The visa bulletin february 2026 has arrived with important developments that could affect thousands of employment-based and family-sponsored green card applicants across the United States. Released at the start of the month, the new bulletin outlines immigrant visa availability and confirms that the most notable forward movement appears in the EB-3 category for many countries. While some classifications remain steady, this update offers real opportunities for eligible applicants to take the next step toward permanent residency.
Below is a detailed breakdown of what changed, what stayed the same, and how individuals and employers should respond.
Table of Contents
How the Visa Bulletin Shapes the Green Card Process
The U.S. immigration system limits the number of green cards issued each fiscal year in both employment-based and family-sponsored preference categories. Because demand consistently exceeds supply, applicants are assigned priority dates that determine their place in line.
A priority date usually reflects the date an immigrant petition or labor certification was filed. The Department of State publishes monthly cut-off dates that indicate which priority dates are eligible to move forward.
Each bulletin includes two charts:
- Final Action Dates – When green cards can be officially approved.
- Dates for Filing – When applicants may submit adjustment of status applications.
For February 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is accepting employment-based adjustment filings under the Dates for Filing chart. This decision plays a major role in determining who can submit Form I-485 this month.
Major Headline: EB-3 Advances for Most Countries
The most meaningful development in the visa bulletin february 2026 is forward movement in the EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers category.
For applicants from countries other than India and China, the filing cut-off date has advanced by roughly three months. That shift may seem modest, but in a system where backlogs can stretch for years, even incremental movement opens the door for thousands of additional applicants.
This progress benefits:
- Engineers and IT professionals
- Healthcare workers
- Teachers and educators
- Skilled trades workers
- Manufacturing specialists
Employers that have sponsored workers in this category may now see employees eligible to file adjustment applications, improving workforce stability.
However, the EB-3 category remains unchanged for India and China. Those countries continue to face long-standing backlogs due to annual per-country caps and sustained high demand.
Detailed Breakdown of Employment-Based Categories
EB-1: Priority Workers
The EB-1 category covers multinational executives and managers, outstanding professors and researchers, and individuals of extraordinary ability.
For most countries, EB-1 remains current, meaning there is no backlog. Eligible applicants can proceed without waiting for a cut-off date.
India and China remain subject to cut-off dates in this category. While EB-1 traditionally moves faster than other employment-based categories, demand from these two countries continues to exceed allocated visa numbers.
EB-2: Advanced Degree Professionals and Exceptional Ability
The EB-2 category shows no forward movement this month.
Applicants from most countries remain under established cut-off dates that reflect prior months. India and China continue to experience significant backlogs, particularly India, where demand in EB-2 remains extremely high.
Because EB-2 often overlaps with high-skilled industries such as technology and research, many employers continue to monitor this category closely.
EB-3: Professionals and Skilled Workers
The EB-3 advancement stands out as the primary change in February 2026.
- Worldwide applicants see several months of forward progress in filing eligibility.
- India and China remain unchanged.
This development may encourage some applicants to evaluate downgrade strategies or reassess pending cases, depending on individual circumstances.
For many foreign nationals already in the U.S. on temporary work visas, this movement could mean eligibility to file for adjustment of status sooner than expected.
EB-4: Special Immigrants
A key update in February is the unavailability of the Certain Religious Workers subcategory under EB-4 due to statutory expiration.
Unless reauthorized, this subcategory cannot accept new approvals. Other EB-4 classifications remain active and subject to existing cut-off dates.
EB-5: Immigrant Investors
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor category remains largely stable.
Unreserved categories continue under previously established cut-off dates. Reserved and set-aside categories remain current, allowing qualified investors from all countries to move forward without backlog concerns.
Family-Sponsored Categories Remain Steady
Family-based immigration continues to operate under its own annual caps and preference system.
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens—spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents—remain current, as they are not subject to annual numerical limits.
Other family preference categories, including siblings of U.S. citizens and adult children of permanent residents, remain backlogged. Movement in February is limited, with modest adjustments in certain regions but no sweeping changes.
Applicants in family categories should compare their priority dates carefully with both the Final Action and Dates for Filing charts to determine eligibility.
What Filing Eligibility Means in February
Because USCIS is using the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based categories, individuals whose priority dates fall before the listed cut-off may submit Form I-485 in February.
Filing adjustment of status provides several key benefits:
- Eligibility for employment authorization
- Eligibility for advance parole travel documents
- Protection under pending adjustment rules
- Greater job portability after 180 days in many cases
This stage represents a major milestone in the green card process.
Applicants who become eligible should act promptly, as future visa bulletin movement is never guaranteed.
Why India and China Continue to Face Delays
The U.S. immigration system limits each country to approximately 7% of the total annual employment-based green card allocation.
Because India and China generate high volumes of applicants, these caps create significant backlogs.
Indian nationals, particularly in EB-2 and EB-3 categories, continue to experience some of the longest wait times in the system. Chinese nationals also face extended queues, though generally shorter than those for India.
These structural limitations remain one of the most debated aspects of employment-based immigration policy.
Employer Considerations
Companies sponsoring foreign workers should carefully review priority date movement.
When employees file adjustment of status:
- They gain access to work authorization documents.
- They may obtain advance parole for international travel.
- They benefit from increased job flexibility under portability rules.
Employers should coordinate closely with internal HR teams and immigration counsel to ensure documentation is prepared accurately and submitted on time.
Strategic workforce planning becomes easier when visa bulletin movement allows employees to advance in the process.
Green Card Demand and Fiscal Year Timing
The U.S. fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30. Visa number usage early in the fiscal year can influence how much movement occurs in later months.
If demand increases sharply, cut-off dates can retrogress. If visa numbers remain available, further advancement may occur.
February represents the midpoint of the fiscal cycle, making upcoming spring bulletins particularly important for gauging trends.
Practical Steps for Applicants
If your priority date is current under the February filing chart:
- Confirm eligibility under the correct employment category.
- Gather civil documents, medical examination results, and required forms.
- Prepare adjustment packages carefully.
- File as soon as possible to avoid unexpected delays.
If your date is not current:
- Continue monitoring future bulletins.
- Maintain valid nonimmigrant status if applicable.
- Explore alternative categories if eligible.
Broader Immigration Outlook
The visa bulletin february 2026 highlights how incremental movement can create significant ripple effects for individuals and businesses alike.
While EB-3 advancement offers welcome relief for many, systemic backlogs remain in key categories. Legislative reform proposals continue to circulate, but no structural changes have been implemented at this time.
For now, the monthly bulletin remains the most critical indicator of progress in the employment-based green card system.
Applicants and employers alike should remain proactive, organized, and ready to act when priority dates shift.
Has the February update changed your immigration timeline? Share your thoughts and stay connected for next month’s developments.
