The January 2026 Visa Bulletin shows meaningful forward movement in several key employment-based and diversity visa categories. This update is particularly significant for EB-2 applicants and European DV Lottery selectees.
Family-Based Category Update (F2B)
The F2B category (unmarried adult children of lawful permanent residents) recorded limited forward movement in the Dates for Filing, advancing from March 8, 2017 to March 15, 2017. The Final Action Date remained unchanged at December 1, 2016, indicating continued backlogs but slight progress for applicants preparing to file.
Diversity Visa (DV) Program Update — Europe
Under the Diversity Visa (DV) Program, the Europe region experienced a significant increase in visa availability. The cutoff number rose to 11,000 for February, up from 8,500, reflecting steady progress in DV number usage and improved prospects for European selectees.
Employment-Based Visa Category Updates
EB-2 Category
The EB-2 category saw meaningful advancement:
- Dates for Filing: moved from July 15, 2024 to October 15, 2024
- Final Action Date: advanced from February 1, 2024 to April 1, 2024
This change improves filing and adjustment opportunities for EB-2 applicants, particularly those from countries with lower demand.
EB-3 Category
The EB-3 category remained unchanged in the Dates for Filing at July 1, 2023, while the Final Action Date advanced slightly from April 15, 2023 to April 22, 2023, reflecting modest forward movement.
Other Workers (EW) Category
The Other Workers category showed incremental progress: Final Action Date advanced from August 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021, while Dates for Filing remained unchanged at December 1, 2021.
What This Update Means for Applicants
| Category | Impact |
|---|---|
| EB-2 applicants | Expanded filing and adjustment opportunities |
| DV Europe selectees | Increased visa availability — act quickly |
| Family-based F2B | Continue to face long waits with limited progress |
| EB-3 and Other Workers | Remain backlogged but continue gradual movement |
Applicants should closely monitor monthly Visa Bulletin changes, especially those approaching eligibility windows.
Key Takeaway
January 2026 brings good news for EB-2 applicants and European DV selectees. Monitor the bulletin monthly and act immediately when filing windows open — dates can advance or retrogress without warning.