February 2026 Visa Bulletin Update

The U.S. Department of State has officially released the Visa Bulletin for February 2026, a publication that has attracted significant attention from the immigration community at the beginning of the year. This is because the bulletin reflects important adjustments in several U.S. immigrant visa categories, particularly the skilled worker category (EB-3 Skilled) and the permanent resident family-sponsored category (F2A)..

Overall, the February 2026 Visa Bulletin presents mixed signals. While many unskilled labor and family-sponsored categories remain unchanged, EB-3 Skilled and F2A show notable progress, creating new opportunities for long-waiting applicants.

EB-3 Skilled Workers: Clear Positive Momentum

EB-3 Skilled Workers and professionals are the biggest beneficiaries of this Visa Bulletin. The advancement in both Chart A and Chart B demonstrates the U.S. immigration authorities’ strong efforts to reduce the long-standing backlog.

Chart A – Final Action Dates

• Advanced by 5 weeks: from April 22, 2023 to June 1, 2023 
• This means that cases with priority dates before June 2023 may soon be scheduled for interviews and receive immigrant visas or green cards.

Chart B – Dates for Filing

• Advanced significantly by 12 weeks (approximately 3 months) 
• From July 1, 2023 to October 1, 2023

This indicates a strong recovery trend for EB-3 Skilled, especially benefiting applicants who have completed PERM and I-140 and are waiting to file their immigrant applications.

EB-3 Other Workers: Remains Unchanged

In contrast, EB-3 Other Workers shows no movement in both charts for February 2026.

• Priority Date: Remains at September 1, 2021 
• Estimated waiting time: Approximately 4 years
  

Although there is no forward movement, the absence of retrogression is still a positive sign, indicating that processing remains stable and uninterrupted.

EB-5: Continues to Be “Current” – The Fastest and Safest Immigration Option

Meanwhile, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program continues to maintain its position as the fastest route to U.S. permanent residence for financially qualified families.

• Status: Current for most countries, including Vietnam 
• Key benefits include: 
  • No waiting for priority dates 
  • Concurrent filing of I-526 and I-485 if legally present in the U.S. 
  • Significantly shortened processing time and faster green card issuance for the entire family

As a result, EB-5 remains an optimal solution for investors seeking to settle, study, and do business in the U.S. within a short time frame.

Family-Sponsored Visas: F2A as a Rare Bright Spot

While family-sponsored categories such as F1, F2B, F3, and F4 remain stagnant, F2A (spouses and children under 21 of permanent residents) stands out as the only bright spot in the February 2026 Visa Bulletin, showing positive movement in Chart B.

F2A – Chart B Update

• Advanced by 31 days (approximately 4 weeks) 
• Priority Date moved from December 22, 2025 to January 22, 2026

This advancement allows permanent resident families to open cases earlier and shorten reunification timelines. It also reflects the U.S. government’s priority in processing immediate-family-related cases.

Strategic Analysis from OMG VISA Immigration Experts

Based on the February 2026 Visa Bulletin,experts recommend Vietnamese applicants:

• EB-3 Skilled: Applicants with priority dates before October 2023 should complete civil documents, medical exams, and police certificates as soon as possible. The 12-week advancement in Chart B represents a critical opportunity to accelerate case progress. 
• EB-5: This is an ideal time to invest while the category remains Current. However, this status may change as application volumes from Vietnam and other Asian countries continue to increase. 
• Applicants currently in the U.S.: Closely monitor Chart B to file Form I-485 at the appropriate time in order to maintain lawful status.