January 2026 Visa Bulletin: Official Final Action Dates & Filing Charts
Complete official data for Employment-Based (EB-1 to EB-5), Family-Sponsored (F1-F4), and Diversity Visa (DV-2026) categories from DOS Publication 9514, released December 2, 2025.
FY2026 STATUTORY LIMITS
Annual Visa Allocation Numbers
FAMILY-SPONSORED
226,000
Per INA Section 201
EMPLOYMENT-BASED
140,000+
Minimum allocation
PER-COUNTRY LIMIT
7%
25,620 visas max
DIVERSITY VISA
~52,000
Reduced by NACARA/NDAA
Section 202 Per-Country Limit: 7% of combined family + employment preference visas = 25,620 visas per country. Dependent areas limited to 2% (7,320). Currently oversubscribed: China (mainland-born), India, Mexico, Philippines.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS – OFFICIAL DATA
JAN 2026 OFFICIAL
- EB-1 India Major Advancement: Final Action jumped from 15MAR22 to 01FEB23 (+322 days / ~10.7 months forward) – significant progress!
- EB-2 India Final Action: Advanced from 15MAY13 to 15JUL13 (+61 days). Current backlog ~12.4 years from January 2026.
- EB-2 China Final Action: Advanced from 01JUN21 to 01SEP21 (+92 days / ~3 months forward). Stronger movement than predicted.
- EB-3 India Final Action: Advanced from 22SEP13 to 15NOV13 (+54 days). Tracking ahead of EB-2 India by ~4 months.
- EB-3 Other Workers China: Massive jump from 08DEC17 to 08DEC18 (+365 days / exactly 1 year forward).
- EB-5 India Unreserved: Major advancement from 01JUL21 to 01MAY22 (+304 days / ~10 months forward).
- Family F3 Philippines: Jumped from 01NOV04 to 22JUL06 (+628 days / ~1.7 years forward) – exceptional movement continues.
- Family F4 Philippines: Retrogressed from 15JUL06 to 01MAR05 (-501 days / ~1.4 years backward).
- DV-2026 Cutoffs (January): Africa 35,000, Asia 15,000 (Nepal 6,000), Europe 8,500. February cutoffs also announced.
- EB-4 Religious Workers (SR) CRITICAL: Category expires January 30, 2026 (H.R. 5371). All applicants must be admitted into US by midnight January 29, 2026.
EB-2 Final Action Movement (Dec 2025 → Jan 2026)
🌍
REST OF WORLD
+59 days
01FEB24 → 01APR24
🇨🇳
CHINA
+92 days
01JUN21 → 01SEP21
🇮🇳
INDIA
+61 days
15MAY13 → 15JUL13
🇲🇽
MEXICO
+59 days
01FEB24 → 01APR24
🇵🇭
PHILIPPINES
+59 days
01FEB24 → 01APR24
EMPLOYMENT-BASED FINAL ACTION DATES
EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES
OFFICIAL DATA
Final Action Dates – January 2026
EB-1: PRIORITY WORKERS
FIRST PREFERENCE | 28.6% of EB visas
| Country | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 (Official) | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | Current | Current | No Change |
| China-mainland born | 22JAN23 | 01FEB23 | +10 days |
| India | 15MAR22 | 01FEB23 | +322 days (~10.7 mo) |
| Mexico | Current | Current | No Change |
| Philippines | Current | Current | No Change |
EB-1 includes: EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability), EB-1B (Outstanding Professors/Researchers), EB-1C (Multinational Managers/Executives). India saw exceptional advancement of nearly 11 months!
EB-2: ADVANCED DEGREE / EXCEPTIONAL ABILITY
SECOND PREFERENCE | 28.6% of EB visas
| Country | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 (Official) | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 01FEB24 | 01APR24 | +59 days |
| China-mainland born | 01JUN21 | 01SEP21 | +92 days (~3 mo) |
| India | 15MAY13 | 15JUL13 | +61 days |
| Mexico | 01FEB24 | 01APR24 | +59 days |
| Philippines | 01FEB24 | 01APR24 | +59 days |
EB-2 includes: PERM Labor Certification route and National Interest Waiver (NIW). India backlog is approximately 12.4 years. China saw strong 3-month advancement.
EB-3: SKILLED WORKERS & PROFESSIONALS
THIRD PREFERENCE | 28.6% of EB visas
| Country | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 (Official) | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 15APR23 | 22APR23 | +7 days |
| China-mainland born | 01APR21 | 01MAY21 | +30 days |
| India | 22SEP13 | 15NOV13 | +54 days |
| Mexico | 15APR23 | 22APR23 | +7 days |
| Philippines | 15APR23 | 22APR23 | +7 days |
EB-3: OTHER WORKERS (EW)
THIRD PREFERENCE – EW | Max 10,000/year (reduced by NACARA ~150 for FY2026)
| Country | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 (Official) | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 01AUG21 | 01SEP21 | +31 days |
| China-mainland born | 08DEC17 | 08DEC18 | +365 days (1 year!) |
| India | 22SEP13 | 15NOV13 | +54 days |
| Mexico | 01AUG21 | 01SEP21 | +31 days |
| Philippines | 01AUG21 | 01SEP21 | +31 days |
Note: China Other Workers saw a remarkable 1-year advancement! For FY2026, NACARA reduction is limited to approximately 150 visas.
EB-4: CERTAIN SPECIAL IMMIGRANTS
FOURTH PREFERENCE | 7.1% of EB visas
| Country | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 (Official) | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Countries | 01SEP20 | 01JAN21 | +122 days (~4 mo) |
| Certain Religious Workers (SR) | 01SEP20 | 01JAN21 | +122 days (~4 mo) |
CRITICAL SR DEADLINE: Religious Workers category expires January 30, 2026 (H.R. 5371). No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight January 29, 2026. All applicants must be admitted into the US by midnight January 29, 2026.
EB-5: IMMIGRANT INVESTORS
FIFTH PREFERENCE | 7.1% of EB visas
| Category / Country | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 (Official) | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unreserved – All Chargeability | Current | Current | No Change |
| Unreserved – China | 15JUL16 | 15AUG16 | +31 days |
| Unreserved – India | 01JUL21 | 01MAY22 | +304 days (~10 mo) |
| Unreserved – Mexico | Current | Current | No Change |
| Unreserved – Philippines | Current | Current | No Change |
| Set Aside: Rural (20%) | Current | Current | All Countries |
| Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) | Current | Current | All Countries |
| Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) | Current | Current | All Countries |
EB-5 Set-Asides (per RIA): 32% of EB-5 visas are reserved: 20% Rural, 10% High Unemployment, 2% Infrastructure. These remain Current for all countries including China. India Unreserved saw major 10-month advancement.
EMPLOYMENT-BASED DATES FOR FILING
EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES
OFFICIAL DATA
Dates for Filing Applications – January 2026
IMPORTANT NOTE
USCIS determines monthly whether applicants can use the “Dates for Filing” chart instead of “Final Action Dates” for adjustment of status applications. Check www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo each month for the applicable chart.
EB DATES FOR FILING – ALL CATEGORIES
FOR I-485 FILING ELIGIBILITY
| Category | Country | Jan 2026 (Official) |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | All Chargeability | Current |
| China | 01AUG23 | |
| India | 01AUG23 | |
| EB-2 | All Chargeability | 15OCT24 |
| China | 01JAN22 | |
| India | 01DEC13 | |
| Mexico / Philippines | Current | |
| EB-3 | All Chargeability | 01JUL23 |
| China | 01JAN22 | |
| India | 15AUG14 | |
| Mexico / Philippines | 15OCT24 | |
| Other Workers | All Chargeability | 01DEC21 |
| China | 01OCT19 | |
| India | 15AUG14 | |
| Mexico / Philippines | 01JUL23 | |
| EB-4 | All Countries | 15MAR21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | All Countries | 15MAR21 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | All Chargeability / Mexico / Philippines | Current |
| China | 22AUG16 | |
| India | 01MAY24 | |
| EB-5 Set-Asides | Rural / High Unemployment / Infrastructure | Current (All Countries) |
FAMILY-SPONSORED FINAL ACTION DATES
FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES
OFFICIAL DATA
Final Action Dates – January 2026
FY2026 FAMILY-SPONSORED VISA ALLOCATION (226,000 TOTAL)
F1 – UNMARRIED CHILDREN
23,400
+ unused F4
F2 – SPOUSES/CHILDREN
114,200
F2A: 77% | F2B: 23%
F3 – MARRIED CHILDREN
23,400
+ unused F1/F2
F4 – SIBLINGS
65,000
+ unused F1-F3
F2A Special Rule: 75% of F2A numbers are exempt from per-country limits. For January, exempt dates are earlier than 01FEB23; subject to limit dates are 01FEB23-01FEB24 (except Mexico – all exempt).
F1: UNMARRIED SONS/DAUGHTERS OF U.S. CITIZENS
FIRST PREFERENCE | 23,400 visas/year
| Country | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 (Official) | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | No Change |
| China-mainland born | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | No Change |
| India | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | No Change |
| Mexico | 01MAR06 | 01SEP06 | +184 days (~6 mo) |
| Philippines | 22JAN13 | 01MAR13 | +38 days |
F2A: SPOUSES & CHILDREN OF PERMANENT RESIDENTS
SECOND PREFERENCE | 77% of F2 (75% exempt from per-country limit)
| Country | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 (Official) | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | No Change |
| China-mainland born | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | No Change |
| India | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | No Change |
| Mexico | 01FEB23 | 01FEB23 | No Change |
| Philippines | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | No Change |
F2A Exempt/Subject Notes: Numbers EXEMPT from per-country limit authorized for priority dates earlier than 01FEB23. Numbers SUBJECT to per-country limit for dates 01FEB23 to 01FEB24 (except Mexico – all exempt).
F2B: UNMARRIED ADULT SONS/DAUGHTERS OF PERM. RESIDENTS
SECOND PREFERENCE | 23% of F2
| Country | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 (Official) | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 01DEC16 | 01DEC16 | No Change |
| China-mainland born | 01DEC16 | 01DEC16 | No Change |
| India | 01DEC16 | 01DEC16 | No Change |
| Mexico | 15MAY08 | 15NOV08 | +184 days (~6 mo) |
| Philippines | 08OCT12 | 22DEC12 | +75 days |
F3: MARRIED SONS/DAUGHTERS OF U.S. CITIZENS
THIRD PREFERENCE | 23,400 visas/year
| Country | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 (Official) | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | No Change |
| China-mainland born | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | No Change |
| India | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | No Change |
| Mexico | 01MAY01 | 01MAY01 | No Change |
| Philippines | 01NOV04 | 22JUL06 | +628 days (~1.7 yrs) |
F3 Note: Philippines showed exceptional movement of nearly 1.7 years forward! Mexico has an extremely long backlog (~24 years from 2001).
F4: BROTHERS/SISTERS OF ADULT U.S. CITIZENS
FOURTH PREFERENCE | 65,000 visas/year
| Country | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 (Official) | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 08JAN08 | 08JAN08 | No Change |
| China-mainland born | 08JAN08 | 08JAN08 | No Change |
| India | 01NOV06 | 01NOV06 | No Change |
| Mexico | 08APR01 | 08APR01 | No Change |
| Philippines | 15JUL06 | 01MAR05 | -501 days (~1.4 yrs) |
RETROGRESSION ALERT: F4 Philippines retrogressed approximately 1.4 years backward (15JUL06 → 01MAR05). Mexico backlog exceeds 24 years (priority date still at April 2001).
FAMILY-SPONSORED DATES FOR FILING
FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES
OFFICIAL DATA
Dates for Filing Applications – January 2026
FAMILY-SPONSORED DATES FOR FILING – ALL CATEGORIES
FOR I-485 FILING ELIGIBILITY
| Category | All Chargeability | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP07 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 22DEC25 | 22DEC25 | 22DEC25 | 22DEC25 | 22DEC25 |
| F2B | 15MAR17 | 15MAR17 | 15MAR17 | 15NOV09 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 01JUL01 | 15JAN08 |
| F4 | 01MAR09 | 01FEB06 | 01MAR09 | 30APR01 | 15DEC06 |
Note: F2A has remarkably current filing dates (22DEC25) for all countries – excellent for those seeking to file I-485 adjustment applications.
DIVERSITY VISA (DV-2026) LOTTERY CUTOFFS
DIVERSITY VISA PROGRAM
OFFICIAL DATA
DV-2026 January & February Cutoffs (Official)
The January 2026 bulletin includes both January and February DV cutoff numbers. DV-2026 annual limit is approximately 52,000 visas (reduced from 55,000 by NACARA ~150 and NDAA provisions). Numbers below are case numbers – applicants with rank numbers below these cutoffs may schedule interviews.
January 2026 DV Cutoffs
AFRICA
35,000
Except: Algeria: 20,000 | Egypt: 16,000
ASIA
15,000
Except: Nepal: 6,000
EUROPE
8,500
No country-specific limits
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS)
20
Only Bahamas eligible from NA
OCEANIA
1,100
Low demand region
SOUTH AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
1,850
Low demand region
February 2026 DV Cutoffs (Also Announced)
AFRICA
45,000
+10,000 from Jan
Except: Algeria: 37,000 | Egypt: 21,000
ASIA
30,000
+15,000 from Jan
Except: Nepal: 6,500
EUROPE
11,000
+2,500 from Jan
No country-specific limits
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS)
25
+5 from Jan
Only Bahamas eligible from NA
OCEANIA
1,175
+75 from Jan
Low demand region
SOUTH AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
2,000
+150 from Jan
Low demand region
DV-2026 DEADLINE REMINDER
Entitlement to DV-2026 status ends September 30, 2026. All selectees must complete visa issuance or adjustment of status by this date. DV availability could be exhausted before September 30 – act quickly if your number becomes current. Numbers cannot be taken for granted.
DV-2026 Program Information
Annual Limit: Approximately 52,000 visas (55,000 statutory minus ~150 NACARA adjustments minus NDAA reductions per Section 5104).
Ineligible countries for DV-2026: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela, Vietnam
KEY OBSERVATIONS
January 2026 Notable Movements
🇮🇳
India – Employment-Based
FINAL ACTION DATES TRENDS
EB-1
01FEB23
+322 days (~10.7 mo)
EB-2
15JUL13
+61 days (~2 mo)
EB-3
15NOV13
+54 days
EB-5 UNRES.
01MAY22
+304 days (~10 mo)
KEY METRICS
~12.4 yrs
EB-2 backlog
~12 yrs
EB-3 backlog
~2.9 yrs
EB-1 backlog
Strong
Movement pattern
🇨🇳
China – Employment-Based
FINAL ACTION DATES TRENDS
EB-1
01FEB23
+10 days
EB-2
01SEP21
+92 days (~3 mo)
EB-3
01MAY21
+30 days
EW (Other)
08DEC18
+365 days (1 yr!)
KEY METRICS
~4.3 yrs
EB-2 backlog
~4.7 yrs
EB-3 backlog
~2.9 yrs
EB-1 backlog
Very Strong
EW movement
ACTIONABLE GUIDANCE
Recommendations by Category
EB-2/EB-3 INDIA: PD 2013-2014
Action Required Now
- Your date is current or approaching. Ensure I-140 is approved and not revoked.
- Complete medical exam (I-693) – valid for 2 years from physician signature.
- Gather all civil documents (birth certificates, police clearances, etc.)
- EB-2 India at 15JUL13, EB-3 India at 15NOV13 – both advancing ~2 months/month.
EB-1 INDIA: PD 2022-2023
Great Progress!
- EB-1 India jumped nearly 11 months (to 01FEB23) – excellent news!
- If your PD is before February 2023, prepare for I-485 filing.
- EB-1A, EB-1B, and EB-1C applicants should prepare documents now.
- Consider premium processing for pending I-140s if available.
EB-4 RELIGIOUS WORKERS
Critical Deadline!
- URGENT: SR category expires January 30, 2026.
- Must be ADMITTED into US by midnight January 29, 2026.
- Final Action date at 01JAN21 – schedule interviews immediately.
- No extensions announced – act NOW if eligible.
OFFICIAL SOURCE
Data Source & Disclaimer
Official Source
Publication
Visa Bulletin Number 10, Volume XI
Issuing Agency
U.S. Department of State
Publication ID
DOS Publication 9514
Release Date
CA/VO: December 2, 2025
Effective Period
January 2026
Official Links
Visa Bulletin
travel.state.gov
USCIS Filing Info
uscis.gov/visabulletininfo
Filing Chart Selection
Check USCIS monthly
Demand Data
Received by December 2, 2025
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
This page presents official data from the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, always verify information directly with the official DOS Visa Bulletin and USCIS. Immigration laws and policies can change. Always consult with a qualified immigration attorney for advice specific to your situation. VisaVerge is not affiliated with USCIS or the U.S. Department of State.
