US Visa Bulletin January 2026

The January 2026 US Visa Bulletin is an important document published by the US Department of State, helping immigration applicants understand their visa status in the first month of the 2026 fiscal year.

By regulation, the global family-sponsored visa limit is 226,000 and the employment-based limit is at least 140,000 for the 2026 fiscal year.

Typically, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires the use of the Final Action Dates chart for adjustment of status applications within the US, unless otherwise notified on their official website. The January 2026 bulletin shows progress in some employment categories such as first preference and investment, but backlogs persist for India and mainland China. This article, from an immigration expert’s perspective, will provide a detailed analysis of the charts, notable changes, and practical implications for Vietnamese applicants.

In reality, the bulletin reflects high visa demand from various countries, with a per-country limit of only 7% of the total quota. This information helps applicants plan their filings more accurately.

View the original bulletin at here.

Process for determining priority dates in the January 2026 US Visa Bulletin

The process for determining priority dates in the January 2026 US Visa Bulletin is based on reports from consulates and USCIS regarding applicants with complete documentation. Visas are allocated in the order of priority dates received before 2 December 2025. If demand exceeds the limit, the category becomes backlogged and the cut-off date is set at the first priority date that did not reach the limit.

According to the Immigration and Nationality Act, the per-country limit is 7% of total preference visas (25,620), and the dependent area limit is 2% (7,320). Currently, backlogged areas include mainland China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines. If the annual limit is reached, the category becomes unavailable and no further visas are issued.

Objectively, this process ensures fair chronological allocation, but causes long backlogs in high-demand countries. To explain further, if a cut-off date needs to be retrogressed during the month, only additional requests submitted on the newly announced date are accepted.

List of main visa allocation steps:

1. Collect reports of applicants with complete documentation from consulates and USCIS.
2. Allocate in order of priority date.
3. Set a cut-off date if the limit is exceeded.
4. Apply country and area limits.

Transparent processes help forecast monthly progress.

Final Action Dates for family-sponsored preference

The Final Action Dates for family-sponsored preference in the January 2026 US Visa Bulletin show limited progress in many categories. Category F1 (unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens) is cut off at 08 November 2016 for most countries, including Vietnam. F2A (spouses and children of permanent residents) has advanced to 01 February 2024, with Mexico partially exempt from the limit.

F2B is at 01 December 2016, F3 at 08 September 2011, and F4 at 08 January 2008. The Philippines has later dates in some categories, such as F1 at 01 March 2013.

Family-sponsored Final Action Dates table January 2026:

Item	General areas (including Vietnam)	Mainland China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	8 November 2016	8 November 2016	8 November 2016	1 September 2006	1 March 2013
F2A	1 February 2024	1 February 2024	1 February 2024	1 February 2023	1 February 2024
F2B	1 December 2016	1 December 2016	1 December 2016	15 November 2008	22 December 2012
F3	8 September 2011	8 September 2011	8 September 2011	1 May 2001	1 March 2005
F4	8 January 2008	8 January 2008	1 November 2006	8 April 2001	22 July 2006

Special note: F2A Mexico is partially exempt from the limit. For Vietnamese applicants in general areas, progress is slow in F4 and F3.

Dates for Filing for family-sponsored preference

Dates for Filing for family-sponsored preference in the January 2026 US Visa Bulletin allow for earlier document preparation if USCIS permits the use of this chart. F2A is current with a date of 22 December 2025 for all countries, meaning you can file immediately if your priority date is earlier. F1 is at 01 September 2017, and F4 is at 01 March 2009 for most.

Analysis: this chart helps family-sponsored applicants file documents early, reducing waiting time after approval. USCIS usually applies this to family-sponsored categories; check the monthly notice on their website.

Family-sponsored Dates for Filing table January 2026:

Item	General areas (including Vietnam)	Mainland China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	1 September 2017	1 September 2017	1 September 2017	1 September 2007	22 April 2015
F2A	22 December 2025	22 December 2025	22 December 2025	22 December 2025	22 December 2025
F2B	15 March 2017	15 March 2017	15 March 2017	15 November 2009	1 October 2013
F3	22 July 2012	22 July 2012	22 July 2012	1 July 2001	1 February 2006
F4	1 March 2009	1 March 2009	15 December 2006	30 April 2001	15 January 2008

Vietnamese applicants benefit significantly from the current F2A status and can file immediately.

Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing for employment-based preference

The Final Action Dates for employment-based preference in the January 2026 US Visa Bulletin bring good news with the first preference being current for most countries, except China and India at 01 February 2023. The second preference is at 01 April 2024 for general areas, but India is at 15 July 2013 and China at 01 September 2021.

The third preference is at 22 April 2023 for general areas, and other workers at 01 September 2021. Investment (unreserved) is current except for China at 15 August 2016 and India at 01 May 2022. Analysis: progress in the first preference helps reduce backlogs from China and India.

Employment-based Final Action Dates table (summary):

Item	General areas (including Vietnam)	Mainland China	India	Mexico	Philippines
First preference	Current	1 February 2023	1 February 2023	Current	Current
Second preference	1 April 2024	1 September 2021	15 July 2013	1 April 2024	1 April 2024
Third preference	22 April 2023	1 May 2021	15 November 2013	22 April 2023	22 April 2023
Other workers	1 September 2021	8 December 2018	15 November 2013	1 September 2021	1 September 2021
Non-reserved investment	Current	15 August 2016	1 May 2022	Current	Current

The application filing date is moving forward, which helps with early preparation.

Analysis of changes and forecasts for Vietnamese applicants

The January 2026 US Visa Bulletin is particularly favourable for Vietnamese applicants in the all-chargeability areas, with the first preference and current investment categories. The family-sponsored permanent resident spouse and child category (F2A) has advanced significantly, allowing for immediate filing. However, backlogs in India and China continue to persist, indirectly affecting global allocation.

Objectively, the slow progress in the sibling category (F4) reflects long-standing accumulated demand. It is projected that in 2026, categories for all-chargeability areas may advance by 3-6 months each quarter if demand remains stable. For Vietnam, if the priority date is earlier than the final action cut-off date, an interview or adjustment of status may be possible soon.

List of practical advice:

• Compare your priority date against both charts.
• Prepare full documentation if the filing date allows.
• Monitor the monthly bulletin on the Department of State website.
• Contact an expert if your file is complex or backlogged.

These steps help optimise waiting times.

Special notes in the January 2026 bulletin

The January 2026 bulletin notes that religious workers are extended until 30 January 2026, after which they will be unavailable unless Congress provides an extension. Diversity visas have decreased to approximately 52,000 due to NACARA adjustments. Special visas for US government employees continue to be allocated.

In analysis, these notes directly affect the fourth preference and diversity visa categories, requiring applicants to act quickly. To explain further, diversity visas are allocated by region to ensure fairness.

Conclusion

The January 2026 US Visa Bulletin begins the new fiscal year with positive progress in many employment categories and the F2A family category. With final action dates and detailed filing dates, Vietnamese applicants have a significant advantage in all-chargeability areas. Please check your individual priority date and prepare your file in a timely manner.