What Is a Priority Date?

Your priority date is your place in line. • For employment-based cases, it is usually the date your PERM labor certification was filed, or the I-140 filing date if PERM is not required. • For family-based cases, it is usually the date the immigrant petition (Form I-130) was filed.

What Are Cutoff Dates?

Each month, the Visa Bulletin lists a cutoff date for each category and country. • If your priority date is earlier than the cutoff date, your case is considered current. • If your priority date is later than the cutoff date, you must wait. Think of the cutoff date as the point the government has reached in the line for that month.

What Does “Current” Mean?

When a category shows Current, there is no waiting line for that category and country. Applicants can move forward as soon as their case is otherwise ready.

Why Do Dates Move or Stop?

Dates can move forward, stay the same, or even move backward based on: • How many green cards are available that year • How many people are applying in each category • Country-based limits set by law This is why movement can be slow or pause entirely, especially for high-demand countries.

February 2026 Visa Bulletin: What’s Changed for Employment-Based Cases

Key Takeaways

The only forward movement is in EB-3 for most countries (all countries except India and China). Final Action Dates move to June 1, 2023, and Dates for Filing move to October 1, 2023.
Most employment-based categories do not change in February 2026. EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 for India and China all remain at the same cutoff dates as January.

What Is the Visa Bulletin?

The Visa Bulletin is a monthly update from the U.S. Department of State that shows when people can move forward in the green card process. Because there are limits on how many green cards can be issued each year, not everyone can apply at once.

Each bulletin lists cutoff dates by category and country. If your priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff, you are eligible to proceed. Priority dates are your place in line based on when your petition was filed.

The Visa Bulletin includes two charts:

Final Action Dates — These show when a green card can actually be approved.
Dates for Filing — These show when you may submit your application, if USCIS authorizes use of this chart in a given month.

USCIS posts monthly guidance confirming whether applicants should use the Dates for Filing chart or the Final Action Dates chart when filing adjustment of status.

For February 2026, USCIS is honoring the Dates for Filing chart, so eligible applicants inside the U.S. may file their adjustment of status applications using those dates, even if the Final Action Dates have not yet advanced.

Employment-Based Dates for Filing

EB-1

China: August 1, 2023
India: August 1, 2023
All other countries: Current

EB-2

China: January 1, 2022
India: December 1, 2013
All other countries: October 15, 2024

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers

China: January 1, 2022
India: August 15, 2014
All other countries: October 1, 2023

EB-3 Other Workers

China: October 1, 2019
India: August 15, 2014
All other countries: December 1, 2021

EB-4

All countries: March 15, 2021

EB-4 Certain Religious Workers

Unavailable unless the program is extended

EB-5 Unreserved

China: August 22, 2016
India: May 1, 2024
All other countries: Current

EB-5 Set-Aside Categories

All remain current

What Applicants Should Keep in Mind

Small changes matter. Even limited movement can affect eligibility to file or receive approval.
Country of chargeability is critical. Applicants from India and China continue to experience significantly longer waits than those from other countries.
Mid–fiscal year caution is typical. Slower movement at this stage helps the government manage visa numbers through September.

If your priority date is close to becoming current, or if you are considering strategy changes (such as category upgrades or filing timing), legal guidance is especially important. Need help understanding your options? Ellis can help– get in touch today.

This update is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.