By: Gladys Gervacio
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the February 2026 Visa Bulletin, which outlines the availability of immigrant visas for family-sponsored and employment-based categories according to applicants’ priority date.
Changes in February 2026 Visa Bulletin
According to the February 2026 Visa Bulletin, the employment-based “Final Action” chart will advance in the following categories:
- EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers:
- All other countries other than those listed will advance by five weeks to June 1, 2023.
The employment-based “Dates for Filing” chart will advance in the following categories:
- EB-3 Professional and Skilled Workers:
- All other countries except for China and India will advance by three months to October 1, 2023.
The Visa Bulletin has two different charts per visa preference category:
Final Action Dates (Chart A)
- This determines when a visa number is available for issuance based on an applicant’s priority date. If a category shows a specific date (e.g., "01JAN25"), only applicants with a priority date before that date are eligible; if it shows "C" (Current): Visas are available to all applicants regardless of priority date; and if it shows "U" (Unavailable): Visas are unavailable for issuance.
Dates for Filing (Chart B)
- For consular processing (outside the U.S.): The Dates for Filing chart lists the earliest priority dates when the National Visa Center (NVC) will notify applicants to assemble and submit civil documents and fees.
For Adjustment of Status (filing Form I-485 in the U.S.): Each month, USCIS decides which chart an applicant may use to file the I-485, Adjustment of Status (AOS) application. If USCIS determines that there are enough immigrant visas available to accommodate additional filings, it then lists the Dates for Filing chart to be used for AOS filings that month. Otherwise, the applicant must wait until their priority date becomes current under Final Action Dates to file the I-485, AOS application.
USCIS has announced that it will accept the Dates for Filing chart for February 2026 Adjustment of Status filings.
Final Action Date Chart (Chart A):
- EB-1:
- China: February 1, 2023
- India: February 1, 2023
- All other countries not listed above: Current.
- EB-2:
- China: September 1, 2021
- India: July 15, 2013
- All other countries not listed above: April 1, 2024
- EB-3 (Professionals/Skilled):
- China: May 1, 2021
- India: November 15, 2013
- All other countries not listed above: June 1, 2023
- EB-3 Other Workers:
- China: December 8, 2018
- India: November 15, 2013
- All other countries not listed above: September 1, 2021
- EB-4:
- All countries: January 1, 2021
- Certain Religious Workers: Unavailable
- EB-5 (Unreserved):
- China: August 15, 2016
- India: May 1, 2022
- All other countries not listed above: Current.
- Set-Aside (Rural/High Unemployment/Infrastructure): Current
Dates for Filing (Chart B):
- EB-1:
- China: August 1, 2023
- India: August 1, 2023
- All countries not listed above: Current
- EB-2:
- China: January 1, 2022
- India: December 1, 2013
- All countries not listed above: October 15, 2024
- EB-3:
- China: January 1, 2022
- India: August 15, 2014
- All countries not listed above: October 1, 2023
- Other Workers:
- China: October 1, 2019
- India: August 15, 2014
- All countries not listed above: December 1, 2021
- EB-4:
- All countries: March 15, 2021
- EB-4 SR Certain Religious Workers:
- All Countries: Unavailable
- EB-5 Unreserved:
- China: August 22, 2016
- India: May 1, 2024
- Set-Asides Current
If your priority date is earlier than the date listed in Chart B (Dates for Filing) for your EB category, please contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration professional to discuss next steps.
