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Green card update: Any relief for Indian applicants? All on new visa bulletin
The February 2026 US Visa Bulletin shows stagnation for Indian green card applicants, with no advancements or setbacks in employment categories.
The February 2026 US Visa Bulletin presents a familiar standstill for Indian green card applicants. After the evident employment-driven momentum observed late last year and in January, February emerges as a month of stabilization, with no new advancements, no setbacks, and no respite for families who have been waiting for a long time.
Employment-based Final Action Dates – India (February 2026)
The EB-1 category remains unchanged as of February 1, 2023, whereas EB-2 progresses to July 15, 2013, highlighting the significant backlog faced by highly skilled Indian professionals.
Similarly, EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers show no progress for India, remaining at November 15, 2013, despite other nations experiencing slight advancements.
In the EB-5 investor category, India is still at May 1, 2022, for unreserved visas, while the set-aside categories are current, providing limited options for eligible Indian investors.
EB-1: February 1, 2023 (remains the same)
EB-2: July 15, 2013 (remains the same)
EB-3: November 15, 2013 (remains the same)
EB-3 Other Workers: November 15, 2013 (remains the same)
EB-4: January 1, 2021 (remains the same)
Certain Religious Workers: Unavailable
EB-5 Unreserved: May 1, 2022 (remains the same)
Following several months of progress through late 2025 and January, February appears to be a month of stabilization — no retrogression has occurred, but there are also no new openings.
Family-sponsored green cards: Queues remain unchanged
In contrast to the stability observed in employment categories, there has been no progress for family-sponsored applicants. February reflects January precisely — a continuation of prolonged stagnation.
Family-sponsored Final Action Dates – India (February 2026)
F1 (unmarried adult children of US citizens): November 8, 2016
F2A (spouses and children of permanent residents): February 1, 2024
F2B (unmarried adult children of residents): December 1, 2016
F3 (married children of US citizens): September 8, 2011
F4 (siblings of US citizens): November 1, 2006
With no movement in Final Action dates, February does not provide any new approvals for Indian families who are already enduring waits that extend well beyond a decade in various categories.
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Family-sponsored dates for filing – India (February 2026)
F1: September 1, 2017 (remains unchanged)
F2A: January 22, 2026 (unchanged from the advance of January)
F2B: March 15, 2017 (remains unchanged)
F3: July 22, 2012 (remains unchanged)
F4: December 15, 2006 (remains unchanged)
The only significant procedural flexibility is found in F2A, where filing dates are significantly ahead of final action, enabling eligible families to submit their paperwork even while approvals are limited to February 2024.
February’s bulletin impact on applicants from India
The February Visa Bulletin highlights a distinct division in the green card situation for India:
Employment-based categories are maintaining their recent advancements, with no retraction but also no increase in speed.
Family-based categories continue to be fundamentally stalled, with filing relief providing access to paperwork instead of expedited green cards.
