February 2026 Visa Bulletin Shows Advancement in the EB-3 Category, Except for China-Mainland and India

Quick Hits

• USCIS will continue to accept adjustment of status filings based on the Dates for Filing Chart in February 2026.
• All EB-3 categories advance, except India and China-mainland.
• EB-4 Certain Religious Workers (SR) is Unavailable (U) in February 2026 due to the program’s sunset on January 30, 2026.

Final Action Dates

The final action dates in the EB-3 category advance for all countries except for China-mainland and India in the February 2026 Visa Bulletin. Additionally, the EB-4 Certain Religious Workers subcategory is unavailable (U) for all countries in February 2026. No movement is shown for all other categories.

• EB-1: No movement is shown. The final action date for China-mainland and India remains February 1, 2023; all other countries continue to be current.
• EB-2: No movement is shown.
• EB-3: All countries advance except for China-mainland (which remains at May 1, 2021) and India (which remains at November 15, 2013). All other countries advance by just over one month to June 1, 2023.
• EB-4: No movement is shown.
• EB‑4 Certain Religious Workers: Unavailable (U).
• EB-5: No movement is shown.

Employment- based	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
1st	C	01FEB23	01FEB23	C	C
2nd	01APR24	01SEP21	15JUL13	01APR24	01APR24
3rd	01JUN23	01MAY21	15NOV13	01JUN23	01JUN23
Other Workers	01SEP21	08DEC18	15NOV13	01SEP21	01SEP21
4th	01JAN21	01JAN21	01JAN21	01JAN21	01JAN21
Certain Religious Workers	U	U	U	U	U
5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU)	C	15AUG16	01MAY22	C	C
5th Set Aside: Rural (20%, including NR, RR)	C	C	C	C	C
5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%, including NH, RH)	C	C	C	C	C
5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%, including RI)	C	C	C	C	C

Source: U.S. Department of State, February 2026 Visa Bulletin, Final Action Dates Chart

Dates for Filing

The dates for filing in the EB-3 category advance for all countries except for China-mainland and India in the February 2026 Visa Bulletin. Additionally, the EB-4 Certain Religious Workers subcategory is Unavailable (U) for all countries in February 2026. No movement is shown for all other categories.

• EB-1: No movement is shown. August 1, 2023, remains the date for filing for China-mainland and India. All other countries remain current. EB-2: No movement is shown.
• EB-3: All countries advance except for China-mainland and India. All other countries advance by three months to October 1, 2023.
• EB-4: No movement is shown.
• EB‑4 Certain Religious Workers: Unavailable (U).
• EB-5: No movement is shown.

Employment-based	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
1st	C	01AUG23	01AUG23	C	C
2nd	15OCT24	01JAN22	01DEC13	15OCT24	15OCT24
3rd	01OCT23	01JAN22	15AUG14	01OCT23	01OCT23
Other Workers	01DEC21	01OCT19	15AUG14	01DEC21	01DEC21
4th	15MAR21	15MAR21	15MAR21	15MAR21	15MAR21
Certain Religious Workers	U	U	U	U	U
5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5)	C	22AUG16	01MAY24	C	C
5th Set Aside: (Rural: NR, RR – 20%)	C	C	C	C	C
5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment: NH, RH – 10%)	C	C	C	C	C
5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure: RI – 2%)	C	C	C	C	C

Source: U.S. Department of State, February 2026 Visa Bulletin, Dates for Filing Chart

Key Takeaways

With advancement in the final action dates, more applicants will become eligible to complete the final step of the permanent residency process. Additionally, applicants who became eligible to file their Adjustment of Status (AOS) application from November 2025 through January 2026, as outlined in the Dates for Filing Chart, will have at least another month to submit their applications.

Ogletree Deakins’ Immigration Practice Group will continue to monitor developments and will provide updates on the Immigration blog as additional information becomes available.

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