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The United States has released the Visa Bulletin for January 2026, outlining updated priority dates and visa availability for family-sponsored, employment-based, and diversity immigrant visa categories. The bulletin determines who is eligible to move forward with immigrant visa processing or adjustment of status during the month.
The updates apply to applicants worldwide and reflect demand reported through early December 2025.
Family-Sponsored Immigration: Most Categories Remain Backlogged
Family-sponsored immigrant visas continue to face long waiting periods, particularly for applicants from India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines.
Key highlights:
- F1 (Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens): Backlogged across all major chargeability areas
- F2A (Spouses and minor children of permanent residents): Partial relief, with some cases exempt from per-country limits
- F3 and F4 categories: Remain heavily oversubscribed, with priority dates dating back more than a decade for some countries
Applicants must generally rely on Final Action Dates to determine eligibility to file adjustment of status unless otherwise announced by USCIS.
Employment-Based Immigration: Mixed Movement Across Categories
Employment-based visa availability shows uneven progress depending on category and country of chargeability.
Key points:
- EB-1 (Priority Workers): Current for most countries, except China and India
- EB-2 and EB-3: Continued backlogs for India and China, with earlier priority dates required
- Other Workers (EW): Limited availability due to annual numerical caps
- EB-5 (Investor visas): Set-aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) remain current
The bulletin confirms that annual employment-based visa limits remain at a minimum of 140,000 for FY 2026.
Diversity Visa (DV-2026): Regional Cut-Offs Announced
For January 2026, Diversity Visa numbers are available across all regions, subject to rank cut-offs:
- Africa: Up to 35,000 (with lower limits for Algeria and Egypt)
- Asia: Up to 15,000 (Nepal capped at 6,000)
- Europe: Up to 8,500
- South America & Caribbean: Up to 1,850
The Department of State also released February 2026 DV cut-off numbers, showing further advancement in most regions.
All DV-2026 visas must be issued by September 30, 2026. Unused visas cannot be carried forward.
Religious Worker Visas Face January 2026 Deadline
The Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category has been extended only until January 30, 2026.
Important notes:
- No SR visas can be issued after January 29, 2026
- Applicants must be admitted to the US before the expiration date
- If Congress does not extend the program, the category will become unavailable immediately
What This Means for Applicants
- Visa backlogs remain significant in family-based categories
- Employment-based applicants must closely track priority dates
- Diversity Visa winners should act early to avoid losing eligibility
- Adjustment of status applicants must follow USCIS filing chart instructions carefully
Missing a filing window can delay cases by months or years.
WorkPermitCheck Insight
The January 2026 Visa Bulletin confirms that US immigration remains quota-driven and highly competitive. Applicants from high-demand countries face longer waits, while employment-based and DV applicants benefit from careful timing and early preparation.
The January 2026 US Visa Bulletin shows continued backlogs in family-based immigration, selective movement in employment-based categories, and time-sensitive opportunities for Diversity Visa applicants. Careful monitoring of priority dates remains critical for all US immigrant visa applicants.
January 6, 2026
