The United States Department of State has officially published the crucial January 2026 Visa Bulletin, providing a roadmap for thousands of immigrant visa hopefuls, including a significant number from India. This monthly update outlines the latest priority date movements across all family-based and employment-based preference categories, dictating when applicants can take the next critical step in their immigration journey.
Understanding the Two Key Visa Charts
The bulletin operates through two primary charts that applicants must carefully monitor. The 'Final Action Dates' chart indicates when a visa number is finally available, allowing for the approval of an immigrant visa or adjustment of status application. The 'Dates for Filing Applications' chart shows when applicants can begin assembling and submitting their documentation to the National Visa Center (NVC).
For those in the United States seeking to file for an adjustment of status with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the State Department clarifies that they must generally refer to the 'Final Action Dates' chart, unless USCIS specifies otherwise on its official website.
Visa Caps and Country Limits for FY 2026
The bulletin reaffirms the statutory limits on immigrant visas for the fiscal year 2026. The annual worldwide cap for family-sponsored immigrant visas is set at 226,000. For employment-based immigrants, the minimum worldwide level is 140,000.
A critical rule for high-demand countries like India is the per-country limit. US immigration law stipulates that no single country can receive more than 7% of the total family-sponsored and employment-based visas in a fiscal year. This translates to approximately 25,620 visas. Dependent areas have a separate cap set at 2%, or about 7,320 visas.
Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Visas (India)
The latest final action dates, which are the most significant for visa issuance, show varied progress for Indian applicants across different family preference categories:
F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens): 8 November 2016
F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): 1 February 2024
F2B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters, 21+, of Permanent Residents): 1 December 2016
F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens): 8 September 2011
F4 (Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens): 1 November 2006
If an applicant's priority date is earlier than the listed final action date, their visa or green card application can be approved.
Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Applications (India)
These dates allow applicants to start the paperwork process with the NVC. The filing dates for Indian applicants are:
F1: 1 September 2017
F2A: 22 December 2025
F2B: 15 March 2017
F3: 22 July 2012
F4: 15 December 2006
Applicants can proceed if their priority date is earlier than the date listed in this chart.
Employment-Based Visa Dates for Indian Professionals
The bulletin reveals the much-watched movement for employment-based categories, where Indian nationals often face the longest waits due to high demand and per-country limits.
Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Categories
First Preference (EB-1: Priority Workers): 1 February 2023
Second Preference (EB-2: Advanced Degrees/Exceptional Ability): 15 July 2013
Third Preference (EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals): 15 November 2013
Fourth Preference (EB-4: Special Immigrants & Certain Religious Workers): 1 January 2021
Fifth Preference (EB-5: Employment Creation/Investors): 1 May 2022
Dates for Filing Employment-Based Applications (India)
The filing dates, which are typically more advanced than the final action dates, offer a glimpse into future processing. For Indian applicants, they are:
EB-1: 15 August 2023
EB-2: 1 December 2013
EB-3: 15 August 2014
EB-4 (including Certain Religious Workers): 15 March 2021
EB-5: 1 May 2024
What This Means for Applicants
The release of the January 2026 bulletin provides clarity and allows applicants and their legal representatives to plan their next steps. Those with priority dates that have become current in the 'Final Action Dates' chart should prepare for the final stages of their application. Those eligible to file based on the 'Dates for Filing' chart can now gather documents and submit forms to the NVC, getting a head start on the lengthy administrative process.
Applicants are strongly advised to verify their specific priority date against the correct chart for their visa category and country of chargeability. Regular monitoring of the monthly visa bulletin is essential, as dates can move forward, backward, or remain static based on visa number availability and application demand.
