What changed in the February 2026 bulletin
Compared with last month, 3 of 50 employment-based cut-off dates moved forward, 5 moved back and 42 stayed put. The biggest advances: EB-3 for most countries (+3 months to 01 Oct 2023), EB-3 Mexico (+3 months to 01 Oct 2023) and EB-3 Philippines (+3 months to 01 Oct 2023). Retrogression: Certain Religious Workers for most countries (became unavailable), Certain Religious Workers China (became unavailable), Certain Religious Workers India (became unavailable) and Certain Religious Workers Mexico (became unavailable).[1]
Against last month: 7 family-sponsored dates advanced, 0 retrogressed, 18 held. The biggest advances: F2B Mexico (+3 months to 15 Feb 2010), F1 Mexico (+3 months to 01 Dec 2007), F2A for most countries (+31 days to 22 Jan 2026) and F2A China (+31 days to 22 Jan 2026).
| Category | Country | Before | February | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certain Religious Workers | Rest of world | 15 Mar 2021 | U | ▼ became unavailable |
| Certain Religious Workers | China | 15 Mar 2021 | U | ▼ became unavailable |
| Certain Religious Workers | India | 15 Mar 2021 | U | ▼ became unavailable |
| Certain Religious Workers | Mexico | 15 Mar 2021 | U | ▼ became unavailable |
| Certain Religious Workers | Philippines | 15 Mar 2021 | U | ▼ became unavailable |
| EB-3 | Rest of world | 01 Jul 2023 | 01 Oct 2023 | ▲ 3 months |
| EB-3 | Mexico | 01 Jul 2023 | 01 Oct 2023 | ▲ 3 months |
| EB-3 | Philippines | 01 Jul 2023 | 01 Oct 2023 | ▲ 3 months |
| F2B | Mexico | 15 Nov 2009 | 15 Feb 2010 | ▲ 3 months |
| F1 | Mexico | 01 Sep 2007 | 01 Dec 2007 | ▲ 3 months |
February 2026 employment-based dates
Arrows compare each date with January 2026, the month before. EB-2 India held at 01 Dec 2013. Category history: EB-2, EB-3, EB-2 India.
| Category | Rest of world | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C■ | 01 Aug 2023■ | 01 Aug 2023■ | C■ | C■ |
| EB-2 | 15 Oct 2024■ | 01 Jan 2022■ | 01 Dec 2013■ | 15 Oct 2024■ | 15 Oct 2024■ |
| EB-3 | 01 Oct 2023▲ advanced 3 months | 01 Jan 2022■ | 15 Aug 2014■ | 01 Oct 2023▲ advanced 3 months | 01 Oct 2023▲ advanced 3 months |
| EB-3 Other Workers | 01 Dec 2021■ | 01 Oct 2019■ | 15 Aug 2014■ | 01 Dec 2021■ | 01 Dec 2021■ |
| EB-4 | 15 Mar 2021■ | 15 Mar 2021■ | 15 Mar 2021■ | 15 Mar 2021■ | 15 Mar 2021■ |
| Certain Religious Workers | U▼ became unavailable | U▼ became unavailable | U▼ became unavailable | U▼ became unavailable | U▼ became unavailable |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C■ | 22 Aug 2016■ | 01 May 2024■ | C■ | C■ |
The three EB-5 set-aside rows (rural, high unemployment, infrastructure) were current for every country in February 2026.
February 2026 family-sponsored dates
Family dates are compared with January 2026. F2A for most countries was 22 Jan 2026 (advanced 31 days). 21 cells were current (C). History: F2A; backlog in years: wait-time table.
| Category | Rest of world | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01 Sep 2017■ | 01 Sep 2017■ | 01 Sep 2017■ | 01 Dec 2007▲ advanced 3 months | 22 Apr 2015■ |
| F2A | 22 Jan 2026▲ advanced 31 days | 22 Jan 2026▲ advanced 31 days | 22 Jan 2026▲ advanced 31 days | 22 Jan 2026▲ advanced 31 days | 22 Jan 2026▲ advanced 31 days |
| F2B | 15 Mar 2017■ | 15 Mar 2017■ | 15 Mar 2017■ | 15 Feb 2010▲ advanced 3 months | 01 Oct 2013■ |
| F3 | 22 Jul 2012■ | 22 Jul 2012■ | 22 Jul 2012■ | 01 Jul 2001■ | 01 Feb 2006■ |
| F4 | 01 Mar 2009■ | 01 Mar 2009■ | 15 Dec 2006■ | 30 Apr 2001■ | 15 Jan 2008■ |
Fiscal year 2026 context
February 2026 is in the middle of fiscal year 2026; mid-year bulletins tend to adjust dates as the State Department sees how quickly numbers are being used. Since the October 2025 bulletin on the same chart: EB-2 India unchanged at 01 Dec 2013; EB-2 China from 01 Dec 2021 to 01 Jan 2022; EB-3 India unchanged at 15 Aug 2014; EB-3 China unchanged at 01 Jan 2022; EB-2 Rest of world from 15 Jul 2024 to 15 Oct 2024; EB-3 Rest of world from 01 Jul 2023 to 01 Oct 2023. In February 2026, 5 cells were marked U: Certain Religious Workers Rest of world, Certain Religious Workers China, Certain Religious Workers India, Certain Religious Workers Mexico, Certain Religious Workers Philippines.
USCIS's choice of chart matters as much as the dates: in February 2026 it accepted Dates for Filing for employment-based I-485s.[3] The chart history page lists every month's choice since 2015.
- Previous month: visa bulletin January 2026
- Next month: visa bulletin March 2026
- Check your own date: priority date calculator
Frequently asked questions
Did EB-2 India move in the February 2026 visa bulletin?
No. EB-2 India stayed at 01 Dec 2013 on the Dates for Filing chart, the same as January 2026.
Which chart did USCIS accept for February 2026?
For employment-based adjustment of status, USCIS accepted Dates for Filing; for family-sponsored cases, Dates for Filing. Applicants whose category is current on the Final Action Dates chart may also file under it.
Was any category unavailable in February 2026?
Yes: Certain Religious Workers (Rest of world), Certain Religious Workers (China), Certain Religious Workers (India), Certain Religious Workers (Mexico), Certain Religious Workers (Philippines) showed U, meaning no visa numbers could be used that month.
When was the February 2026 visa bulletin in effect?
From February 1 to February 28, 2026. The State Department publishes each bulletin in the middle of the previous month.
Sources
- When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: February 2026
- When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: January 2026
- Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin
- The Visa Bulletin (monthly publication and archive)