Visa Lawyer Blog
We are pleased to report that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has published the January 2026 Visa Bulletin.
In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month.
USCIS Adjustment of Status
For adjustment of status filings to permanent residence in the month of January, USCIS has not yet indicated which filing chart it will use for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
Highlights of the January 2026 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of January?
Employment-Based Categories
Final Action Advancements
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will advance by 10 months to February 1, 2023
- EB-1 China will advance by 10 days to February 1, 2023
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will advance by 2 months to July 15, 2013
- EB-2 China will advance by 3 months to September 1, 2021
- All other countries will advance by 2 months to April 1, 2024
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 1.8 months to November 15, 2013
- EB-3 China will advance by 1 month to May 1, 2021
- All other countries will advance by 1 week to April 22, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 1.8 months to November 15, 2013
- EB-3 China will advance by 1 year to December 8, 2018
- All other countries will advance by 1 month to September 1, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants & Religious Workers
- All countries will advance by 4 months to January 1, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will advance by 10 months to May 1, 2022
- EB-5 China will advance by 1 month to August 15, 2016
Dates for Filing Advancements
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will advance by 4 months to August 15, 2023
- EB-1 China will advance by 3 months to August 15, 2023
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 China will advance by 1 month to January 1, 2022
- Except India, All other countries will advance by 3 months to October 15, 2024
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 China will advance by 1 year to October 1, 2019
EB-4 Special Immigrants & Religious Workers
- EB-4 will advance by 1 month to March 15, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will advance by 2 years to May 1, 2024
- EB-5 China will advance by 1 month to August 22, 2016
Family-Sponsored Categories
Final Action Advancements
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 6 months to September 1, 2006
- F1 Philippines will advance by 1.2 months to March 1, 2013
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance by 6 months to November 15, 2008
- F2B Philippines will advance by 2.5 months to December 22, 2012
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Philippines will advance by 3.9 months to March 1, 2005
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Philippines will advance by 1 week to July 22, 2006
Dates for Filing Advancements
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 6 months to September 1, 2007
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- All countries will advance by 1 month to December 22, 2025
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance by 6 months to November 15, 2009
- Except Philippines, All other countries will advance by 1 week to March 15, 2017
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Philippines will advance by 3 months to February 1, 2006
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Philippines will advance by 2 weeks to January 15, 2008
Employment-Based Categories
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories in the month of January.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will advance by 10 months to February 1, 2023
- EB-1 China will advance by 10 days to February 1, 2023
- All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will advance by 2 months to July 15, 2013
- EB-2 China will advance by 3 months to September 1, 2021
- All other countries will advance by 2 months to April 1, 2024
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 1.8 months to November 15, 2013
- EB-3 China will advance by 1 month to May 1, 2021
- All other countries will advance by 1 week to April 22, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 1.8 months to November 15, 2013
- EB-3 China will advance by 1 year to December 8, 2018
- All other countries will advance by 1 month to September 1, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants & Religious Workers
- All countries will advance by 4 months to January 1, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will advance by 10 months to May 1, 2022
- EB-5 China will advance by 1 month to August 15, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will remain current
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01FEB23 | 01FEB23 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01APR24 | 01SEP21 | 15JUL13 | 01APR24 | 01APR24 |
| 3rd | 22APR23 | 01MAY21 | 15NOV13 | 22APR23 | 22APR23 |
| Other Workers | 01SEP21 | 08DEC18 | 15NOV13 | 01SEP21 | 01SEP21 |
| 4th | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) |
C | 15AUG16 | 01MAY22 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%, including NR, RR) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%, including NH, RH) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%, including RI) |
C | C | C | C | C |
DATES FOR FILING FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply in January.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will advance by 4 months to August 15, 2023
- EB-1 China will advance by 3 months to August 15, 2023
- All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will remain at December 1, 2013
- EB-2 China will advance by 1 month to January 1, 2022
- All other countries will advance by 3 months to October 15, 2024
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at August 15, 2014
- EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2022
- All other countries will remain at July 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at August 15, 2014
- EB-3 China will advance by 1 year to October 1, 2019
- All other countries will remain at December 1, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants & Religious Workers
- EB-4 will advance by 1 month to March 15, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will advance by 2 years to May 1, 2024
- EB-5 China will advance by 1 month to August 22, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 15AUG23 | 15AUG23 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15OCT24 | 01JAN22 | 01DEC13 | 15OCT24 | 15OCT24 |
| 3rd | 01JUL23 | 01JAN22 | 15AUG14 | 01JUL23 | 01JUL23 |
| Other Workers | 01DEC21 | 01OCT19 | 15AUG14 | 01DEC21 | 01DEC21 |
| 4th | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 22AUG16 | 01MAY24 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Rural: NR, RR – 20%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment: NH, RH – 10%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure: RI – 2%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s January 2026 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of January.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 6 months to September 1, 2006
- F1 Philippines will advance by 1.2 months to March 1, 2013
- F1 All other countries will remain at November 8, 2016
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A Mexico will remain at February 1, 2023
- F2A All other countries will remain at February 1, 2024
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance by 6 months to November 15, 2008
- F2B Philippines will advance by 2.5 months to December 22, 2012
- F2B All other countries will remain at December 1, 2016
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at May 1, 2001
- F3 Philippines will advance by 3.9 months to March 1, 2005
- F3 All other countries will remain at September 8, 2011
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 8, 2001
- F4 Philippines will advance by 1 week to July 22, 2006
- F4 India will remain at November 1, 2006
- F4 All other countries will remain at January 8, 2008
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | 01SEP06 | 01MAR13 |
| F2A | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB23 | 01FEB24 |
| F2B | 01DEC16 | 01DEC16 | 01DEC16 | 15NOV08 | 22DEC12 |
| F3 | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | 01MAY01 | 01MAR05 |
| F4 | 08JAN08 | 08JAN08 | 01NOV06 | 08APR01 | 22JUL06 |
DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s January 2026 Visa Bulletin, the following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of January
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 6 months to September 1, 2007
- F1 Philippines will remain at April 22, 2015
- All other countries will remain at September 1, 2017
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- All countries will advance by 1 month to December 22, 2025
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance by 6 months to November 15, 2009
- F2B Philippines will remain at October 1, 2013
- F2B All other countries will advance by 1 week to March 15, 2017
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at July 1, 2001
- F3 Philippines will advance by 3 months to February 1, 2006
- F3 All other countries will remain at July 22, 2012
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 30, 2001
- F4 Philippines will advance by 2 weeks to January 15, 2008
- F4 India will remain at December 15, 2006
- All other countries will remain at March 1, 2009
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP07 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 22DEC25 | 22DEC25 | 22DEC25 | 22DEC25 | 22DEC25 |
| F2B | 15MAR17 | 15MAR17 | 15MAR17 | 15NOV09 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 01JUL01 | 01FEB06 |
| F4 | 01MAR09 | 01MAR09 | 15DEC06 | 30APR01 | 15JAN08 |
Conclusion
January’s Visa Bulletin brings strong movement across the board. In the Final Action Date chart, the biggest winners in the employment-sponsored categories are EB-1 India which will advance by 10 months to February 1, 2023, EB-3 China Other Workers will advance by 1 year to December 8, 2018, and EB-5 India Unreserved will advance by 10 months to May 1, 2022.
In the Dates for Filing Chart, EB-3 China Other Workers will advance by 1 year to October 1, 2019, and EB-5 India Unreserved will advance by 2 years to May 1, 2024.
In the Final Action Dates chart for the family-sponsored categories, the biggest winners were F1 Mexico advancing by 6 months to September 1, 2006, and F2B Mexico advancing 6 months to November 15, 2008.
In the Dates for Filing Chart, F1 Mexico will advance by 6 months to September 1, 2007 and F2B Mexico will advance by 6 months to November 15, 2009.
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