Immigration Lawyer Blog
Are you applying for an immigrant visa and want to know when your priority date will become current? Then you won’t want to miss our analysis of the February 2026 Visa Bulletin.
In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick explains what you can expect to see in terms of the movement of the family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories in the new year.
USCIS Adjustment of Status
For adjustment of status filings to permanent residence in the month of February, USCIS will be using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
Highlights of the February 2026 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of February?
Employment-Based Categories
Final Action Advancements
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- Except India and China, all countries will advance by 5.7 weeks to June 1, 2023
Dates for Filing Advancements
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- Except India and China, all other countries will advance by 3 months to October 1, 2023
Family-Sponsored Categories
Final Action Advancements
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 3.7 months to December 22, 2006
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance by 3 months to February 15, 2009
Dates for Filing Advancements
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 3 months to December 1, 2007
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- All countries will advance by 1 month to January 22, 2026
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance by 3 months to February 15, 2010
Employment-Based Categories
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories in the month of February.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India and China will remain at February 1, 2023
- All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will remain at July 15, 2013
- EB-2 China will remain at September 1, 2021
- All other countries will remain at April 1, 2024
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at November 15, 2013
- EB-3 China will remain at May 1, 2021
- All other countries will advance by 5.7 weeks to June 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at November 15, 2013
- EB-3 China will remain at December 8, 2018
- All other countries will remain at September 1, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants & Religious Workers
- All countries will remain at January 1, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will remain at May 1, 2022
- EB-5 China will remain at August 15, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will remain current
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01FEB23 | 01FEB23 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01APR24 | 01SEP21 | 15JUL13 | 01APR24 | 01APR24 |
| 3rd | 01JUN23 | 01MAY21 | 15NOV13 | 01JUN23 | 01JUN23 |
| Other Workers | 01SEP21 | 08DEC18 | 15NOV13 | 01SEP21 | 01SEP21 |
| 4th | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) |
C | 15AUG16 | 01MAY22 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%, including NR, RR) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%, including NH, RH) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%, including RI) |
C | C | C | C | C |
DATES FOR FILING FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply in February.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India and China will remain at August 1, 2023
- All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will remain at December 1, 2013
- EB-2 China will remain at January 1, 2022
- All other countries will remain at October 15, 2024
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at August 15, 2014
- EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2022
- All other countries will advance by 3 months to October 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at August 15, 2014
- EB-3 China will remain at October 1, 2019
- All other countries will remain at December 1, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants & Religious Workers
- EB-4 will remain at March 15, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will remain at May 1, 2024
- EB-5 China will remain at August 22, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01AUG23 | 01AUG23 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15OCT24 | 01JAN22 | 01DEC13 | 15OCT24 | 15OCT24 |
| 3rd | 01OCT23 | 01JAN22 | 15AUG14 | 01OCT23 | 01OCT23 |
| Other Workers | 01DEC21 | 01OCT19 | 15AUG14 | 01DEC21 | 01DEC21 |
| 4th | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 22AUG16 | 01MAY24 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Rural: NR, RR – 20%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment: NH, RH – 10%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure: RI – 2%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of February.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 3.7 months to December 22, 2006
- F1 Philippines will remain at March 1, 2013
- F1 All other countries will remain at November 8, 2016
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A Mexico will remain at February 1, 2023
- F2A All other countries will remain at February 1, 2024
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance by 3 months to February 15, 2009
- F2B Philippines will remain at December 22, 2012
- F2B All other countries will remain at December 1, 2016
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at May 1, 2001
- F3 Philippines will remain at March 1, 2005
- F3 All other countries will remain at September 8, 2011
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 8, 2001
- F4 Philippines will remain at July 22, 2006
- F4 India will remain at November 1, 2006
- F4 All other countries will remain at January 8, 2008
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | 22DEC06 | 01MAR13 |
| F2A | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB23 | 01FEB24 |
| F2B | 01DEC16 | 01DEC16 | 01DEC16 | 15FEB09 | 22DEC12 |
| F3 | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | 01MAY01 | 01MAR05 |
| F4 | 08JAN08 | 08JAN08 | 01NOV06 | 08APR01 | 22JUL06 |
DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of February.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 3 months to December 1, 2007
- F1 Philippines will remain at April 22, 2015
- All other countries will remain at September 1, 2017
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- All countries will advance by 1 month to January 22, 2026
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance by 3 months to February 15, 2010
- F2B Philippines will remain at October 1, 2013
- F2B All other countries will remain at March 15, 2017
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at July 1, 2001
- F3 Philippines will remain at February 1, 2006
- F3 All other countries will remain at July 22, 2012
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 30, 2001
- F4 Philippines will remain at January 15, 2008
- F4 India will remain at December 15, 2006
- All other countries will remain at March 1, 2009
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01DEC07 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 22JAN26 | 22JAN26 | 22JAN26 | 22JAN26 | 22JAN26 |
| F2B | 15MAR17 | 15MAR17 | 15MAR17 | 15FEB10 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 01JUL01 | 01FEB06 |
| F4 | 01MAR09 | 01MAR09 | 15DEC06 | 30APR01 | 15JAN08 |
Conclusion
The February visa bulletin shows little movement, largely because significant forward progress occurred in the previous month. Notably in the Final Action Dates, except for India and China, EB-3 Professional and Skilled Workers will advance by almost 6 weeks to June 1, 2023.
In the Dates for Filing, except for India and China, EB-3 Professional and Skilled Workers will advance by 3 months to October 2, 2023.
In the family-sponsored categories, in the Final Action chart F1 Mexico will advance 3.7 months to December 22, 2006, and F2B Mexico will advance 3 months to February 15, 2009.
In the Dates for Filing chart, F1 Mexico will advance 3 months to December 1, 2007, F2A all countries will advance 1 month to January 22, 2026, and F2B Mexico will advance 3 months to February 15, 2010.
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