February Employment-Based Visa Bulletin Updates
This week, the Department of State (DOS) released its Visa Bulletin for February 2026.
Below is a summary of the employment-based updates, compared to the January 2026 Bulletin. Essentially, most categories are unchanged, with light movement forward in a few EB-3 categories. USCIS will continue to accept the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based I-485 applications.
EMPLOYMENT-BASED FINAL ACTION DATES
EB-1
All others –Current (unchanged)
China – February 1, 2023 (unchanged)
India – February 1, 2023 (unchanged)
Mexico – Current (unchanged)
Philippines – Current (unchanged)
EB-2
All others – April 1, 2024 (unchanged)
China – September 1, 2021 (unchanged)
India – July 15, 2013 (unchanged)
Mexico – April 1, 2024 (unchanged)
Philippines – April 1, 2024 (unchanged)
EB-3
All others – advances 40 days to June 1, 2023
China – May 1, 2021 (unchanged)
India – November 15, 2013 (unchanged)
Mexico – advances 40 days to June 1, 2023
Philippines – advances 40 days to June 1, 2023
EARLY ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS (AOS) FILING DATES
The Department of State has confirmed that Early AOS Filing for January 2026 will be accepted, with little-to-no change compared to last month.
|
Employment- |
All Chargeability |
CHINA- |
INDIA |
MEXICO |
PHILIPPINES |
|
1st |
C |
01AUG23 |
01AUG23 |
C |
C |
|
2nd |
15OCT24 |
01JAN22 |
01DEC13 |
15OCT24 |
15OCT24 |
|
3rd |
01OCT23 |
01JAN22 |
15AUG14 |
01OCT23 |
01OCT23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KEY TERMS
*Final Action Dates: Applicants whose priority dates are current under these dates can file for Adjustment of Status (AOS) and/or have their application approved in February 2026.
*Dates for Filing / Early Filing Dates: Applicants with current priority dates under these dates may file their AOS in February 2026 and begin to have their applications be processed, but must wait for their priority date to become current under Final Action Dates for approval.
*Current: Means that an applicant with a priority date earlier than or matching the published cutoff date is eligible to move forward with their immigration application.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your immigration counsel.
