The U.S. Department of State released the March 2026 Visa Bulletin on 20 February, showing notable forward movement for China-born applicants in key employment-based categories. Under the Dates-for-Filing chart, EB-1 for China jumps four months to 1 December 2023, while EB-2 advances two months to 1 October 2016.
![U.S. March 2026 Visa Bulletin advances EB-1 and EB-2 for China, easing backlog pressure]()
At this juncture, applicants and HR teams may also find value in partnering with VisaHQ, whose China desk streamlines visa and document legalization for employees and family members heading overseas or returning for consular processing. The company’s online portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) offers real-time tracking, bulk order management, and dedicated account support—tools that complement green-card strategies by keeping travel paperwork on schedule.
The EB-5 unreserved category inches ahead to 1 October 2016 as well. USCIS has confirmed that it will accept adjustment-of-status filings using the Dates-for-Filing chart in March. Chinese professionals on L-1, H-1B or F-1 OPT status who are current may therefore file complete green-card packets—including medicals—gaining work-and-travel authorization (EAD/AP) within four to six months even if final action dates retrogress later. Global-mobility teams of multinationals with large Chinese talent pools in the United States should pre-screen employees quickly; medical-exam appointments and premium-processing slots can be scarce. Applicants whose priority dates are close to the new cut-offs should secure hard-copy I-140 approvals or upgrade pending petitions to premium processing to meet the filing window. For assignees outside the U.S., the bulletin signals that immigrant-visa interview queues at Guangzhou consulate may shorten in late 2026 if the trend continues, potentially allowing faster permanent transfers. However, future demand remains unpredictable; employers are advised to initiate I-485 filings as soon as March opens and to budget for possible attorney overtime.
At this juncture, applicants and HR teams may also find value in partnering with VisaHQ, whose China desk streamlines visa and document legalization for employees and family members heading overseas or returning for consular processing. The company’s online portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) offers real-time tracking, bulk order management, and dedicated account support—tools that complement green-card strategies by keeping travel paperwork on schedule.
The EB-5 unreserved category inches ahead to 1 October 2016 as well. USCIS has confirmed that it will accept adjustment-of-status filings using the Dates-for-Filing chart in March. Chinese professionals on L-1, H-1B or F-1 OPT status who are current may therefore file complete green-card packets—including medicals—gaining work-and-travel authorization (EAD/AP) within four to six months even if final action dates retrogress later. Global-mobility teams of multinationals with large Chinese talent pools in the United States should pre-screen employees quickly; medical-exam appointments and premium-processing slots can be scarce. Applicants whose priority dates are close to the new cut-offs should secure hard-copy I-140 approvals or upgrade pending petitions to premium processing to meet the filing window. For assignees outside the U.S., the bulletin signals that immigrant-visa interview queues at Guangzhou consulate may shorten in late 2026 if the trend continues, potentially allowing faster permanent transfers. However, future demand remains unpredictable; employers are advised to initiate I-485 filings as soon as March opens and to budget for possible attorney overtime.
