January 2026 Visa Bulletin

By: Navdeep Meamber

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the January 2026 Visa Bulletin, which outlines the availability of immigrant visas for family-sponsored and employment-based categories according to applicants’ priority date.

Changes in January 2026 Visa Bulletin

According to the January 2026 Visa Bulletin, employment-based “Dates for Filing” chart shows advancement for most countries and categories. However, EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers category for all countries will remain the same as in the December 2025 Visa Bulletin. The EB-3 Other Workers category for all countries also remains the same except for China which will advance by one year to October 1, 2019. The “Dates for Filing” chart will advance for most countries and categories, however EB-3 Dates for Filing remain the same as in the December 2025 Visa Bulletin.

The employment-based “Final Action” chart will advance in the following categories:

• EB-1:

• China will advance one week to February 1, 2023

• India will advance by almost one year to February 1, 2023

• EB-2:

• China will advance by three months to September 1, 2021
• India will advance by two months to July 15, 2013
•  All other countries will advance by two months to April 1, 2024.

• EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers:

• China will advance by one month to May 1, 2021
•  India will advance by almost two months to November 15, 2013
•  All other countries will advance by one week to April 22, 2023

• EB-5:

• China will advance by one month to August 15, 2016
• India will advance by ten months to May 1, 2022

The Visa Bulletin has two different charts per visa preference category

Final Action Dates (Chart A)

• • • This determines when a visa number is available for issuance based on an applicant’s priority date. If a category shows a specific date (e.g., "01JAN25"), only applicants with a priority date before that date are eligible; if it shows "C" (Current): Visas are available to all applicants regardless of priority date; and if it shows "U" (Unavailable): Visas are unavailable for issuance.

 Dates for Filing (Chart B)

• For consular processing (outside the U.S.): The Dates for Filing chart lists the earliest priority dates when the National Visa Center (NVC) will notify applicants to assemble and submit civil documents and fees.

For Adjustment of Status (filing Form I-485 in the U.S.): Each month, USCIS decides which chart an applicant may use to file the I-485, Adjustment of Status (AOS) application. If USCIS determines that there are enough immigrant visas available to accommodate additional filings, it then lists the Dates for Filing chart to be used for AOS filings that month. Otherwise, the applicant must wait until their priority date becomes current under Final Action Dates to file the I-485, AOS application.

• Final Action Date Chart (Chart A) Update Highlights:
• EB-1:
  • China: February 1, 2023
  •  India: February 1, 2023
  • All other countries not listed above: Current.
• EB-2:
  • China: September 1, 2021
  • India: July 15, 2013
  • All other countries not listed above: April 1, 2024
• EB-3 (Professionals/Skilled):
  • China: May 1, 2021
  • India: November 15, 2013
  • All other countries not listed above: April 22, 2023
• EB-3 Other Workers:
  • China: December 8, 2018
  • India: November 15, 2013
  • All other countries not listed above: September 1, 2021
• EB-4:
  • All countries: January 1, 2021
  • Certain Religious Workers: January 1, 2021
• EB-5 (Unreserved):
  • China: August 15, 2016
  • India: May 1, 2022
  • All other countries not listed above: Current.
  • Set-Aside (Rural/High Unemployment/Infrastructure): Current

Dates for Filing (Chart B) Update Highlights:

• EB-1:
  • China: August 15, 2023
  •  India: August 15, 2023
  • All countries not listed above: Current
• EB-2:
  • China: January 1, 2022
  • India: December 1, 2013
  • All countries not listed above: October 15, 2024
• EB-3:
  • China: January 1, 2022
  • India: August 15, 2014
  • All countries not listed above: July 1, 2023
• Other Workers:
  • China: October 1, 2019
  • India: August 15, 2014
  • All countries not listed above: December 1, 2021
• EB-4:
  • All countries: March 15, 2021
• EB-5 Unreserved:
  • China: August 22, 2016
  • India: May 1, 2024
  • Set-Asides Current

USCIS has announced that it will accept the Dates for Filing chart for January 2026 Adjustment of Status filings.

If your priority date is earlier than the date listed in  Chart B, for your EB category, please contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration professional.