The January 2026 Visa Bulletin brings meaningful movement in several employment-based and diversity visa categories. Understanding these shifts is critical for applicants managing filing windows, priority dates, and green card timelines. Here is a complete breakdown of all changes.
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 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.
EB-2 Category Movement
The EB-2 category saw meaningful advancement this month:
- 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 who have been waiting for a filing window to open. Applicants should act promptly when Dates for Filing are current.
EB-3 Category Movement
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 but continued backlog pressure.
Other Workers (EW) Category
The Other Workers category showed incremental progress with the Final Action Date advancing from August 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021. The Dates for Filing remained unchanged at December 1, 2021.
What This Update Means for Applicants
EB-2 applicants benefit from expanded filing and adjustment opportunities this month. DV Europe selectees have increased visa availability. EB-3 and Other Workers continue gradual movement. All applicants should monitor monthly Visa Bulletin changes closely.
Applicants should closely monitor monthly Visa Bulletin changes, especially those approaching eligibility windows. Remember that retrogression remains a risk — dates that advance this month may not continue to advance at the same pace next month.
⚠️ Not Legal Advice. This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws, fees, and procedures change frequently. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed U.S. immigration attorney.