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United States | February 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 visa category advances three months for all countries except China and India

The U.S. State Department has released the February 2026 Visa Bulletin. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced filings for employment-based visa preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart in the February Bulletin, which shows movement only in the EB-3 category, advancing three months for all countries except China and India.

The Dates for Filing chart indicates who is eligible to submit their application and supporting documents for further processing, even if the green card itself is not available. Review BAL’s employer’s guide to reading the Visa Bulletin to better understand this monthly report.

Dates for Filing chart category movement:

EB-1 visa

  • China EB-1 visa Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of Aug. 1, 2023.
  • India EB-1 visa Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of Aug. 1, 2023.
  • For all other countries under the EB-1 visa category, including Mexico and the Philippines, Dates for Filing remain current.

EB-2 visa

  • China EB-2 visa Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of Jan. 1, 2022.
  • India EB-2 visa Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of Dec. 1, 2013.
  • For all other countries under the EB-2 visa category, including Mexico and the Philippines, Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of Oct. 15, 2024.

EB-3 visa

  • China EB-3 visa Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of Jan. 1, 2022.
  • India EB-3 visa Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of Aug. 15, 2014.
  • For all other countries under the EB-3 visa category, including Mexico and the Philippines, Dates for Filing advance three months, with a cutoff date of Oct. 1, 2023.

EB-5 visa (unreserved)

  • China EB-5 visa Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of Aug. 22, 2016.
  • India EB-5 visa Dates for Filing remain the same, with a cutoff date of May 1, 2024.
  • For all other countries under the EB-5 unreserved visa category, including Mexico and the Philippines, Dates for Filing remain current.

Dates for Filing Chart for Employment-Based Visa Applications

Preference Category All chargeability areas except those listed China – mainland born India Mexico Philippines
EB-1 visa Current Aug. 1, 2023 Aug. 1, 2023 Current Current
EB-2 visa Oct. 15, 2024 Jan. 1, 2022 Dec. 1, 2013 Oct. 15, 2024 Oct. 15, 2024
EB-3 visa Oct. 1, 2023 Jan. 1, 2022 Aug. 15, 2014 Oct. 1, 2023 Oct. 1, 2023
EB-5 visa (unreserved) Current Aug. 22, 2016 May 1, 2024 Current Current

Additional Information: Final Action Dates for the February Visa Bulletin can be found here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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