DOL Updates
As of 03/12/2026, the Department of Labor is reviewing the Labor Certifications (LC) filed in November 2024.
Check Processing Times| PERM Processing Times (as of 03/12/2026) | |
|---|---|
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
| Analyst Review | November 2024 |
| Audit Review | June 2025 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | September 2025 |
BDV Numbers
BDV approvals for Q1 (January through March) 2026:
| BDV Approval Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Labor Certificate approvals | 0 |
| I-140 approvals | 0 |
| I-765 approvals | 0 |
| Green Card / Immigrant Visa approvals | 0 |
USCIS Updates — Visa Bulletin
The April 2026 Visa Bulletin has been released. For EB-3 Unskilled, the priority dates for April are:
USCIS has confirmed that for all employment-based preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for April 2026.
Govt Relations
Expert insights to help you navigate your EB-3 journey | Key updates and policy changes you need to know | Live Q&A — get your immigration questions answered!
What You Need to Know
Visa Bulletin Changes
Live: Visa Update — Chris Richardson breaks down the newest Visa Bulletin changes, what the latest movement means for your case, and who may be closer to approval.
USCIS No Longer Issues Social Security Number with EAD
In January, USCIS issued a new version of the Form I-765, which is used to request employment authorization while the I-485 green card application is pending. A social security number is required to work in the United States.
The form no longer has the option to request a social security number at the same time as the EAD. Instead, once the EAD card is issued, BDV clients will need to bring their EAD card and passport to the local office of the Social Security Administration. That office will issue a social security number and card, which can be used for work authorization along with the EAD.
USCIS Increases Premium Processing Fee
On March 1st, USCIS increased the premium processing fee for certain forms from $2,805 to $2,965, a $160 increase. Every two years, USCIS will raise the premium processing fee to account for inflation. The 15-day premium processing option is available for the Form I-140 petition, and BDV clients can choose whether to pay for premium processing or have the I-140 filed as regular processing.
As a reminder, USCIS does not offer premium processing of the Form I-485 adjustment of status application.
Visa Bulletin Movement
The April 2026 Visa Bulletin revealed forward movement in the EB-3 "Other Workers" (unskilled) category. This advancement allows many applicants with priority dates BEFORE 1AUG22 to move forward with filing adjustment of status or immigrant visa processing, reflecting steady progress in a severely backlogged category.
Please rest assured that if your priority date is current, BDV will be reaching out to discuss the next steps in your green card journey. We appreciate your patience, and we are here for you!
Resource Spotlight
The April 2026 Visa Bulletin brought significant and exciting movement for EB-3 unskilled applicants. If you have questions about what it means for your case, this article has the answers.
There have been significant and exciting movements in the March and April Visa Bulletin. Find out if your priority date is now current, what the next steps are, and what this means for your green card journey.
Success Story
%20Large.jpeg)
"BDV service is amazing! They helped my family through the green card process. They are present and have the key strategies to get successful in the process."
— Kauany Servilla
Priority Date — 12/22/2021
Green Card Approved — 03/04/2026 AOS