U.S. Visa Bulletin: January 2026 Priority Dates
Key cutoff dates for family- and employment-based green cards, plus DV-2026 lottery updates.
Nahda Office reviewed the January 2026 Visa Bulletin to highlight the dates that matter most for families and professionals applying from Jordan and the region. Use the summary below to plan document collection, interview readiness, and filing strategy.
Quick Highlights
- 1F1 is at 08NOV16 for most countries, 01SEP06 for Mexico, and 01MAR13 for Philippines.
- 2F2A stays at 01FEB24 worldwide; Mexico at 01FEB23.
- 3EB-1 is Current for All Chargeability and Mexico/Philippines; China at 01FEB23, India at 01FEB23.
- 4EB-2 for All Chargeability is 01APR24; China is 01SEP21, India is 15JUL13.
- 5DV-2026 rank number for Africa is 35,000 (Egypt 16,000); Asia 15,000 (Nepal 6,000).
A. Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Preference Cases
These cut-off dates determine when immigrant visas may be issued or green cards approved. Applicants must have a priority date earlier than the date listed for their category and chargeability area.
| Category | All Chargeability | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | 01SEP06 | 01MAR13 |
| F2A | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB23 | 01FEB24 |
| F2B | 01DEC16 | 01DEC16 | 01DEC16 | 15NOV08 | 22DEC12 |
| F3 | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | 01MAY01 | 01MAR05 |
| F4 | 08JAN08 | 08JAN08 | 01NOV06 | 08APR01 | 22JUL06 |
F2A remains at 01FEB24 worldwide; Mexico remains at 01FEB23.
B. Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications
USCIS will announce whether applicants inside the United States may use the Dates for Filing chart. Always confirm on the USCIS Visa Bulletin page before submitting an adjustment of status package.
| Category | All Chargeability | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP07 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 22DEC25 | 22DEC25 | 22DEC25 | 22DEC25 | 22DEC25 |
| F2B | 15MAR17 | 15MAR17 | 15MAR17 | 15NOV09 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 01JUL01 | 01FEB06 |
| F4 | 01MAR09 | 01MAR09 | 15DEC06 | 30APR01 | 15JAN08 |
A. Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases
Employment categories show new dates for January 2026.
| Category | All Chargeability | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 01FEB23 | 01FEB23 | C | C |
| EB-2 | 01APR24 | 01SEP21 | 15JUL13 | 01APR24 | 01APR24 |
| EB-3 | 22APR23 | 01MAY21 | 15NOV13 | 22APR23 | 22APR23 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | 01SEP21 | 08DEC18 | 15NOV13 | 01SEP21 | 01SEP21 |
| EB-4 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| EB-4 Certain Religious Workers | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C | 08DEC15 | 01FEB21 | C | C |
| EB-5 Rural (20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 High Unemployment (10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 Infrastructure (2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) extended until January 30, 2026.
B. Dates for Filing of Employment-Based Visa Applications
USCIS will announce whether applicants inside the United States may use the Dates for Filing chart. Always confirm on the USCIS Visa Bulletin page before submitting an adjustment of status package.
| Category | All Chargeability | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 01AUG23 | 01AUG23 | C | C |
| EB-2 | 15OCT24 | 01JAN22 | 01DEC13 | 15OCT24 | 15OCT24 |
| EB-3 | 01JUL23 | 01JAN22 | 15AUG14 | 01JUL23 | 01JUL23 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | 01DEC21 | 01OCT19 | 15AUG14 | 01DEC21 | 01DEC21 |
| EB-4 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 |
| EB-4 Certain Religious Workers | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 | 15MAR21 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C | 22AUG16 | 01MAY24 | C | C |
| EB-5 Rural (20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 High Unemployment (10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 Infrastructure (2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
DV-2026 Lottery Rank Cut-Offs
The January bulletin confirms the highest rank numbers that can receive interview scheduling this month.
- 1Africa: 35,000 (Algeria 20,000; Egypt 16,000)
- 2Asia: 15,000 (Nepal 6,000)
- 3Europe: 8,500
- 4North America (Bahamas): 20
- 5Oceania: 1,100
- 6South America & the Caribbean: 1,850
DV-2026 visas must be issued before 30 September 2026; numbers can run out earlier.
How Nahda Office Can Support You
Our immigration team monitors every Visa Bulletin to keep Jordan-based families and professionals on track.
Share your priority date and category with us so we can confirm eligibility, prepare the NVC or USCIS filing, and organize supporting documents in advance.
What We Handle
- Document review and translation that match U.S. consular standards.
- NVC, CEAC, and DS-260 preparation with bilingual support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I can use the Dates for Filing chart?
Check the monthly USCIS update at uscis.gov/visabulletininfo. If USCIS confirms the Dates for Filing chart, you may submit an adjustment of status even if the Final Action Date is not current.
What happens once my priority date is earlier than the Final Action Date?
You become eligible for final visa issuance or green card approval. Nahda Office can help you assemble the civil documents, financial evidence, and medical forms required by NVC or USCIS.
Can Nahda Office help if my case is at the National Visa Center?
Yes. We prepare DS-260 submissions, upload civil documents, respond to NVC checklists, and schedule your interview once an appointment opens.
Official Source
Review the full January 2026 Visa Bulletin on the U.S. Department of State website.
Open the official bulletin