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US Visa Bulletin for January 2026: What Applicants Need to Know
The January 2026 Visa Bulletin released by the United States provides updated information on immigrant visa availability, including family-sponsored, employment-based, and Diversity Visa (DV) categories.
For individuals planning to move to the US permanently, this bulletin determines who can proceed with visa processing or adjustment of status based on their priority date.
What Is the US Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication that shows:
- Which immigrant visa categories are current
- Which categories are backlogged
- The priority dates applicants must meet to move forward
Applicants must usually follow the Final Action Dates, unless USCIS officially allows use of the Dates for Filing chart.
Family-Sponsored Visas: Backlogs Continue
Family-based immigration remains heavily oversubscribed, especially for applicants from high-demand countries.
Key observations:
- F1 (Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens): Long waiting periods across most countries
- F2A (Spouses and minor children of green card holders): Limited progress, with partial exemptions from per-country limits
- F3 and F4 categories: Significant delays, with some priority dates more than 15 years old
Applicants must have a priority date earlier than the listed cut-off date to receive a visa or adjust status.
Employment-Based Visas: Uneven Progress Across Categories
Employment-based immigrant visas show mixed movement depending on category and country.
Highlights:
- EB-1 (Priority Workers): Current for most countries
- EB-2 and EB-3: Continued backlogs, particularly for India and China
- Other Workers category: Very limited availability due to annual caps
- EB-5 investor visas: Reserved categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) remain current
The annual employment-based visa limit for FY 2026 remains at least 140,000.
Diversity Visa (DV-2026): Time-Sensitive Opportunities
The January bulletin confirms that DV-2026 visas are available across all regions, subject to regional rank cut-offs.
Important points:
- Each region has a maximum allocation
- No country can receive more than 7% of total DV visas
- All DV-2026 visas must be issued by 30 September 2026
Applicants who delay risk losing eligibility even if selected.
Religious Worker Visas: January 2026 Deadline
The Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category is currently extended only until 30 January 2026.
This means:
- No visas can be issued after 29 January 2026
- Applicants must enter the US before the deadline
- If not extended by law, the category will become unavailable immediately
What This Means for Immigrant Visa Applicants
- Family-sponsored applicants should prepare for long waiting times
- Employment-based applicants must monitor priority date movement closely
- Diversity Visa winners should act early and complete documentation quickly
- Filing under the wrong chart or missing deadlines can cause serious delays
WorkPermitCheck Insight
The January 2026 Visa Bulletin confirms that US immigration remains strictly quota-based. While some employment and investment categories offer opportunities, family-based immigration continues to face long delays. Careful planning, correct filing strategy, and ongoing status checks are essential for success.
Key Takeaway
The US Visa Bulletin for January 2026 highlights continued pressure on family-sponsored visas, selective progress in employment-based categories, and strict deadlines for Diversity Visa applicants. Staying informed and acting early remains critical for all US immigrant visa applicants.
January 6, 2026
