The February 2026 Visa Bulletin, released by the U.S. Department of State as part of the monthly visa bulletin, provides important guidance on immigrant visas, including updated final action dates, dates for filing, and overall immigrant visa availability. These updates in the latest US visa bulletin determine when eligible immigrant visa applicants may proceed with adjustment of status or immigrant visa issuance through consular processing.
For February 2026, employment-based (EB) Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing largely remain unchanged. The primary exception is modest advancement in the EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers category for countries other than China and India. Applicants impacted by the long-standing Indian green card backlog continue to face extended wait times across multiple preference categories.
How Visa Availability Is Determined
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the INA prescribes preference classes for both family-sponsored immigrant visas and employment-based preference visas. The government numerically limits these preference immigrant visas and subjects them to annual limits, per-country limits, and employment-based preference limits.
Visa availability is determined by comparing an applicant’s priority date with the applicable cutoff date published in the final action dates chart or the filing chart. When a priority date falls earlier than the listed date, a visa number may be allocated through the monthly allocation process. However, due to high demand, not all demand can be met each month.
Final Action Dates – Employment-Based Categories
The Department of State’s February 2026 Visa Bulletin sets the following Final Action Dates for immigrant visa issuance and adjustment of status approvals:
EB-1 (Priority Workers)
- China: February 1, 2023
- India: February 1, 2023
- All other countries: Current
EB-2 (Members of the Professions with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability)
- China: September 1, 2021
- India: July 15, 2013
- All other countries: April 1, 2024
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- China: May 1, 2021
- India: November 15, 2013
- All other countries: June 1, 2023 (advanced five weeks)
EB-3 Other Workers
- China: December 8, 2018
- India: November 15, 2013
- All other countries: September 1, 2021
EB-4 (Except Certain Religious Workers)
- All countries: January 1, 2021
EB-5 Immigrant Investors (Unreserved)
- China: August 15, 2016
- India: May 1, 2022
- All other countries: Current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure)
- All countries: Current
While EB-3 Worldwide shows limited forward movement, applicants from India remain heavily impacted by the Indian green card backlog, particularly in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories, where priority dates remain significantly retrogressed.
Dates for Filing – February 2026
The Dates for Filing chart remains unchanged for most categories and countries. The EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers (Worldwide) category shows a notable exception, advancing by three months and allowing more eligible immigrants to begin filing visa applications.
In the coming days, USCIS will determine whether applicants may rely on the Final Action Dates chart or the Dates for Filing chart for adjustment of status filings. Applicants should confirm USCIS guidance before submitting applications to avoid rejection or delay.
EB-4 Certain Religious Workers: Imminent Expiration Risk
The EB-4 Certain Religious Workers (SR) program will expire on January 30, 2026, unless Congress reauthorizes it. If lawmakers do not extend the program:
- No SR immigrant visas may be issued by embassies abroad
- USCIS will be unable to approve or finalize pending cases after January 29, 2026
- Immigrant visas issued before expiration will be valid only until January 29, 2026
If extended, the Final Action Date of January 1, 2021, would continue to apply throughout February 2026.
Key Takeaways for Applicants and Employers
- EB-3 Worldwide applicants may benefit from earlier filing eligibility and modest final action movement, as per the February 2026 Visa Bulletin.
- Applicants affected by the Indian green card backlog should plan for continued delays due to numerical limits and per-country caps.
- Religious workers and sponsoring organizations should closely monitor legislative developments.
- Employers and foreign nationals should confirm USCIS filing instructions before submitting applications.
Given the complexity of employment-based preference rules and shifting visa availability, consulting an experienced immigration lawyer for a green card can help applicants assess strategy, maintain eligibility, and respond effectively to evolving visa bulletin trends as the fiscal year progresses. Immigration lawyers at The Law Office of Abhisha Parikh are up-to-date with current updates and can assist you in deciding and filing for the suitable visa and achieving it.
