US Visa Bulletin Feb 2026: Little Relief for Indians
The February 2026 US Visa Bulletin has been released, and it brings minimal relief for Indian applicants in both family-sponsored and employment-based green card categories. For Indian NRIs and skilled professionals stuck on H-1B visas, the persistent green card backlogs continue to highlight the urgent need for comprehensive US immigration reform.
If you’re an Indian national waiting for your priority date to become current, this update from the U.S. Department of State offers little forward movement in key categories like EB-2 and EB-3. Wait times remain excessively long—often exceeding 10-15 years or more—due to the longstanding per-country cap of 7% on immigrant visas.
Key Highlights from the February 2026 Visa Bulletin for India
The bulletin shows stagnation or very limited progress for Indian chargeability in employment-based preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the most affected categories (based on Final Action Dates):
- EB-1 (Priority Workers): Remains at February 1, 2023 — no advancement, creating a backlog even in this top-tier category.
- EB-2 (Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability): Stuck at July 15, 2013 (or similar dates around December 1, 2013 in some reports) — effectively a 13-year wait for many applicants.
- EB-3 (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers): Frozen at November 15, 2013 (or August 15, 2014 in some subcategories) — translating to over 12 years of backlog for Indian applicants.
While some worldwide categories (Rest of World) saw minor advancements in EB-3 (e.g., to June 1, 2023), India and China-mainland born applicants saw no relief. Family-sponsored categories like F1, F2B, F3, and F4 also remain heavily backlogged for India, with dates often in the early 2000s or 2010s.
Dates for Filing (used by USCIS for adjustment of status applications) are more favorable, allowing eligible applicants to file I-485 forms earlier—sometimes 3-10 months ahead of Final Action Dates. Check the official USCIS site to confirm which chart applies this month.
Why the Persistent Green Card Backlog for Indians?
The root cause is the per-country limit in U.S. immigration law, which caps any single country at roughly 7% of the annual employment-based visas (about 140,000 total EB visas per year, spillover included). High demand from Indian talent in tech, engineering, and other skilled fields far exceeds this allocation, leading to massive queues.
Thousands of Indian H-1B visa holders extend their status year after year while waiting decades for permanent residency. This uncertainty affects career mobility, family stability, and long-term planning for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) dreaming of settling in the U.S.
Impacts on Skilled Indian Professionals
- H-1B extensions become routine, but job changes can be risky without green card portability.
- Spouses and children face dependent visa limitations.
- Mental and financial strain from prolonged uncertainty.
Without reform, these backlogs are projected to persist or worsen.
What Can You Do While Waiting?
- Monitor the Visa Bulletin monthly — Small movements can make a big difference.
- File early if your priority date qualifies under Dates for Filing.
- Explore alternatives — Such as EB-1 (if you qualify for extraordinary ability) or other pathways to reduce wait times.
- Consult an immigration attorney — Personalized advice is crucial for your case.
- Stay informed on reform efforts — Bills to eliminate or raise per-country caps have been proposed repeatedly.
At NRIGlobe.com, we help Indian NRIs navigate U.S. immigration challenges with expert guidance, updates, and resources.
The February 2026 Visa Bulletin underscores that meaningful change requires legislative action to address outdated per-country limits. Until then, patience and proactive planning remain essential for Indian applicants.
For the latest US Visa Bulletin details, priority date tracking, and personalized consultations, visit www.nriglobe.com. Don’t let backlogs hold you back—get expert support today!
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