U.S. Immigration Data

Priority dates, work visas, and labor market data

Analysis April 04, 2026

Visa Bulletin Analysis: February 2026

The Department of State has released the February 2026 Visa Bulletin. Below is our analysis of the significant movements and how they compare to our predictions.


1. Prediction vs Reality

Where our model diverged from the actual bulletin (threshold: >14 days).

Confidence interval coverage: 30 of 40 predictions (75.0%) fell within our confidence intervals. Average CI width: 540.0 days.
EB-4 ROW (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jan 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-519d
Actual Result 01 Jan 2021
+0d
Miss +519d
EB-4 China (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jan 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-519d
Actual Result 01 Jan 2021
+0d
Miss +519d
EB-4 India (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jan 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-519d
Actual Result 01 Jan 2021
+0d
Miss +519d
EB-4 Mexico (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jan 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-519d
Actual Result 01 Jan 2021
+0d
Miss +519d
EB-4 Philippines (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jan 2021
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-519d
Actual Result 01 Jan 2021
+0d
Miss +519d

2. Key Movements

Month-over-month changes for applicants.

Family-Sponsored

No significant movement observed in Family-Sponsored categories.

Employment-Based

  • EB-3 ROW advanced by 40 days to 01 Jun 2023.

Historical Pace (12-month average)

Category 12-mo avg (days/mo) vs Seasonal Avg Trend
EB-1 China 7.1 -17.0 Typical
EB-1 India 30.4 +86.3 Faster
EB-2 China 41.4 +24.5 Faster
EB-2 India 22.8 +30.5 Faster
EB-2 ROW 30.5 +10.0 Typical
EB-3 China 25.3 -9.7 Typical
EB-3 India 27.9 +21.3 Faster
EB-3 ROW 15.2 -10.3 Typical

3. Future Outlook

The overall trend is positive, with most tracked series showing forward movement.

EB-1 China Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 10 Aug 2023

Pace: 7.1 d/mo avg

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 05 Oct 2023
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Aug 2023
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 15 Aug 2023
EB-1 India Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 15 Aug 2023

Pace: 30.4 d/mo avg (faster than usual)

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 28 Jan 2024
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Aug 2023
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 15 Aug 2023
EB-2 China Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Jan 2022

Pace: 41.4 d/mo avg (faster than usual)

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 07 May 2022
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Jan 2022
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 01 Jan 2022
EB-2 India Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Dec 2013

Pace: 22.8 d/mo avg (faster than usual)

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 06 Jan 2014
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Dec 2013
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 01 Dec 2013
EB-2 ROW Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 15 Oct 2024

Pace: 30.5 d/mo avg

Model confidence: Moderate

EB-3 China Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Jan 2022

Pace: 25.3 d/mo avg

Model confidence: Moderate

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 08 Apr 2022
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Jan 2022
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 01 Jan 2022
EB-3 India Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 15 Aug 2014

Pace: 27.9 d/mo avg (faster than usual)

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 06 Nov 2014
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Aug 2014
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 15 Aug 2014
EB-3 ROW Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Oct 2023

Pace: 15.2 d/mo avg

Model confidence: Moderate

Expert Model Signals
  • EB-1 China is in an **advancing** pattern with consistent forward movement.
  • EB-1 India is in an **advancing** pattern with consistent forward movement.
  • EB-2 China shows **volatile** behavior with unpredictable swings.
  • EB-2 India shows **volatile** behavior with unpredictable swings.
  • EB-2 ROW is in an **advancing** pattern with consistent forward movement.
  • EB-3 China shows **volatile** behavior with unpredictable swings.
  • EB-3 India shows **volatile** behavior with unpredictable swings.
  • EB-3 ROW is in an **advancing** pattern with consistent forward movement.

Analysis generated from the Bulletin Forecast Model using historical bulletin data, I-140 demand signals, and fiscal year patterns. Model confidence varies by series. Expand "Model Breakdown" on any prediction to see individual expert signals.