The U.S. Department of State released the February 2026 Visa Bulletin on January 5, 2026, revealing how immigrant visa availability has changed from the previous month. This comprehensive comparison analyzes the movement between January and February 2026 across all employment-based and family-sponsored categories, highlighting key changes that affect applicants from India, China, Mexico, Philippines, and the Rest of World.
The February 2026 bulletin shows a mixed picture: while most employment-based categories experienced a pause in Final Action Date movement, EB-3 for Rest of World showed notable advancement. The most significant change is the expiration of the Certain Religious Workers (SR) category, which became “Unavailable” after the program expired on January 30, 2026.
📋 Key Changes: January → February 2026
EB-3 ROW Movement
+40 days (Final Action)
Religious Workers
Now Unavailable
F1 Mexico
+112 days (Final Action)
Religious Workers Program Expired
The Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category expired on January 30, 2026 (H.R. 5371). The category is now listed as “Unavailable” for all countries in February 2026. If Congress extends the program, it will become available immediately.
Employment-Based Final Action Dates Comparison
The Final Action Dates chart determines when USCIS can make a final decision on adjustment of status applications. Most employment-based categories showed no movement from January to February 2026, representing a mid-fiscal year pause. The only exception is EB-3 for Rest of World, Mexico, and Philippines, which advanced by 40 days.
| Category | Country | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 Priority Workers |
All Other | Current | Current | — |
| China | Feb 1, 2023 | Feb 1, 2023 | 0 days | |
| India | Feb 1, 2023 | Feb 1, 2023 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Current | Current | — | |
| Philippines | Current | Current | — | |
| EB-2 Advanced Degree |
All Other | Apr 1, 2024 | Apr 1, 2024 | 0 days |
| China | Sep 1, 2021 | Sep 1, 2021 | 0 days | |
| India | Jul 15, 2013 | Jul 15, 2013 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Apr 1, 2024 | Apr 1, 2024 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Apr 1, 2024 | Apr 1, 2024 | 0 days | |
| EB-3 Skilled Workers |
All Other | Apr 22, 2023 | Jun 1, 2023 | +40 days |
| China | May 1, 2021 | May 1, 2021 | 0 days | |
| India | Nov 15, 2013 | Nov 15, 2013 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Apr 22, 2023 | Jun 1, 2023 | +40 days | |
| Philippines | Apr 22, 2023 | Jun 1, 2023 | +40 days | |
| Other Workers EW-3 |
All Other | Sep 1, 2021 | Sep 1, 2021 | 0 days |
| China | Dec 8, 2018 | Dec 8, 2018 | 0 days | |
| India | Nov 15, 2013 | Nov 15, 2013 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Sep 1, 2021 | Sep 1, 2021 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Sep 1, 2021 | Sep 1, 2021 | 0 days | |
| EB-4 Special Immigrants |
All Countries | Jan 1, 2021 | Jan 1, 2021 | 0 days |
| Religious Workers SR Category |
All Countries | Jan 1, 2021 | Unavailable | Expired |
| EB-5 Unreserved Investment |
All Other | Current | Current | — |
| China | Aug 15, 2016 | Aug 15, 2016 | 0 days | |
| India | May 1, 2022 | May 1, 2022 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Current | Current | — | |
| Philippines | Current | Current | — |
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories
All EB-5 Set-Aside categories (Rural 20%, High Unemployment 10%, Infrastructure 2%) remain Current for all countries in both January and February 2026.
Employment-Based Dates for Filing Comparison
The Dates for Filing chart determines when applicants can submit their adjustment of status applications (when USCIS allows its use). The February 2026 bulletin shows advancement in EB-3 for Rest of World, Mexico, and Philippines by approximately 3 months. Most other categories remained unchanged.
| Category | Country | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | All Other | Current | Current | — |
| China | Aug 1, 2023 | Aug 1, 2023 | 0 days | |
| India | Aug 1, 2023 | Aug 1, 2023 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Current | Current | — | |
| Philippines | Current | Current | — | |
| EB-2 | All Other | Oct 15, 2024 | Oct 15, 2024 | 0 days |
| China | Jan 1, 2022 | Jan 1, 2022 | 0 days | |
| India | Dec 1, 2013 | Dec 1, 2013 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Oct 15, 2024 | Oct 15, 2024 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Oct 15, 2024 | Oct 15, 2024 | 0 days | |
| EB-3 | All Other | Jul 1, 2023 | Oct 1, 2023 | +92 days |
| China | Jan 1, 2022 | Jan 1, 2022 | 0 days | |
| India | Aug 15, 2014 | Aug 15, 2014 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Jul 1, 2023 | Oct 1, 2023 | +92 days | |
| Philippines | Jul 1, 2023 | Oct 1, 2023 | +92 days | |
| Other Workers | All Other | Dec 1, 2021 | Dec 1, 2021 | 0 days |
| China | Oct 1, 2019 | Oct 1, 2019 | 0 days | |
| India | Aug 15, 2014 | Aug 15, 2014 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Dec 1, 2021 | Dec 1, 2021 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Dec 1, 2021 | Dec 1, 2021 | 0 days | |
| EB-4 | All Countries | Mar 15, 2021 | Mar 15, 2021 | 0 days |
| Religious Workers | All Countries | Mar 15, 2021 | Unavailable | Expired |
| EB-5 Unreserved | All Other | Current | Current | — |
| China | Aug 22, 2016 | Aug 22, 2016 | 0 days | |
| India | May 1, 2024 | May 1, 2024 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Current | Current | — | |
| Philippines | Current | Current | — |
EB-3 ROW Filing Date Advancement
EB-3 Dates for Filing for Rest of World, Mexico, and Philippines advanced by 92 days (approximately 3 months). Applicants with priority dates before October 1, 2023 can now file their I-485 applications when USCIS allows use of the Dates for Filing chart.
India-Specific Analysis
Indian applicants saw no movement in employment-based categories for February 2026. The Final Action Dates for EB-2 India remain at July 15, 2013, and EB-3 India at November 15, 2013. This creates a gap of only 4 months between the two categories, making EB-3 downgrade strategies less beneficial than in previous years.
🇮🇳 India Employment-Based Categories
🇮🇳 Final Action Dates
🇮🇳 Dates for Filing
EB-2 vs EB-3 India Gap Analysis
The gap between EB-2 India (Jul 15, 2013) and EB-3 India (Nov 15, 2013) is only 4 months. Downgrading from EB-2 to EB-3 provides minimal benefit at current date levels. Both categories face significant backlogs with approximately 12+ years of waiting time from current priority dates.
China-Specific Analysis
Chinese applicants also experienced no movement in employment-based Final Action Dates. EB-2 China remains at September 1, 2021, while EB-3 China stays at May 1, 2021. EB-5 Unreserved for China continues to face severe backlogs with the date at August 15, 2016.
🇨🇳 China Employment-Based Categories
🇨🇳 Final Action Dates
🇨🇳 Dates for Filing
Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates Comparison
Family-sponsored categories showed some positive movement in February 2026, particularly for Mexico applicants. F1 Mexico advanced by 112 days (from September 1, 2006 to December 22, 2006), and F2B Mexico advanced by 92 days (from November 15, 2008 to February 15, 2009).
| Category | Country | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 Unmarried Adult Children of USC |
All Other | Nov 8, 2016 | Nov 8, 2016 | 0 days |
| China | Nov 8, 2016 | Nov 8, 2016 | 0 days | |
| India | Nov 8, 2016 | Nov 8, 2016 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Sep 1, 2006 | Dec 22, 2006 | +112 days | |
| Philippines | Mar 1, 2013 | Mar 1, 2013 | 0 days | |
| F2A Spouses/Children of LPR |
All Other | Feb 1, 2024 | Feb 1, 2024 | 0 days |
| China | Feb 1, 2024 | Feb 1, 2024 | 0 days | |
| India | Feb 1, 2024 | Feb 1, 2024 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Feb 1, 2023 | Feb 1, 2023 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Feb 1, 2024 | Feb 1, 2024 | 0 days | |
| F2B Unmarried Adult Children of LPR |
All Other | Dec 1, 2016 | Dec 1, 2016 | 0 days |
| China | Dec 1, 2016 | Dec 1, 2016 | 0 days | |
| India | Dec 1, 2016 | Dec 1, 2016 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Nov 15, 2008 | Feb 15, 2009 | +92 days | |
| Philippines | Dec 22, 2012 | Dec 22, 2012 | 0 days | |
| F3 Married Adult Children of USC |
All Other | Sep 8, 2011 | Sep 8, 2011 | 0 days |
| China | Sep 8, 2011 | Sep 8, 2011 | 0 days | |
| India | Sep 8, 2011 | Sep 8, 2011 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | May 1, 2001 | May 1, 2001 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Mar 1, 2005 | Mar 1, 2005 | 0 days | |
| F4 Siblings of Adult USC |
All Other | Jan 8, 2008 | Jan 8, 2008 | 0 days |
| China | Jan 8, 2008 | Jan 8, 2008 | 0 days | |
| India | Nov 1, 2006 | Nov 1, 2006 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Apr 8, 2001 | Apr 8, 2001 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Jul 22, 2006 | Jul 22, 2006 | 0 days |
Family-Sponsored Dates for Filing Comparison
The Dates for Filing chart for family-sponsored categories showed notable advancements for F2A across all countries (moving from December 22, 2025 to January 22, 2026 – a 31-day advancement), and for Mexico in F1 and F2B categories.
| Category | Country | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | All Other | Sep 1, 2017 | Sep 1, 2017 | 0 days |
| China | Sep 1, 2017 | Sep 1, 2017 | 0 days | |
| India | Sep 1, 2017 | Sep 1, 2017 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Sep 1, 2007 | Dec 1, 2007 | +91 days | |
| Philippines | Apr 22, 2015 | Apr 22, 2015 | 0 days | |
| F2A | All Other | Dec 22, 2025 | Jan 22, 2026 | +31 days |
| China | Dec 22, 2025 | Jan 22, 2026 | +31 days | |
| India | Dec 22, 2025 | Jan 22, 2026 | +31 days | |
| Mexico | Dec 22, 2025 | Jan 22, 2026 | +31 days | |
| Philippines | Dec 22, 2025 | Jan 22, 2026 | +31 days | |
| F2B | All Other | Mar 15, 2017 | Mar 15, 2017 | 0 days |
| China | Mar 15, 2017 | Mar 15, 2017 | 0 days | |
| India | Mar 15, 2017 | Mar 15, 2017 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Nov 15, 2009 | Feb 15, 2010 | +92 days | |
| Philippines | Oct 1, 2013 | Oct 1, 2013 | 0 days | |
| F3 | All Other | Jul 22, 2012 | Jul 22, 2012 | 0 days |
| China | Jul 22, 2012 | Jul 22, 2012 | 0 days | |
| India | Jul 22, 2012 | Jul 22, 2012 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Jul 1, 2001 | Jul 1, 2001 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Feb 1, 2006 | Feb 1, 2006 | 0 days | |
| F4 | All Other | Mar 1, 2009 | Mar 1, 2009 | 0 days |
| China | Mar 1, 2009 | Mar 1, 2009 | 0 days | |
| India | Dec 15, 2006 | Dec 15, 2006 | 0 days | |
| Mexico | Apr 30, 2001 | Apr 30, 2001 | 0 days | |
| Philippines | Jan 15, 2008 | Jan 15, 2008 | 0 days |
Diversity Visa (DV-2026) Comparison
The Diversity Visa program showed significant advancement in cut-off numbers between January and February 2026. All regions saw substantial increases, with Africa advancing from 35,000 to 45,000 and Asia from 15,000 to 30,000.
| Region | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 (Preview) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFRICA | 35,000 | 45,000 | 45,000 |
| — Algeria (except) | 20,000 | 37,000 | 37,000 |
| — Egypt (except) | 16,000 | 21,000 | 22,250 |
| ASIA | 15,000 | 30,000 | 30,000 |
| — Nepal (except) | 6,000 | 6,500 | 6,500 |
| EUROPE | 8,500 | 11,000 | 11,000 |
| NORTH AMERICA (Bahamas) | 20 | 25 | 30 |
| OCEANIA | 1,100 | 1,175 | 1,200 |
| SOUTH AMERICA & CARIBBEAN | 1,850 | 2,000 | 2,100 |
DV-2026 Deadline Reminder
All DV-2026 visas must be issued by September 30, 2026. Numbers could be exhausted before this date. DV lottery winners should complete their processing as early as possible.
Summary of All Changes
| Category | Chart | Country | Movement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-3 | Final Action | All Other, Mexico, Philippines | +40 days | Apr 22, 2023 → Jun 1, 2023 |
| EB-3 | Dates for Filing | All Other, Mexico, Philippines | +92 days | Jul 1, 2023 → Oct 1, 2023 |
| Religious Workers | Both | All Countries | Expired | Program expired Jan 30, 2026 |
| F1 | Final Action | Mexico | +112 days | Sep 1, 2006 → Dec 22, 2006 |
| F1 | Dates for Filing | Mexico | +91 days | Sep 1, 2007 → Dec 1, 2007 |
| F2A | Dates for Filing | All Countries | +31 days | Dec 22, 2025 → Jan 22, 2026 |
| F2B | Final Action | Mexico | +92 days | Nov 15, 2008 → Feb 15, 2009 |
| F2B | Dates for Filing | Mexico | +92 days | Nov 15, 2009 → Feb 15, 2010 |
📚 Official Sources
- U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin
- January 2026 Visa Bulletin: Number 10, Volume XI (Published December 2, 2025)
- February 2026 Visa Bulletin: Number 11, Volume XI (Published January 5, 2026)
- USCIS Visa Bulletin Information
Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Visa bulletin dates and immigration policies can change. Please consult with a qualified immigration attorney for advice specific to your situation. Always verify current dates on the official State Department website.
