On January 15, 2026, two major developments in North American immigration policy were announced, signaling a year of both opportunity and patience for would-be immigrants to the United States and Canada. The U.S. Department of State published its February 2026 Visa Bulletin, revealing a near-total freeze across employment-based green card categories, while Canada’s Express Entry system continued to highlight the occupations most in demand for permanent residence, according to CIC News. For many skilled workers and professionals, these updates mean recalibrating expectations and strategies as they navigate the ever-shifting landscape of North American immigration.
The U.S. Visa Bulletin, released monthly by the State Department in collaboration with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is a closely watched document for thousands of immigrants waiting for their green cards. It determines who can apply for permanent residence and when, based on their priority date and visa category. Usually, the Bulletin offers hope for incremental progress, but February 2026 brings a different story.
According to the State Department’s latest release, almost all employment-based categories will be frozen in February, with just one exception: the EB-3 Professionals category for applicants from countries other than China and India, which will advance by 40 days to a new cutoff of June 1, 2023. This modest movement stands out in an otherwise static field. For all other categories and nationalities, the news is less encouraging. The EB-1 category remains current for "All Other Countries"—meaning there’s no backlog—but EB-2 halts at April 1, 2024, and EB-3 Other Workers pauses at September 1, 2021. For applicants from China and India, all major employment-based categories are at a standstill: China’s EB-1 is frozen at February 1, 2023, EB-2 at September 1, 2021, EB-3 Professionals at May 1, 2021, and EB-3 Other Workers at December 8, 2018. India’s EB-1 is similarly stuck at February 1, 2023, EB-2 at July 15, 2013, and both EB-3 Professionals and Other Workers at November 15, 2013.
Yet, there is a small silver lining for some. USCIS announced it will continue to use the more generous “Dates for Filing” chart in February 2026, rather than the more restrictive “Final Action Dates.” This allows certain applicants to submit their I-485 adjustment of status applications several months earlier than they otherwise could, even if their green cards cannot be approved until their priority date becomes current. For Chinese nationals, this means an additional six months to file in EB-1, four months in EB-2, eight months in EB-3 Professionals, and nearly ten months in EB-3 Other Workers. Indian nationals gain eight months in EB-1, four and a half months in EB-2, and nine months in EB-3 Professionals and Other Workers. Applicants from all other countries may file their I-485s in advance by six and a half months in EB-2, four months in EB-3 Professionals, and three months in EB-3 Other Workers.
For those applying from outside the United States, the process remains more rigid. The National Visa Center must first notify applicants before they can file the DS-260 immigrant visa application, and their home embassy cannot issue a visa until their priority date is current under the Final Action Dates chart. As a result, for many skilled workers, the coming month will be a waiting game, with only a select few seeing any movement toward their American dream.
Meanwhile, north of the border, Canada’s immigration authorities are taking a more targeted approach to permanent residence selection. As detailed by CIC News, the Express Entry system continues to evolve, focusing on in-demand occupations in a bid to address labor shortages and demographic needs. Candidates must have at least six months of work experience in an eligible occupation within the past three years to qualify for category-based selection. The system is organized into several key categories: healthcare and social services, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), trades, agriculture and agri-food, education, and a newly introduced category for physicians with Canadian work experience.
Healthcare and social services occupations were a top priority in 2025, with seven draws held and Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores ranging from 462 to 510. The last draw in this category took place on December 11, 2025. STEM occupations, although critical, saw no draws in 2025, with the last selection occurring on April 11, 2024, and CRS cut-offs between 486 and 491. Trades, another area of acute need, had just one draw in 2025 on September 18, with a high CRS cut-off of 505. The agriculture and agri-food category narrowed its focus, holding its last draw on February 16, 2024, with CRS cut-offs from 354 to 437 and no draws in 2025.
Education occupations were added as a new category in 2025, reflecting Canada’s ongoing efforts to bolster its schools and childcare systems. Two draws were held, with CRS scores ranging from 462 to 479. The most recent and perhaps most significant change is the creation of a category specifically for physicians with Canadian work experience, requiring 12 months of full-time work within the past three years. According to CIC News, invitations under this new category are expected to begin in early 2026, a move that could help address Canada’s persistent doctor shortages.
How does one know if their job qualifies? Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system is the key. Applicants must match their actual job duties—not just their job title—to the main duties described in the NOC entry for their occupation. Every occupation also has a TEER level (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) that helps determine eligibility. As CIC News puts it, "your NOC should match what you actually did, not just what your job title was." When preparing proof of work experience, it’s important for applicants to ensure their listed responsibilities reflect those described in the chosen NOC’s main duties section.
Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) chooses which occupational categories to prioritize each year, based on labor market projections and demographic goals. IRCC consults with provinces, territories, and other stakeholders, and reports annually to Parliament on the categories chosen and the reasons behind those choices. In 2025, for instance, IRCC prioritized Francophone immigration, health, trades, and education. This targeted approach means that not all categories receive the same level of attention or number of invitations each year, and priorities can shift as the country’s needs evolve.
For skilled workers around the world, these developments underscore the importance of staying informed and flexible. Whether navigating the complex U.S. green card backlog or aligning one’s experience with Canada’s ever-changing Express Entry priorities, success depends on careful planning and timely action. As the new year unfolds, some will find doors opening a little wider, while others must wait for the next opportunity to step forward.
In a world where immigration policy is both a mirror and a lever for economic and social change, the stories told by visa bulletins and Express Entry draws are more than just numbers—they’re the hopes and ambitions of individuals and families, each waiting for their chance to build a new life.
