Like every month, the U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin. This publication 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 actually changed in the February 2026 edition compared to January 2026, and what these updates may mean for you.

How to Read the Visa Bulletin

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

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.

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 monitor 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 your country of chargeability.

Country of Chargeability

Some countries, most notably India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines, have significantly higher demand, resulting in longer waiting times and separate cutoff dates.

February 2026 Visa Bulletin: What’s New?

Overall, the February 2026 Visa Bulletin shows very limited and selective forward movement. While there are a few positive developments, many categories remain unchanged.

Importantly, there were no retrogressions this month, which is encouraging.

Employment-Based Green Cards

Final Action Dates (Chart A)

EB-1

(Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professors/Researchers, Multinational Managers)

  • India: No change
  • China: No change
  • All other countries: Remain current

What this means:
EB-1 continues to be one of the strongest employment-based pathways, particularly for individuals with extraordinary ability or senior leadership experience.

EB-2

(Advanced Degree Professionals, National Interest Waivers)

  • India: No movement
  • China: No movement
  • All other countries: No change

What this means:
Backlogs remain significant for India and China. Strategic planning, including evaluating eligibility for EB-1 or other alternatives, remains critical.

EB-3

(Professionals & Skilled Workers)

  • India: No movement
  • China: No movement
  • All other countries (including Mexico and the Philippines): Advanced by approximately 1.5 months

What this means:
EB-3 showed modest but positive forward movement for most countries, offering cautious optimism for applicants outside of India and China.

EB-3 Other Workers

  • All countries: No movement

EB-4 (Special Immigrants / Religious Workers)

  • All countries: Unavailable as of February 2026

What this means:
The annual numerical limit for this category was reached, temporarily halting approvals until numbers become available again in a future fiscal period.

EB-5 (Investors – Unreserved Categories)

  • India: No change
  • China: No change
  • All other countries: Remain current

Employment-Based

Dates for Filing (Chart B)

  • EB-1: No movement
  • EB-2: No movement
  • EB-3 (Professionals & Skilled Workers):
    • India: No movement
    • China: No movement
    • All other countries: Advanced 3 months
  • EB-3 Other Workers: No movement
  • EB-5 Unreserved: No movement

What this means:
New filing opportunities opened primarily for EB-3 applicants from countries other than India and China.

Family-Sponsored Green Cards

Family-based categories continue to experience very slow movement, with meaningful advances largely limited to Mexico-specific categories.

Notable Changes – Final Action Dates

  • F-1 (Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens):
    • Mexico: Advanced approximately 3 months
  • F-2B (Unmarried adult children of permanent residents):
    • Mexico: Advanced approximately 3 months
  • All other family categories and countries: No movement

Dates for Filing – Family-Based

  • F-2A (Spouses and minor children of permanent residents):
    • Advanced approximately 1 month for all countries
  • F-1 (Mexico):
    • Advanced approximately 3 months
  • F-2B (Mexico):
    • Advanced approximately 3 months
  • All other categories: No change

What this means:
Progress exists, but patience remains necessary. Families in oversubscribed categories should continue preparing for extended waiting periods.

Which Chart to Use When Filing (February 2026)

  • Family-Sponsored Cases: USCIS requires use of the Dates for Filing chart
  • Employment-Based Cases: USCIS also requires use of the Dates for Filing chart

This creates important filing opportunities for eligible applicants even when final approval is not yet available.

What to Expect Moving Forward

As we move deeper into 2026, here’s what we’re watching closely:

  • Employment-based categories may continue gradual advancement if demand remains stable
  • Oversubscribed countries are likely to continue seeing slower movement
  • No retrogressions this month, which is a positive sign
  • Filing opportunities remain available for certain applicants using Dates for Filing
  • Movement may change quickly if 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 when dates open. Filing windows can change with little notice.
  • Stay connected with our team. We monitor the Visa Bulletin every month and proactively advise our clients.
  • Don’t lose hope. Progress may be slow, but it is happening, and we are here to guide you every step of the way.

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