February 2026 Visa Bulletin: No Movement for EB-3 Other Workers

Key Takeaways

• EB-3 Other Workers category showed no movement in February 2026 Visa Bulletin
• Priority date cutoff remains unchanged from January 2026
• No movement doesn't mean your case is stuck—just that the line didn't move this month
• Earlier stages (PERM, I-140) continue processing normally regardless of bulletin movement
• Stay the course: EB-3 Other Workers has always been a long-term process

The U.S. State Department released the February 2026 Visa Bulletin yesterday, and for those in the EB-3 Other Workers category, the news is frustrating: no movement. The Final Action Date remains exactly where it was in January 2026.

Let's be real about this: it's disappointing. There's no spin that makes a month with zero progress feel good.

What Actually Happened

Category: EB-3 Other Workers (Unskilled Workers)

Change: None. The priority date cutoff did not advance.

Comparison: The date remains the same as January 2026.

For those waiting on their priority date to become current, this means another month of waiting without any forward movement in the queue.

Why This Happens

Visa bulletin movement—or lack thereof—comes down to simple supply and demand:

• Limited annual visa numbers: The EB-3 Other Workers category has a statutory cap of approximately 10,000 visas per year (plus any unused visas from other categories).
• Demand fluctuations: Some months, more applicants with earlier priority dates complete their cases and use up available numbers faster. Other months, fewer cases are ready for final processing.
• Per-country limits: No single country can receive more than 7% of annual employment-based visas, which creates additional bottlenecks for high-demand countries.

When demand catches up to or exceeds supply, dates stop moving. It's not personal. It's math.

What This Means for Your Case

Here's what you need to understand:

Your case is not dead. A month without movement doesn't mean your case is stuck, rejected, or forgotten. It means the line didn't move this month.

Your position didn't change. You're in the same place you were before the bulletin was released. Everyone else in line is also in the same place. Nobody jumped ahead of you.

The earlier stages continue. If you're still in labor certification, I-140, or any pre-final stage, those processes are unaffected by visa bulletin movement. Keep moving forward.

The Reality Check

If you're pursuing EB-3 Other Workers, you already knew this wasn't going to be quick. This category has historically had some of the longest wait times in employment-based immigration. The people who successfully complete this journey are the ones who set realistic expectations and stay the course through months like this.

One month of no movement is not unusual. It's happened before, and it will happen again. What matters is the overall trend over 6-12 months, not any single monthly bulletin.

What You Should Do

1. Keep your case moving. If there are documents to gather, forms to prepare, or steps to complete on your end, do them. Be ready when your date does become current.
2. Stay informed. The March 2026 bulletin will be released in mid-February. Movement could resume next month.
3. Don't panic. Emotional reactions to monthly bulletins lead to bad decisions. This is a long game.
4. Verify your priority date. Make sure you know your exact priority date so you can immediately recognize when it becomes current.

Looking Forward

Historical patterns show that periods of stagnation are often followed by periods of movement. The State Department adjusts cutoff dates based on real-time demand data, and as cases are approved and applicants become current, the numbers can start moving again.

We'll continue monitoring the visa bulletin each month and will update you as soon as the March 2026 bulletin is released. If you have questions about your specific case timeline, our team is here to help.

For the official February 2026 Visa Bulletin, visit the U.S. State Department website.