February 2026 Visa Bulletin Update: EB-3 Nurse Visa Movement

The February 2026 Visa Bulletin has been released, bringing positive movement for many internationally trained nurses waiting in the EB-3 employment-based category. While immigration timelines still require patience, this month’s bulletin reflects continued forward progress and reinforces the importance of staying prepared.

Watch the Full Visa Bulletin Recap

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Elizabeth McCullough, Associate Director of Immigration & Licensing, breaks down February’s changes and explains what they mean for nurses navigating the U.S. immigration process.

What Changed in the February 2026 Visa Bulletin

The February bulletin shows forward movement in several key EB-3 categories:

• EB-3 Philippines: Advanced to June 1, 2023

• EB-3 Mexico: Advanced to June 1, 2023

• EB-3 Rest of World (All Chargeability): Advanced to June 1, 2023

• EB-3 India: No change (remains November 15, 2013)

• EB-3 China: No change (remains May 1, 2021)

This advancement by approximately one month and two weeks for eligible categories signals that the U.S. Department of State continues to process employment-based immigrant visas.

As Elizabeth shared, even incremental movement is meaningful and confirms that cases are still moving through the system.

Why February’s Movement Matters

Your priority date, which is assigned when your I-140 immigrant petition is filed, determines your place in line for a U.S. immigrant visa. Each monthly Visa Bulletin shows how close that line is to reaching your date.

When your priority date becomes current, you can move forward with:

• U.S. embassy interview scheduling

• Final visa processing steps

• Preparing for arrival and job placement in the United States

Even small advancements help shorten the wait and provide clearer expectations for what comes next.

What This Means for Nurses Waiting in the EB-3 Category

Elizabeth highlighted several important reminders for nurses monitoring their immigration journey:

• Your priority date is secure once your I-140 is filed

• Periods of slower movement or retrogression do not cancel or reset your case

• Embassy interviews and visa issuance continue, though timelines can vary

• February’s movement aligns with expected early-2026 processing trends

Staying informed and staying prepared puts you in the strongest position when your date becomes current.

What to Expect During Retrogression

If your priority date isn’t current, it doesn’t mean your case is on hold forever. Retrogression is a temporary pause and your progress resumes automatically when your date becomes current again. There’s no need to restart the process.

Use this time to stay organized and informed. Make sure your documents are up to date, keep in touch with your advisor, and prepare for what comes next. For a full walkthrough of the visa timeline and how retrogression fits into it, visit our Immigration Resources for expert guidance and clear next steps.

Apply now to start your U.S. nursing journey with Health Carousel International and receive full-circle support at every stage.