February 2026 Visa Bulletin: What Employers Need to Know

The U.S. Department of State has released the February 2026 Visa Bulletin, showing modest advancement in the EB-3 employment-based category for several countries. However, China (mainland) and India continue to face significant backlogs, with little to no forward movement. Ongoing processing delays and per-country limits continue to create uncertainty for employment-based immigration timelines.

What This Means for Employers

Organizations sponsoring permanent residence should factor longer lead times into workforce planning and succession strategies. Early coordination on temporary work authorization extensions is critical to prevent gaps in employment eligibility. Clear, proactive communication with impacted employees can also help reduce frustration and mitigate retention risks.

As immigration timelines remain unpredictable, planning ahead and setting realistic expectations is essential.