EB2 visa applicants can apply for their green cards?

EB-2 Green Card Eligibility—March 2026 Update Following the March 2026 Visa Bulletin update, certain individuals with an approved EB-2 I-140 petition may now be eligible to apply for permanent residence.

The EB-2 category is intended for professionals who either:

• Hold an advanced degree (master’s or higher, or a bachelor’s degree plus at least five years of experience), or

• Demonstrate exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business through specific evidentiary criteria such as professional recognition, certifications, memberships, significant contributions, and extensive experience. However, having an approved I-140 alone does not automatically make someone eligible to apply for a green card.

To file for Adjustment of Status inside the United States, a person generally must:

• Have been lawfully admitted into the U.S.

• Not have accumulated more than 180 days of unlawful presence

• Not have serious criminal or other disqualifying issues

Eligible applicants may also request work authorization and advance parole (travel permits) while their green card application is pending.

For individuals applying from outside the United States through consular processing, the rules and timelines are different. An approved I-140 does not automatically mean an immigrant visa is immediately available abroad; applicants must wait until the visa category is fully current for consular issuance.

While this development represents positive news for many professionals, eligibility depends on individual circumstances, and each case should be carefully evaluated.