February 2026 Visa Bulletin: Priority Dates and What It Means for You

If you're waiting on a green card from India or China, nothing changed. If you're in the EB-3 category from anywhere else, you got a small win.

Let's break down what happened and what it means for you.

What Changed This Month

The February bulletin is mostly a copy-paste of January. Only a few categories saw any movement at all.

Employment-Based Final Action Dates:

Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates:

That's it. Everything else stayed flat.

Employment-Based Categories: The Full Picture

Here's where all the employment-based Final Action Dates stand for February 2026:

EB-2 and EB-3 India: Still Waiting

If you're from India, nothing changed. EB-2 India is stuck at July 15, 2013. That's a backlog of over 12 years. EB-3 India sits at November 15, 2013, which is about four months ahead of EB-2.

This is why many Indian nationals consider downgrading from EB-2 to EB-3. The wait times are nearly identical right now, and EB-3 has sometimes moved faster. But downgrading isn't a simple decision. You'd need to file a new PERM labor certification and I-140 petition, which costs money and takes time. If dates shift later, you could end up worse off.

EB-2 and EB-3 China: Also Frozen

China saw no movement either. EB-2 China remains at September 1, 2021. EB-3 China is at May 1, 2021. Both categories have multi-year backlogs, though not as severe as India.

EB-5 Investor Visas: Set-Asides Remain Current

Good news continues for EB-5 applicants investing in rural areas, high unemployment areas, or infrastructure projects. All three set-aside categories remain current for every country, including China and India.

The unreserved EB-5 category is current for most countries but backlogged for China (August 15, 2016) and India (May 1, 2022).

Family-Sponsored Categories: The Full Picture

Here's where all the family-sponsored Final Action Dates stand for February 2026:

Mexico saw the only movement this month. F1 Mexico advanced about three and a half months, and F2B Mexico moved forward three months. Every other family category stayed put.

Which Chart Should You Use in February?

USCIS decides each month whether you can use the Dates for Filing chart or if you're stuck with Final Action Dates. Check USCIS.gov/visabulletininfo at the start of February to see which chart applies.

If USCIS allows the Dates for Filing chart, here's what that looks like for employment-based categories:

The Dates for Filing chart lets you submit your I-485 earlier than the Final Action Dates would allow. You won't get approved until your Final Action Date is current, but filing early lets you get work authorization (EAD) and travel documents (Advance Parole) while you wait.

Religious Workers Program Has Expired

One important change: the Certain Religious Workers (SR) category is now listed as "Unavailable" for February. The program expired on January 30, 2026. Congress had extended it through H.R. 5371 signed in November 2025, but that extension ran out.

If Congress passes new legislation to extend the program, it could become available again immediately. Watch for updates.

Your Priority Date Is Current. Now What?

If your priority date is now current under the Final Action Dates chart, here's what to do:

1. If you're in the U.S.: File Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence) with USCIS. Include your medical exam (Form I-693), photos, and supporting documents.
2. If you're abroad: Wait for the National Visa Center to schedule your immigrant visa interview at a U.S. consulate.
3. Gather your documents now. Don't wait until the last minute. You'll need birth certificates, marriage certificates, tax returns, employment letters, and more.
4. If you already filed I-485: Your case could be adjudicated once your date is current. Make sure USCIS has your current address and that your medical exam hasn't expired.

What to Expect for March 2026

Predicting visa bulletin movement is tricky. The State Department doesn't announce changes in advance. But based on recent patterns, here are some educated guesses:

The worldwide EB-3 category might continue its slow forward movement. We saw about five weeks of progress this month, and that could continue.

India and China categories will probably stay flat or move very slowly. The backlogs are massive, and there's no sign of major legislative changes that would help.

Family-sponsored categories typically move slowly and unpredictably. Mexico might see continued progress, but don't count on it.

The March bulletin should be released in mid-February. We'll update this analysis when it comes out.