL 7 months of FY2026. EB-2 moved from a cutoff of “December 2023” to Current over 7 months — a jump of more than 2 years. The largest jump was between March and April: from “October 15, 2024” straight to Current.
Why dates moved so fast — and why it may not last
The date movements were caused by three administration actions that sharply reduced visa issuance at consulates:
1. Presidential Proclamation 10949 (June 2025) — entry restrictions for citizens of 19 countries
2. Presidential Proclamation 10998 (January 1, 2026) — expanded restrictions to 39 countries
3. Suspension of immigrant visa issuance for 75 countries (January 21, 2026) — indefinite pause
When fewer visas are issued at consulates, more numbers remain in the annual pool of 140,000 employment immigrant visas. The State Department advances dates to use numbers before the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2026).
The bulletin for April 2026 contains a warning:
“As additional immigrant visa demand materializes, or administration actions are amended, retrogression may be necessary later in the fiscal year.”
Translation: “As additional immigrant visa demand materializes or administration actions are changed, retrogression may be necessary later in the fiscal year.”
A former State Department official warned: “These are completely artificial movements. If the restrictions for 75 countries are lifted — there will be a boomerang effect.” He compared it to the COVID era 2020–2022, when embassy closures caused similar date forward movements followed by severe retrogression.
The paradox for Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus
The bulletin is Current, but consular processing is FROZEN.
Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are among the 75 countries for which immigrant visa issuance is suspended. This creates a paradox: the bulletin dates are perfect (Current), but if you are OUTSIDE the U.S. and require consular processing (an embassy interview) — your application is effectively frozen.
Who can take advantage of the Current status:
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Russians/Kazakhstani/Belarusians INSIDE the U.S. | File I-485 NOW. The consular pause does not affect you. Filing gives EAD + Advance Parole |
| Russians/Kazakhstani/Belarusians ABROAD | Bulletin Current = no date queue. Consulates continue to schedule interviews. BUT after interview the visa is not issued — a 221(g) hold (administrative suspension) is placed until the pause is lifted. This is not a denial — the case is pending. See details below |
| Ukrainians | Ukraine is NOT on the list of 75 countries. You can file either via I-485 (if in the U.S.) or via consulate (if abroad) |
Why filing I-485 now is critically important (even if retrogression returns):
Filing I-485 while dates are Current "locks in" these benefits:
1. EAD (Employment Authorization Document) — right to work for any employer
2. Advance Parole — right to limited travel abroad
3. Protection from retrogression — your FILED application is not cancelled if dates roll back; it is simply "frozen" until dates return
If you DO NOT file while Current — and dates retrogress in June–September — you will lose this opportunity for an indefinite period.
What actually happens for those who are ABROAD (Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus)
Bulletin Current = no date queue. That is a fact. But the consular visa process currently looks like this:
The State Department continues to schedule applicants for interviews at consulates and embassies. Your date being Current removes the bulletin barrier.
The consular officer conducts the interview and may find you eligible for the visa.
Instead of issuing the visa, the embassy issues a 221(g) administrative hold and places the case "on hold." This is NOT a permanent denial — the case is in waiting until the suspension for the 75 countries is lifted.
221(g) hold is not a denial. Your case is not closed. When the suspension is lifted (by administration decision or court order), the consulate will resume processing your case. You will not need to retake the interview or resubmit documents.
What could change the situation: On February 2, 2026, a federal lawsuit was filed challenging the suspension of visa issuance for the 75 countries. If a court finds the policy unlawful — normal visa processing will resume, and those who had their cases held because of the pause will be able to continue obtaining their immigrant visas. Follow the news for updates.
Which CIS countries are affected by the pause
Full list of CIS countries whose citizens are subject to the suspension of immigrant visa issuance (as of February 2, 2026, source: Immigrant Visa Processing Updates, travel.state.gov):
| Country | In pause? | Consular post for interview |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | Yes | Warsaw |
| Belarus | Yes | Warsaw |
| Kazakhstan | Yes | Almaty |
| Uzbekistan | Yes | By country of residence |
| Kyrgyzstan | Yes | By country of residence |
| Moldova | Yes | By country of residence |
| Armenia | Yes | By country of residence |
| Azerbaijan | Yes | By country of residence |
| Ukraine | No | Kyiv (but there are wartime restrictions) |
| Georgia | Check the current list | By country of residence |
Exception: dual citizenship. If you hold a passport of a country NOT on the list of 75, you can apply using that passport. For example, a Russian citizen with an Israeli passport can apply as an Israeli citizen. This is explicitly stated in the State Department FAQ. However, chargeability (the country used for the bulletin) is still determined by country of BIRTH.
Ukraine: a special case
Ukraine is NOT on the list of 75 countries — Ukrainians may undergo consular processing. However, the Kyiv consulate warns: having a U.S. immigrant visa does not necessarily grant the right to leave Ukraine under martial law restrictions. Men aged 23–60 may face exit restrictions under Ukrainian law — this is a Ukrainian, not a U.S., restriction.
DV lottery: full pause
Separate from employment visas: As of December 23, 2025, the State Department imposed a full pause on Diversity Visa (DV) issuance — WITHOUT exceptions. DV-2026 entrants may be interviewed, but visas will not be issued. The DV-2026 deadline remains September 30, 2026. More: Diversity Visa Issuance Updated Guidance.
Timeline of events 2025–2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2025 | NVC begins scheduling interviews by country of residence/citizenship (new rules) |
| December 23, 2025 | State Department imposes a full pause on Diversity Visa issuance without exceptions |
| January 21, 2026 | State Department suspends immigrant visa issuance for citizens of 75 countries (including Russia and part of the CIS) |
| February 2, 2026 | Federal lawsuit filed challenging the suspension for 75 countries |
| April 2026 | Visa Bulletin: EB-1 and EB-2 Current for All Chargeability Areas |
| September 30, 2026 | End of FY2026. DV-2026 deadline. Possible EB-2 retrogression |
“All Chargeability Areas” — what it means
The Visa Bulletin has separate lines only for the four countries with the highest demand: China, India, Mexico, Philippines. ALL other countries fall into the category “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed” (shortened as “Rest of World” or ROW).
This includes: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, all of Europe, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, all of Africa — and all other countries.
Country is determined by BIRTH, not citizenship. If you were born in Russia but hold Kazakhstani citizenship — for the bulletin you are "Russia" (= ROW, no queue). If you were born in India but live in Germany and hold a German passport — for the bulletin you are "India" (12+ year queue). Country of birth cannot be changed.
History: how the EB-2 queue appeared and where it is now
To understand why the bulletin is Current now and how rare this opportunity is, you need the background.
Why does a queue appear at all?
Imagine a movie theater with 140,000 seats (the annual limit for employment green cards). Seats are divided into sections: EB-1 (first preference), EB-2 (second), EB-3 (third), etc. Plus the rule: no more than 7% of seats for a single country of birth.
When demand is less than seats — everyone gets in immediately (Current). When demand is higher — a queue forms, and you wait for your priority date to be reached. India and China are always overfilled due to huge applicant numbers. For Russia and most other countries, the “section” is usually only partially filled.
How it used to be: years without a queue
Until late 2022, EB-2 for ROW (including Russia) was practically always Current. If your I-140 was approved — you filed I-485 immediately. There was no queue. This was the norm FOR DECADES.
2022–2025: a queue appears for the first time
In December 2022 something unexpected happened — for the first time in years a cutoff date was set for ROW. What does that mean in practice? Previously you got I-140 approval and immediately filed I-485. Now you were told: “Your date is January 2023, but we are currently processing only November 2022. Wait.”
This shocked many who were used to instant processing.
Timeline
| Period | What was seen in the bulletin | What it meant in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Before 2022 | Current | I-140 approved — immediately file for green card. No waiting |
| December 2022 | Cutoff: November 1, 2022 | For the first time in years: “your number hasn’t come up yet, wait.” Shock |
| 2023 | Dates fluctuated between 2022–2023 | Wait of 6–18 months. Unusually long for ROW |
| August 2025 | Cutoff rolled back to September 1, 2023 | End of fiscal year — numbers exhausted. Retrogression |
| October 2025 | Cutoff: December 1, 2023 | New fiscal year — fresh numbers, dates move forward |
| January 2026 | Cutoff: April 1, 2024 | Fast forward movement |
| March 2026 | Current (Table B) | Filing dates — I-485 can be filed |
| April 2026 | Current (both tables) | Full restoration. No queue. File now |
Why Current returned — and why it may go away
Current in April 2026 does not mean “everything is fixed forever.” It’s the result of specific administration actions (suspension of visas for 75 countries) that ARTIFICIALLY reduced demand for visa numbers. When fewer people receive consular visas — numbers are “freed up” for those filing inside the U.S.
If restrictions are lifted (by court decision or administration), demand will return and dates may retrogress. The bulletin warns: “retrogression may be necessary later in the fiscal year.”
Conclusion: Current for ROW is a window of opportunity, not a new norm. If your I-140 is approved and you are in the U.S. — file I-485 NOW. Even if dates later roll back — your FILED application is not cancelled, it is "frozen" until dates return. Plus you will receive EAD (work authorization) and Advance Parole (travel document).
Cross-Chargeability: a handy trick for India and China
If your spouse was born in a country with better dates, you can use their country of birth. This is called cross-chargeability.
Example: You were born in India (EB-2: 12+ year queue), your wife was born in Russia (EB-2: Current). You can cross-charge to Russia and file immediately.
Conditions:
- Both spouses must file for the green card TOGETHER (you cannot cross-charge and then file separately)
- Determined by country of BIRTH, not citizenship
- Works both ways: the principal applicant can use the derivative spouse’s country of birth
FAQ
What is retrogression?
Retrogression is when a date in the bulletin MOVES BACK. For example, in July the date was “01JAN23”, and in August it became “01SEP22” — that means dates moved back 4 months. This happens when USCIS/State Department sees that visa numbers will not be sufficient through the end of the fiscal year (September 30). Your petition is not cancelled — you simply wait longer.
What is the fiscal year and why does it matter?
The U.S. government fiscal year runs October 1 – September 30. New visa number quotas open on October 1. Therefore, at the start of the fiscal year (October–December) dates usually move forward, and toward the end (August–September) they may roll back — numbers run out. April 2026 = mid FY2026, Current for ROW.
How often is the bulletin updated?
Once a month. Usually published in the second–third week of the previous month. For example, the May 2026 bulletin will be published around April 15–20, 2026. You can subscribe to notifications at travel.state.gov.
I filed I-140 but the date is not Current. What should I do?
Wait. Your priority date is locked. When the bulletin’s date reaches your priority date — you can file I-485 (if in the U.S.) or start consular processing (if abroad). Meanwhile, monitor the bulletin monthly. Dates sometimes jump forward several months at once.
Is EB-1 affected by the bulletin too?
Formally yes, but in practice EB-1 is almost always Current for all countries. Rare retrogressions occur in August–September (end of fiscal year) and usually last 1–2 months. For EB-1A/EB-1B from Russia this is practically not an issue.
What does the letter 'U' in the bulletin mean?
“U” means “Unavailable.” If you see “U” in a cell — visas in that category for that country are completely exhausted. You cannot file; wait for the next month (or for the start of the new fiscal year on October 1). “U” is very rare for EB-1 and ROW EB-2, but common for EB-2 India and China.
What is form I-797 and where to find the Priority Date?
I-797 (Notice of Action) is the notice from USCIS you receive after filing or approval of a petition like I-140. Your Priority Date — the date USCIS received your petition — is listed near the top of I-797. This date is locked to you and determines your place in the Visa Bulletin queue. Compare your Priority Date to the date in the bulletin: if your date is earlier — you can file.
What happens in retrogression if I-485 is already filed?
If you have already filed I-485 and dates later retrogress — your application is NOT denied. It is simply “frozen” (suspended) at USCIS until your date becomes Current again. The application remains at the same service center. When the date returns — processing will resume. USCIS recommends keeping your address up to date and notifying them of any changes.
Two paths after I-140 approval
After I-140 approval and when your date in the bulletin is Current, you have two paths to a green card:
File form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). This changes your current status (F-1, H-1B, O-1, B1/B2, etc.) to permanent resident status. You remain in the U.S. throughout the process.
File form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) through the National Visa Center (NVC). Attend an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country. Receive an immigrant visa, enter the U.S. and receive your green card.
O-1 and the bulletin: The O-1 visa is a NONIMMIGRANT (work) visa. The bulletin does NOT affect it. If you hold O-1 and want a green card — you must separately file an I-140 petition in EB-1A or EB-2 NIW. After I-140 approval, watch the bulletin.
Glossary of terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Priority Date | The date USCIS received your I-140 petition. Your “ticket in line.” Find it on form I-797 (Notice of Action) |
| Final Action Date | The date in the bulletin (Table A) showing which applications are currently being approved |
| Filing Date | The date in the bulletin (Table B) showing who can FILE I-485/DS-260 |
| Current (“C”) | Visas available, no queue. You can file immediately |
| Unavailable (“U”) | Visas are completely exhausted. Wait for the next month |
| Retrogression | Dates moved backward. If your date is no longer Current — you wait |
| Chargeability | The country you are “charged to” — determined by country of BIRTH |
| Cross-chargeability | Using the spouse’s country of birth to get a more favorable date |
| I-140 | Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker — the first step |
| I-485 | Application to Adjust Status — the second step (inside the U.S.) |
| DS-260 | Immigrant Visa Application — the second step (abroad) |
| I-797 | Notice of Action from USCIS — contains your Priority Date |
| NVC | National Visa Center — handles consular cases |
| Employment-Based Preferences | The bulletin section for employment categories (EB-1 through EB-5) |
Disclaimer: Information on this page is current as of April 7, 2026 and is provided for educational purposes only. The Visa Bulletin is updated monthly, and administration policies may change at any time. Always verify current data on official sites: travel.state.gov (the bulletin) and uscis.gov (which chart to use). For legal questions consult an immigration attorney.