February 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Cutoff Dates Advance

   

In February, the cut-off dates for most countries remain the same for both family-based and employment-based categories. There is mild advancement for Mexico F1 and F2B, as well as worldwide EB-3, except for China and India. 

USCIS will continue to accept I-485 Adjustment of Status (green card) applications for both family-sponsored and employment-based categories based on the Dates for Filing chart. Applicants who are eligible to file may begin preparing for the filings when February comes. 

AD: Dates for Final Action (Green Card Approval)  

FD: Dates for Filing Applications Only

Family-based		Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	AD	11/08/2016	11/08/2016	11/08/2016	12/22/2006	03/01/2013
	FD	09/01/2017	09/01/2017	09/01/2017	12/01/2007	04/22/2015
F2A	AD	02/01/2024	02/01/2024	02/01/2024	02/01/2023	02/01/2024
	FD	01/22/2026	01/22/2026	01/22/2026	01/22/2026	01/22/2026
F2B	AD	12/01/2016	12/01/2016	12/01/2016	02/15/2009	12/22/2012
	FD	03/15/2017	03/15/2017	03/15/2017	02/15/2010	10/01/2013
F3	AD	09/08/2011	09/08/2011	09/08/2011	05/01/2001	03/01/2005
	FD	07/22/2012	07/22/2012	07/22/2012	07/01/2001	02/01/2006
F4	AD	01/08/2008	01/08/2008	11/01/2006	04/08/2001	07/22/2006
	FD	03/01/2009	03/01/2009	12/15/2006	04/30/2001	01/15/2008

1st: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Citizens (about 23,400 per year).
2A: The 2 “A” preference is for Spouses and Children (under 21 & unmarried) of LPR's.
2B: The 2 “B” Preference is for Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 or older) of LPR's.
3rd: Married Sons and Daughters of Citizens (about 23,400 per year)
4th: Brothers and Sisters of Adult Citizens. (about 65,000 per year)

Employment-based		Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1	AD	C	02/01/2023	02/01/2023	C	C
	FD	C	08/01/2023	08/01/2023	C	C
EB-2	AD	04/01/2024	09/01/2021	07/15/2013	04/01/2024	04/01/2024
	FD	10/15/2024	01/01/2022	12/01/2013	10/15/2024	10/15/2024
EB-3	AD	06/01/2023	05/01/2021	11/15/2013	06/01/2023	06/01/2023
	FD	10/01/2023	01/01/2022	08/15/2014	10/01/2023	10/01/2023
Other Workers	AD	09/01/2021	12/08/2018	11/15/2013	09/01/2021	09/01/2021
	FD	12/01/2021	10/01/2019	08/15/2014	12/01/2021	12/01/2021
EB-4*	AD	01/01/2021	01/01/2021	01/01/2021	01/01/2021	01/01/2021
	FD	03/15/2021	03/15/2021	03/15/2021	03/15/2021	03/15/2021
EB-5*	AD	C	08/15/2016	05/01/2022	C	C
	FD	C	08/22/2016	05/01/2024	C	C

1st: Priority Workers (Extraordinary ability aliens, multinational companies' executives/managers, outstanding prof./researchers)
2nd: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability.
3rd: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers (Unskilled.)
4th: “Special Immigrants” (Religious & others) *Visa numbers for certain religious workers is "Unavailable"
5th: Employment Creation (Investors)
*China and India EB-5 visa numbers for rural, high unemployment & infrastructure areas/projects are current.

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)