Every month, the U.S. Department of State releases the Visa Bulletin, a publication that determines when individuals waiting for permanent residence (green cards) can move forward in their immigration process. For many of our clients, the Visa Bulletin can feel confusing, technical, and deeply emotional. It represents hope, frustration, progress, and, at times, long periods of waiting.

At Garvish Immigration Law Group, our goal is to serve as your trusted guide through this process. Below is a clear explanation of how to read the Visa Bulletin, what’s new in the January 2026 edition, and what these changes may mean for you.

How to Read the Visa Bulletin

The Visa Bulletin contains two important charts for both family-based and employment-based green card categories:

  1. Final Action Dates (Chart A)
    This chart tells you when a green card can actually be approved.
  • If your priority date (the date your immigrant petition was filed) is earlier than the listed date, your case may move to final approval.
  1. Dates for Filing (Chart B)
    This chart tells you when you are allowed to file your case in the U.S. (Adjustment of Status), even if a green card number is not yet available.

Each month, USCIS announces which chart must be used for adjustment-of-status filings. We track this closely to ensure our clients take advantage of filing opportunities as soon as they open.

Why Priority Dates Matter

Your priority date is your place in line. The Visa Bulletin shows how quickly that line is moving based on your visa category and country of birth.

Country of Chargeability

Some countries, most notably India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines, have significantly higher demand, which results in longer waiting times. These countries have separate cutoff dates listed in the Bulletin.

January 2026: What’s New?

January brings a mix of meaningful progress in employment-based categories, steady but slower movement in family-based cases, and most importantly, no major retrogressions. That stability matters.

Employment-Based (EB) Green Cards

Overall, the January 2026 Visa Bulletin shows strong forward movement, particularly in several Final Action Dates. This is encouraging news for employment-based applicants.

  • EB-1 (Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professors/Researchers, Multinational Managers)
    • India: advances significantly 
    • China: also moves forward 
    • All other countries: remain current

What this means: EB-1 continues to be one of the strongest and fastest employment-based options, especially for individuals with extraordinary ability or leadership experience.

  • EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals, National Interest Waivers)
    • India: advances modestly by 2 months but remains heavily backlogged 
    • China: sees forward movement, by 3 months 
    • All other countries: will advance by 2 months to April 1, 2024

What this means: While India and China still face long waits, consistent movement suggests gradual progress. Strategic planning remains critical.

  • EB-3 (Professionals & Skilled Workers)
    • India: continues slow advancement, moving 1.8 months. 
    • China: moves forward by 1 month 
    • All other countries: show some progress by 1 week.

What this means: EB-3 remains viable, but applicants from oversubscribed countries should plan for longer timelines.

  • EB-3 Other Workers
    • India: advances by 1.8 months
    • China: advance by 1 year
    • All other countries: advances by 1 month 
  • EB-5 (Investors – Unreserved Categories)
    • India: advances 
    • China: advances slightly 
    • All other countries: remain current

Dates for Filing:
Although it is largely unchanged from December, there are some movements, specially for China:

  • EB-1 
    • India: advances by 4 months 
    • China: advances by 3 months 
  • EB-2 
    • China: advance by 1 month
    • All other countries (except India): advance by 3 months 
  • EB-3 Other Workers
    • China: advances by 1 year 
  • EB-4 Special Immigrants & Religious Workers
    • EB-4 advances by 1 month 
  • EB-5 Unreserved Categories
    • India: advances by 2 years
    • China: advances by 1 month

Family-Sponsored Green Cards

Family-based categories continue to experience incremental movement, with long waits remaining for many families, especially those from Mexico and the Philippines.

Some notable changes include:

  • F-1 (Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens): 
    • Mexico moves forward slightly 
  • F-2B (Unmarried adult children of permanent residents): 
    • Philippines advances 
    • Mexico advances modestly 
  • F-3 (Married adult children of U.S. citizens): 
    • Philippines sees incremental progress 

Dates for Filing

  • F-2A (spouses and minor children of permanent residents) continues to show limited forward movement. 

What this means: Progress exists, but it remains slow. Families in oversubscribed categories should prepare for extended waiting periods.

Which chart to use when filing: 

What to Expect Moving Forward

As we move further into 2026, here’s what we are watching closely:

  • Employment-based categories may continue advancing if visa demand remains manageable 
  • Oversubscribed countries (India, China, Mexico, Philippines) will likely continue to see slower movement 
  • No retrogressions this month, which is a positive sign 
  • USCIS continues to allow certain applicants to file using the Dates for Filing chart 
  • Gradual forward movement is expected unless demand spikes unexpectedly

Our Guidance to Clients

  • Check your priority date against both charts. You may be eligible to file even if final approval is not yet available. 
  • Act quickly if your date becomes current. Filing windows can open, and close, without much notice. 
  • Stay connected with our team. We monitor the Visa Bulletin every month and will advise you as soon as opportunities arise. 
  • Don’t lose hope. Many of our clients wait years, but progress does happen, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. 

If you have questions about how the January 2026 Visa Bulletin affects your case, or if you want help planning your next move, Garvish Immigration Law Group is here to help.