What's the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing?

Final Action Dates tell you when your green card can actually be approved. Dates for Filing tell you when you can submit your application. USCIS decides each month which chart applies. If they allow Dates for Filing, you can file your I-485 earlier and get work authorization while waiting for approval.

My priority date just became current. How long until I get my green card?

It depends. If you've already filed your I-485 and completed your interview or biometrics, approval could come within weeks. If you're just filing now, expect several months for processing. USCIS processing times vary by service center.

Should I downgrade from EB-2 to EB-3?

For Indian nationals, the dates are very close right now. EB-3 India (November 15, 2013) is actually ahead of EB-2 India (July 15, 2013) by about four months. But downgrading means filing a new PERM and I-140, which takes time and money. If EB-2 speeds up while you're in the downgrade process, you could lose ground. Talk to an immigration attorney about your specific situation.

What does "Current" mean?

Current means there's no backlog. Anyone with an approved petition in that category can file for a green card regardless of when their petition was filed.

Why do India and China have such long backlogs?

The per-country limit. No single country can receive more than 7% of the employment-based green cards issued each year. Since demand from India and China far exceeds this limit, applicants from these countries face multi-year waits while applicants from other countries often have no wait at all.

Can I check if my priority date is current?

Yes. Find your priority date on your I-797 approval notice (the date your petition was filed or, for PERM cases, the date your labor certification was filed). Compare it to the appropriate date in the visa bulletin. If your priority date is earlier than the date shown, you're current.

Published: Jan 13, 2026

USCIS Updates

February 2026 Visa Bulletin: Priority Dates and What It Means for You

EB-3 Worldwide advances 5 weeks, most other categories hold steady

By Michal

The Department of State released the February 2026 Visa Bulletin on January 5, 2026. Here's the short version: it's a quiet month. After several months of steady progress, most categories stayed exactly where they were. The one bright spot? Worldwide EB-3 moved forward about five weeks.

If you're waiting on a green card from India or China, nothing changed. If you're in the EB-3 category from anywhere else, you got a small win.

Let's break down what happened and what it means for you.

What Changed This Month

The February bulletin is mostly a copy-paste of January. Only a few categories saw any movement at all.

Employment-Based Final Action Dates:

Category	Country	January 2026	February 2026	Change
EB-3	Worldwide	April 22, 2023	June 1, 2023	+5 weeks
EB-3	Mexico	April 22, 2023	June 1, 2023	+5 weeks
EB-3	Philippines	April 22, 2023	June 1, 2023	+5 weeks
All other EB categories	All countries	No change	No change	—

Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates:

Category	Country	January 2026	February 2026	Change
F1	Mexico	September 1, 2006	December 22, 2006	+3.5 months
F2B	Mexico	November 15, 2008	February 15, 2009	+3 months
All other F categories	Most countries	No change	No change	—

That's it. Everything else stayed flat.

Employment-Based Categories: The Full Picture

Here's where all the employment-based Final Action Dates stand for February 2026:

Category	Worldwide	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1	Current	Feb 1, 2023	Feb 1, 2023	Current	Current
EB-2	Apr 1, 2024	Sep 1, 2021	Jul 15, 2013	Apr 1, 2024	Apr 1, 2024
EB-3	Jun 1, 2023	May 1, 2021	Nov 15, 2013	Jun 1, 2023	Jun 1, 2023
Other Workers	Sep 1, 2021	Dec 8, 2018	Nov 15, 2013	Sep 1, 2021	Sep 1, 2021
EB-4	Jan 1, 2021	Jan 1, 2021	Jan 1, 2021	Jan 1, 2021	Jan 1, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved	Current	Aug 15, 2016	May 1, 2022	Current	Current
EB-5 Rural	Current	Current	Current	Current	Current
EB-5 High Unemployment	Current	Current	Current	Current	Current
EB-5 Infrastructure	Current	Current	Current	Current	Current

EB-2 and EB-3 India: Still Waiting

If you're from India, nothing changed. EB-2 India is stuck at July 15, 2013. That's a backlog of over 12 years. EB-3 India sits at November 15, 2013, which is about four months ahead of EB-2.

This is why many Indian nationals consider downgrading from EB-2 to EB-3. The wait times are nearly identical right now, and EB-3 has sometimes moved faster. But downgrading isn't a simple decision. You'd need to file a new PERM labor certification and I-140 petition, which costs money and takes time. If dates shift later, you could end up worse off.

EB-2 and EB-3 China: Also Frozen

China saw no movement either. EB-2 China remains at September 1, 2021. EB-3 China is at May 1, 2021. Both categories have multi-year backlogs, though not as severe as India.

EB-5 Investor Visas: Set-Asides Remain Current

Good news continues for EB-5 applicants investing in rural areas, high unemployment areas, or infrastructure projects. All three set-aside categories remain current for every country, including China and India.

The unreserved EB-5 category is current for most countries but backlogged for China (August 15, 2016) and India (May 1, 2022).

Family-Sponsored Categories: The Full Picture

Here's where all the family-sponsored Final Action Dates stand for February 2026:

Category	Worldwide	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	Nov 8, 2016	Nov 8, 2016	Nov 8, 2016	Dec 22, 2006	Mar 1, 2013
F2A	Feb 1, 2024	Feb 1, 2024	Feb 1, 2024	Feb 1, 2023	Feb 1, 2024
F2B	Dec 1, 2016	Dec 1, 2016	Dec 1, 2016	Feb 15, 2009	Dec 22, 2012
F3	Sep 8, 2011	Sep 8, 2011	Sep 8, 2011	May 1, 2001	Mar 1, 2005
F4	Jan 8, 2008	Jan 8, 2008	Nov 1, 2006	Apr 8, 2001	Jul 22, 2006

Mexico saw the only movement this month. F1 Mexico advanced about three and a half months, and F2B Mexico moved forward three months. Every other family category stayed put.

Which Chart Should You Use in February?

USCIS decides each month whether you can use the Dates for Filing chart or if you're stuck with Final Action Dates. Check USCIS.gov/visabulletininfo at the start of February to see which chart applies.

If USCIS allows the Dates for Filing chart, here's what that looks like for employment-based categories:

Category	Worldwide	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1	Current	Aug 1, 2023	Aug 1, 2023	Current	Current
EB-2	Oct 15, 2024	Jan 1, 2022	Dec 1, 2013	Oct 15, 2024	Oct 15, 2024
EB-3	Oct 1, 2023	Jan 1, 2022	Aug 15, 2014	Oct 1, 2023	Oct 1, 2023
Other Workers	Dec 1, 2021	Oct 1, 2019	Aug 15, 2014	Dec 1, 2021	Dec 1, 2021

The Dates for Filing chart lets you submit your I-485 earlier than the Final Action Dates would allow. You won't get approved until your Final Action Date is current, but filing early lets you get work authorization (EAD) and travel documents (Advance Parole) while you wait.

Religious Workers Program Has Expired

One important change: the Certain Religious Workers (SR) category is now listed as "Unavailable" for February. The program expired on January 30, 2026. Congress had extended it through H.R. 5371 signed in November 2025, but that extension ran out.

If Congress passes new legislation to extend the program, it could become available again immediately. Watch for updates.

Your Priority Date Is Current. Now What?

If your priority date is now current under the Final Action Dates chart, here's what to do:

If you're in the U.S.: File Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence) with USCIS. Include your medical exam (Form I-693), photos, and supporting documents.
If you're abroad: Wait for the National Visa Center to schedule your immigrant visa interview at a U.S. consulate.
Gather your documents now. Don't wait until the last minute. You'll need birth certificates, marriage certificates, tax returns, employment letters, and more.
If you already filed I-485: Your case could be adjudicated once your date is current. Make sure USCIS has your current address and that your medical exam hasn't expired.

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What to Expect for March 2026

Predicting visa bulletin movement is tricky. The State Department doesn't announce changes in advance. But based on recent patterns, here are some educated guesses:

The worldwide EB-3 category might continue its slow forward movement. We saw about five weeks of progress this month, and that could continue.

India and China categories will probably stay flat or move very slowly. The backlogs are massive, and there's no sign of major legislative changes that would help.

Family-sponsored categories typically move slowly and unpredictably. Mexico might see continued progress, but don't count on it.

The March bulletin should be released in mid-February. We'll update this analysis when it comes out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing?: Final Action Dates tell you when your green card can actually be approved. Dates for Filing tell you when you can submit your application. USCIS decides each month which chart applies. If they allow Dates for Filing, you can file your I-485 earlier and get work authorization while waiting for approval.
My priority date just became current. How long until I get my green card?: It depends. If you've already filed your I-485 and completed your interview or biometrics, approval could come within weeks. If you're just filing now, expect several months for processing. USCIS processing times vary by service center.
Should I downgrade from EB-2 to EB-3?: For Indian nationals, the dates are very close right now. EB-3 India (November 15, 2013) is actually ahead of EB-2 India (July 15, 2013) by about four months. But downgrading means filing a new PERM and I-140, which takes time and money. If EB-2 speeds up while you're in the downgrade process, you could lose ground. Talk to an immigration attorney about your specific situation.
What does "Current" mean?: Current means there's no backlog. Anyone with an approved petition in that category can file for a green card regardless of when their petition was filed.
Why do India and China have such long backlogs?: The per-country limit. No single country can receive more than 7% of the employment-based green cards issued each year. Since demand from India and China far exceeds this limit, applicants from these countries face multi-year waits while applicants from other countries often have no wait at all.
Can I check if my priority date is current?: Yes. Find your priority date on your I-797 approval notice (the date your petition was filed or, for PERM cases, the date your labor certification was filed). Compare it to the appropriate date in the visa bulletin. If your priority date is earlier than the date shown, you're current.