Visa Bulletin: February 2026 Priority Dates

Monthly updates on green card visa availability and priority dates.

If you're waiting for a green card, the monthly visa bulletin determines when you can take your next step. For applicants from high-demand countries, even small movements in priority dates can mean the difference between filing this year or waiting several more.

The visa bulletin is published monthly by the U.S. Department of State and shows when immigrant visa numbers become available for each preference category and country of chargeability. The scale of the wait is significant: according to a Cato Institute analysis, employer-sponsored green cards now take an average of 3.4 years to complete, up from 1.9 years in 2016. Nearly 785,000 approved employment-based petitions are currently awaiting visa availability, and USCIS uses these bulletin dates to determine when you can file your adjustment of status application or receive final approval.

This guide covers the February 2026 bulletin, including key changes, how to read the charts, and what current dates mean for your green card timeline. Whether you're applying through a family-sponsored preference or an employment-based pathway, understanding visa availability helps you plan your next steps.

What is the visa bulletin?

The bulletin is a monthly publication from the Department of State that controls when you can move forward in the green card process. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets annual limits on how many visas can be issued in each preference category, and the bulletin translates those limits into actionable dates for applicants.

For fiscal year 2026, the family-sponsored preference annual limit is 226,000 visas, while the employment-based preference level is at least 140,000 visas. The per-country limit is 7% of the combined totals, equaling 25,620 for fiscal year 2026. These numerical caps mean demand often exceeds supply, particularly for applicants from high-demand countries. Understanding the bulletin's two charts helps you determine when you're eligible to file.

Two charts explained

The visa bulletin contains two distinct charts, and understanding which one applies to your situation is critical for timing your application correctly. Each chart serves a different purpose in the green card process, and using the wrong one can delay your case or result in an application that cannot be processed. Knowing how to read both charts and which one controls your timeline helps you plan next steps with confidence.

Final Action Dates

This chart shows when immigrant numbers are actually available for issuance. When your priority date is earlier than the final action date for your category and country, USCIS can approve your adjustment of status application, or the Department of State can issue your visa through consular processing.

Dates for Filing

This chart indicates when you may file Form I-485 (adjustment of status application), even if a number isn't immediately available for final action. Filing earlier allows you to get "in line" and obtain work authorization while waiting.

Each month, USCIS announces which chart applicants should use. For February 2026, applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart for both family-sponsored and employment-based categories. Checking the official announcement before filing is critical. Now that you know how the two charts work, the next step is learning the key terms that appear throughout them.

February 2026 summary of key changes

This month's bulletin brings modest forward movement in a handful of categories, while most others remain unchanged. Here's what moved, what stayed the same, and what it means for applicants across family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories.

Overview

The February 2026 bulletin shows limited advancement overall. Most family-sponsored preference categories held steady, with notable exceptions for F-2A and certain Mexico-specific dates. Employment-based categories were similarly stable, though EB-3 saw forward movement for several countries while EB-1 saw dates move backward for China and India.

Family-sponsored highlights

Family-based categories saw modest movement this month, with most advancement concentrated in the F-2A category and Mexico-specific dates:

• F-2A (spouses and children of permanent residents): Advanced one month for all countries.
• Mexico: Three-month advancement in F-1 and F-2B categories.
• F-3 and F-4: Remained unchanged across all countries.

Employment-based highlights

Employment-based categories present a mixed picture, with forward movement in EB-3 offset by backward movement in EB-1 for certain countries:

• EB-3 (skilled workers and professionals): Advanced three months for All Other Areas, Mexico, and the Philippines.
• EB-1 (priority workers): Dates moved backward two weeks for China and India.
• EB-2, EB-4, EB-5: No movement this month.

With these highlights in mind, the following sections break down each preference category in detail, starting with family-sponsored classifications.

Family-sponsored preference categories

Family-sponsored preference categories are governed by Section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and are divided into four groups based on relationship to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Each category has specific eligibility requirements and current visa availability that determine processing timelines.

F-1: Unmarried children of U.S. citizens

The F-1 category covers unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens age 21 and older. The annual allocation is 23,400 visas plus any unused fourth preference numbers. For February 2026, most countries show modest movement, though applicants from Mexico and the Philippines face extended wait times.

F-2A: Spouses and children of permanent residents

F-2A covers spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents. This category receives 77% of the overall second preference limit, with 75% exempt from the per-country limit.

February 2026 brings one-month advancement across all countries. F2A numbers exempt from per-country limits are available for priority dates earlier than February 1, 2023.

F-2B: Unmarried adult children of permanent residents

F-2B serves unmarried sons and daughters age 21 and older of permanent residents. This group receives 23% of the second preference limit. For February 2026, Mexico saw a three-month advancement while other countries showed minimal movement. Applicants from India, the Philippines, and Mexico should expect extended timelines.

F-3: Married children of U.S. citizens

F-3 covers married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens regardless of age. February 2026 dates remained unchanged across all countries. Applicants from Mexico and the Philippines face particularly long backlogs.

F-4: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens

The F-4 category serves siblings of U.S. citizens age 21 or older. The annual allocation is 65,000 visas plus unused numbers from the first three preferences. February 2026 showed no advancement. Applicants from the Philippines face the longest waits, often exceeding two decades. Employment-based categories follow a different structure, which the next section addresses.

Employment-based preference categories

Employment-based immigrant visas are divided into five categories under Section 203(b) of the INA, with the U.S. government allocating at least 140,000 visas annually. Your employer sponsors most categories, and each has specific requirements determining eligibility and processing times.

EB-1: Priority workers

The EB-1 category covers priority workers in three subcategories: extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives. No labor certification is required.

February 2026 brings a two-week backward movement for China and India. Applicants from these countries should monitor the bulletin closely.

EB-2: Advanced degree and exceptional ability

The EB-2 category serves professionals holding advanced degrees or individuals with exceptional ability. This category includes the National Interest Waiver (NIW) option.

India experiences the longest backlogs in this category. February 2026 showed no movement, and applicants from India should plan for extended wait times.

EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers

The EB-3 category includes skilled workers (two+ years experience), professionals (bachelor's degree), and other workers (less than two years training).

February 2026 brings a three-month advancement for All Other Areas, Mexico, and the Philippines. The "Other Workers" group is subject to NACARA reductions limiting annual numbers to approximately 5,000 each fiscal year, with further reductions of about 150 for fiscal year 2026.

EB-4: Special immigrants

EB-4 covers special immigrants, including religious workers and certain U.S. government employees. This category receives 7.1% of the worldwide level.

Important: The religious workers (SR) category is listed as "Unavailable" for February 2026 after its authorization expired January 29, 2026.

EB-5: Immigrant investors

EB-5 provides permanent residence to foreign nationals making qualifying investments. Reserved categories include Rural (20%), High Unemployment (10%), and Infrastructure (2%), with 68% unreserved.

February 2026 showed no movement. Applicants from Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Nepal, and Uzbekistan may face different wait times than those from heavily backlogged countries. With the categories explained, the next step is learning how to use the bulletin practically.

How to use the visa bulletin

Once you know the categories and current dates, you can determine whether you're eligible to take the next step in your green card process. This section walks through reading the charts and knowing what actions to take when your date becomes current.

Finding your information

1. Locate your priority date on Form I-797.
2. Identify your preference category (family-based relationship or employment-based qualifications).
3. Determine your country of chargeability (usually country of birth).
4. Check which chart USCIS has designated at www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo.

Reading the charts

• Find your category row (F-1, F-2A, EB-1, EB-2, etc.)
• Locate your country column
• Compare your priority date to the listed date
• If your date is earlier than the listed date, or if "C" appears, you may proceed

What to do once you’re current

Once you determine that your priority date has become current according to the visa bulletin, the green card process moves into its final phase. However, current status doesn't mean your case is finished; it means you're now eligible to proceed with the next critical steps. Your pathway forward depends on whether you're pursuing a family-sponsored or employment-based green card, and the actions you take now will determine how quickly you obtain your permanent resident status.

Family-sponsored: Work with the National Visa Center or file Form I-485.

Employment-based: Your employer or attorney files the adjustment of status application. Assemble required documents: medical examination, financial evidence, civil documents, and photographs.

Beyond the basic process, several special factors can affect your case, which the following section addresses.

Special considerations

Several factors beyond basic category and country affect how the bulletin impacts your case, including per-country limitations, fiscal year timing, and exemptions that bypass the preference system entirely.

Per-country limits and backlogs

The INA limits any single country to 7% of the combined preference allocations. High demand from China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines relative to this cap creates extended backlogs. Applicants from India may wait decades for an EB-2 or EB-3 green card, while applicants from lower-demand countries often find their categories current.

Fiscal year impact

The U.S. government fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30. Annual limits reset each October, affecting the availability of immigrant numbers for the new fiscal year. Toward fiscal year-end (August-September), unused numbers may spill over to oversubscribed categories, potentially causing temporary forward movement.

Immediate relatives exemption

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are exempt from numerical limits: spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents (when the petitioning citizen is 21+). If you qualify, you can file immediately without waiting for visa availability. Working through these factors often benefits from expert guidance, which brings us to how Lighthouse can help.

Choosing the right support partner

The green card process requires coordination across multiple government agencies, along with extensive documentation and strict compliance with regulatory standards. Lighthouse helps navigate this complexity with comprehensive support throughout your immigration process.

Lighthouse helps U.S. employers and foreign nationals navigate this process through eligibility diagnostics, expert guidance on PERM recruitment and compliance documentation, and comprehensive legal support. This includes preparation for Forms I-140 and I-485, coordination of family applications, and timeline tracking based on the bulletin.

Our approach combines experienced case managers with technology built for immigration workflows. This provides hands-on support, expert legal review, and precise coordination to meet filing deadlines. Whether you're pursuing an H-1B, L-1, O-1A, or TN transition to permanent residence, Lighthouse guides you through every stage. Start your green card evaluation today.

Frequently asked questions

What is my priority date, and where do I find it?

Your priority date is the date your petition (Form I-130 for family-sponsored or Form I-140 for employment-based) was filed with USCIS. You can find it on your Form I-797 approval notice. This date determines your place in line for visa availability under the preference category system established by the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Which chart should I use for February 2026?

USCIS has announced that applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart for February 2026 for both family-sponsored preference and employment-based categories. Check www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for official monthly confirmation, as this designation can change each month depending on visa availability.

Why do India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines have different dates?

The INA limits any single country to 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limit. High demand from these countries relative to the per-country cap creates longer backlogs and slower date movement compared to chargeability areas except those listed (often called "All Other Areas").

What does retrogression mean, and how does it affect me?

Retrogression occurs when dates move backward rather than forward, happening when demand exceeds supply. If it affects your category, your priority date may no longer be current, delaying your ability to file for adjustment of status or receive final action. Backward movement is more common toward the fiscal year end when annual limits are being reached.

How can Lighthouse help with my green card application?

Lighthouse provides comprehensive support for employment-based green cards, including eligibility evaluation, PERM labor certification guidance, Form I-140 and I-485 preparation, dependent coordination, and timeline tracking based on monthly bulletin updates. Our platform combines legal expertise with technology to streamline documentation and meet compliance requirements.