- USCIS adjustment cases currently take about 8 to 14 months for Form I-485 decisions as of January 2026.
- The February 2026 Visa Bulletin shows modest movement for Mexico in the F1 and F2B family-sponsored categories.
- The EB-4 employment category is listed as unavailable due to the Special Immigrant Religious Worker program authorization status.
(UNITED STATES) — As of january 2026, most adjustment-related uscis cases are still taking about 8 to 14 months for Form I-485 decisions, with many applicants seeing slower final approvals when interviews or security checks are required.
This month’s planning focus is the January 2026 vs. february 2026 visa bulletin comparison. Those bulletins set the Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing that control when a visa number can be issued, or when you may file.
Small shifts can change when you can submit Form I-485, Application to register permanent residence or Adjust Status, or complete consular processing steps.
January–February 2026 Visa Bulletin context: why this comparison matters
The Visa Bulletin is the Department of State’s monthly supply-and-demand report. It manages immigrant visa numbers under annual limits. Early fiscal-year months often show “controlled” movement.
That pattern helps you plan document collection and filing strategy.
Two charts matter each month:
- Final Action Dates: Your priority date must be earlier than the cut-off for USCIS to approve the green card. Consulates also need a current Final Action Date to issue the visa.
- Dates for Filing: These are often later than Final Action Dates. They can allow earlier filing. This is only useful for adjustment of status if USCIS says that chart may be used.
“Chargeability areas” are usually your country of birth. Oversubscribed countries can have separate cut-offs. That is why China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines often move differently.
Why the law, not policy, sets the yearly supply
Both bulletins operate under the same statutory limits. Most month-to-month movement reflects demand management, not a change in law.
The family-sponsored preference limit for FY 2026 is set at 226,000. The employment-based minimum is 140,000. Per-country limits also drive separate queues.
The practical eligibility filters shown in USCIS and DOS guidance still apply. They include having the right petition and category, a qualifying priority date, and being otherwise admissible.
They also include chart selection for Form I-485 cases, when USCIS updates which chart to use.
Family-sponsored Final Action Dates: what moved in February 2026
F1 covers unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of U.S. citizens. In February 2026, Mexico moved forward while most other chargeability areas stayed flat.
An advance means more applicants may become eligible for final action. It does not mean USCIS will approve immediately. Your case still needs background checks, and an interview if scheduled.
F2A and F2B: stability in F2A, modest movement for Mexico in F2B
F2A (spouses and children of permanent residents) stayed locked. This usually means high demand and reflects careful pacing of available numbers. Mexico has a separate F2A treatment; its cut-off differs from most other areas.
F2B (unmarried sons and daughters 21+ of permanent residents) showed incremental movement for Mexico. Most other areas stayed unchanged. That pattern is consistent with controlled allocation.
F3 and F4: long backlogs, little relief
F3 (married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens) and F4 (siblings of adult U.S. citizens) saw no meaningful improvement. These categories often move slowly due to long lines and annual caps.
Plan for long waits. Keep civil documents current. Track marital status and child age issues. Those changes can affect eligibility.
Dates for Filing: why small moves matter
Dates for Filing can be a “preparation window”. If USCIS allows the filing chart for a month, a newly current filing date may let you submit Form I-485 sooner.
That can unlock an EAD and advance parole package.
In February 2026, the notable family change was a forward move in the F2A Filing Date. Most other family filing dates stayed steady. That signals limited willingness to open broad filing windows.
Employment-based: Final Action Dates and category changes
Employment categories also showed limited movement:
- EB-1 stayed stable. Worldwide remains current. China and India stayed backlogged.
- EB-2 remained heavily backlogged for India, with no relief.
- EB-3 Worldwide advanced modestly in Final Action Dates. China and India held.
- EB-4 shifted to “Unavailable” in February 2026. This is tied to the Special Immigrant Religious Worker (SR) program authorization ending unless extended. “Unavailable” is not a cut-off date. It means no numbers may be issued in that category during that period.
- EB-3 Worldwide Dates for Filing advanced more than Final Action Dates. That can help case pipeline planning.
⚠️ Common Mistake: Filing Form I-485 when only the Final Action Date is current, but USCIS is using the Dates for Filing chart. Confirm chart use each month.
USCIS processing times that affect Visa Bulletin planning (estimates)
Processing times are USCIS estimates, vary by category and office, and can change. Check egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/ for your specific form and location (as of January 2026).
| Case Type (Form) | Typical Range (as of Jan 2026) | What drives longer cases |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | 8–14 months | Interviews, security checks, visa number availability |
| Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization | 3–7 months | Biometrics delays, background checks |
| Form I-131, Application for Travel Document | 4–9 months | Case volume, security review |
| Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative | 10–18 months | Service center workload, completeness |
Filing fees you should budget for
Fees change periodically. Verify at uscis.gov/fees before filing (as of January 2026 examples below).
| Form | Purpose | Fee (verify at uscis.gov/fees) | Typical Processing (as of Jan 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form I-485 | Adjustment of Status | $1,225 (includes biometrics) | 8–14 months |
| Form I-130 | Family petition | $625 | 10–18 months |
| Form I-765 | Work permit (EAD) | $410 | 3–7 months |
| Form N-400, Application for Naturalization | Naturalization | $760 | Varies by field office |
💰 Current Fee Reminder: USCIS will reject filings with the wrong fee. Verify the exact amount at uscis.gov/fees before you mail.
RFEs, interviews, and checks: why “current” is not the finish line
Even if your priority date is current under the Visa Bulletin:
- USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE).
- Your local field office may require an interview.
- Security and background checks can add months.
Expedite requests and case tracking
Expedites are discretionary. USCIS generally expects urgent humanitarian need, severe financial loss, or strong government interest.
- Create or sign in to your account at my.uscis.gov.
- Check case status using your receipt number.
- If you qualify, call 1-800-375-5283 or submit an expedite request through your account.
- Respond quickly if USCIS asks for evidence supporting the expedite.
⏱️ Processing Time Note: A Visa Bulletin advance helps only if your case is otherwise approvable and a visa number is available when USCIS is ready to finalize.
Practical next steps for February 2026 planning
- Compare your priority date to both Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing for February 2026.
- Confirm which chart USCIS is using for Form I-485 filings that month.
- If eligible to file, prepare Form I-485 with Form I-765 and Form I-131 when allowed.
- Keep documents current for long-wait categories (F3, F4, EB-2 India).
- Watch EB-4 closely. “Unavailable” can change only if program authorization returns.
📋 Official Resources: Download forms at uscis.gov/forms. Check processing times at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times. Fees and processing times are subject to change—always verify current information at uscis.gov.
This report analyzes the January and February 2026 Visa Bulletins, highlighting stable processing times for I-485 applications. While family-sponsored categories for Mexico showed slight progress, most other areas remained stagnant. The employment-based sector faces an EB-4 ‘Unavailable’ status. The guide emphasizes the importance of monitoring USCIS chart usage, verifying current filing fees, and preparing for potential requests for evidence or interviews despite current priority dates.
