Visa Bulletin October 2026: Dates, Changes and What They Mean

The October 2026 Visa Bulletin is the first bulletin of fiscal year 2027. The State Department published it on September 4, 2026, and its dates apply from October 1 through October 31, 2026. Most family-sponsored categories moved forward or held, India and China gained ground in several employment categories, and two employment categories for applicants from "all other countries" went backward: EB-2 is no longer current and EB-3 lost more than three months.

For people filing a green card application inside the United States, the most important line is on the USCIS side: for October 2026, USCIS says both family-sponsored and employment-based applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart. That chart is more generous than the Final Action chart in almost every category, so the window to submit Form I-485 is wider than the approval dates suggest.

Below are the full charts as published, every change from September 2026, a comparison with October 2025, and what the movement means for your case. All dates come from the bulletin itself and are the same figures our Visa Bulletin tracker shows for every category and country.

October 2026 Visa Bulletin at a glance

Question	Answer
Released	September 4, 2026
Valid	October 1 to October 31, 2026 (first month of FY 2027)
Chart USCIS accepts for I-485 filing	Dates for Filing, for both family and employment categories
EB-2, all other countries (Final Action)	Current in September, Jan 1, 2025 in October
EB-3, all other countries (Final Action)	Sep 1, 2024 to May 15, 2024
EB-2 India (Final Action)	Unavailable in September, Nov 1, 2013 in October
EB-1 India (Final Action)	Oct 15, 2022 to Feb 1, 2023
F2A, spouses and children of green card holders (Final Action)	Sep 22, 2026 for most countries; Mar 22, 2026 for Mexico
Next bulletin	November 2026, not published as of October 14, 2026

What changed in the October 2026 Visa Bulletin

The bulletin's own note explains the pattern. With fiscal year 2027 numbers available, "dates for filing and final action dates have advanced across various immigrant visa categories," but "some employment-based visa categories for 'Rest of World' countries have retrogressed," which the State Department says was necessary "to keep visa issuances within FY 2027 quarterly and annual limits." It adds that the situation is being monitored and dates may be adjusted.

Employment-based: the biggest moves

• EB-2, all other countries: Final Action went from Current to Jan 1, 2025. Mexico and the Philippines follow the same date. If your priority date is January 1, 2025 or later, your case cannot be approved in October even if it is otherwise ready.
• EB-3, all other countries: Final Action retrogressed from Sep 1, 2024 to May 15, 2024 (Mexico too). EB-3 Other Workers went from Apr 1, 2022 to Jan 1, 2022.
• EB-2 India: the category was Unavailable in September, as it often is at the end of a fiscal year. It reopened in October at Nov 1, 2013.
• EB-1 India: moved +109 days to Feb 1, 2023. EB-1 China held at Jul 1, 2023.
• EB-2 China advanced one month to Oct 1, 2021; EB-3 China moved a week to Jan 8, 2022.
• EB-5 Unreserved India reopened at Dec 1, 2023 after being Unavailable in September. The EB-5 set-aside categories (rural, high unemployment, infrastructure) remain Current for every country.

Family-sponsored: the biggest moves

• F2A (spouses and minor children of permanent residents) moved one month to Sep 22, 2026 for most countries, which is close to current, and Mexico F2A jumped +212 days to Mar 22, 2026. On the Dates for Filing chart F2A is Current.
• Mexico also gained in F1 (to Sep 8, 2008) and F2B (to May 15, 2010).
• Philippines advanced in F1, F2B, F3 and F4; F4 Philippines moved +267 days to May 15, 2008.
• India F4 moved to Dec 15, 2006. F1, F2B, F3 and F4 for all other countries did not change.

Every Final Action change from September 2026

This table lists only the Final Action dates that moved between the September 2026 and October 2026 bulletins, with October 2025 for a one-year comparison. Categories and countries not listed did not change.

Category	Country	September 2026	October 2026	Change	October 2025
EB-1	India	Oct 15, 2022	Feb 1, 2023	+109 days	Feb 15, 2022
EB-2	All other countries	Current	Jan 1, 2025	retrogressed from Current	Dec 1, 2023
EB-2	China	Sep 1, 2021	Oct 1, 2021	+30 days	Apr 1, 2021
EB-2	India	Unavailable	Nov 1, 2013	reopened	Apr 1, 2013
EB-2	Mexico	Current	Jan 1, 2025	retrogressed from Current	Dec 1, 2023
EB-2	Philippines	Current	Jan 1, 2025	retrogressed from Current	Dec 1, 2023
EB-3	All other countries	Sep 1, 2024	May 15, 2024	-109 days	Apr 1, 2023
EB-3	China	Jan 1, 2022	Jan 8, 2022	+7 days	Mar 1, 2021
EB-3	Mexico	Sep 1, 2024	May 15, 2024	-109 days	Apr 1, 2023
EB-3	Philippines	Aug 1, 2023	Aug 15, 2023	+14 days	Apr 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers	All other countries	Apr 1, 2022	Jan 1, 2022	-90 days	Jul 15, 2021
EB-3 Other Workers	China	May 1, 2019	Oct 1, 2019	+153 days	Dec 1, 2017
EB-3 Other Workers	Mexico	Apr 1, 2022	Jan 1, 2022	-90 days	Jul 15, 2021
EB-3 Other Workers	Philippines	Dec 1, 2021	Jan 1, 2022	+31 days	Jul 15, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved	India	Unavailable	Dec 1, 2023	reopened	Feb 1, 2021
F1	Mexico	Jan 1, 2008	Sep 8, 2008	+251 days	Nov 22, 2005
F1	Philippines	May 1, 2013	Nov 1, 2013	+184 days	Jan 22, 2013
F2A	All other countries	Aug 22, 2026	Sep 22, 2026	+31 days	Feb 1, 2024
F2A	China	Aug 22, 2026	Sep 22, 2026	+31 days	Feb 1, 2024
F2A	India	Aug 22, 2026	Sep 22, 2026	+31 days	Feb 1, 2024
F2A	Mexico	Aug 22, 2025	Mar 22, 2026	+212 days	Feb 1, 2023
F2A	Philippines	Aug 22, 2026	Sep 22, 2026	+31 days	Feb 1, 2024
F2B	Mexico	Feb 15, 2009	May 15, 2010	+454 days	Dec 15, 2007
F2B	Philippines	Jun 1, 2013	Oct 1, 2013	+122 days	Oct 1, 2012
F3	Philippines	Feb 22, 2006	Jul 22, 2006	+150 days	Sep 22, 2004
F4	India	Nov 1, 2006	Dec 15, 2006	+44 days	Nov 1, 2006
F4	Mexico	Apr 8, 2001	Apr 22, 2001	+14 days	Apr 8, 2001
F4	Philippines	Aug 22, 2007	May 15, 2008	+267 days	Mar 22, 2006

Employment-based Final Action Dates, October 2026

A case can be approved only if the priority date is earlier than the date shown for its category and country of chargeability. "Current" means every priority date qualifies; "Unavailable" means no visas can be issued in that category this month.

Category	All other countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1	Current	Jul 1, 2023	Feb 1, 2023	Current	Current
EB-2	Jan 1, 2025	Oct 1, 2021	Nov 1, 2013	Jan 1, 2025	Jan 1, 2025
EB-3	May 15, 2024	Jan 8, 2022	Jan 1, 2014	May 15, 2024	Aug 15, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers	Jan 1, 2022	Oct 1, 2019	Jan 1, 2014	Jan 1, 2022	Jan 1, 2022
EB-4	Dec 15, 2022	Dec 15, 2022	Dec 15, 2022	Dec 15, 2022	Dec 15, 2022
Certain Religious Workers	Dec 15, 2022	Dec 15, 2022	Dec 15, 2022	Dec 15, 2022	Dec 15, 2022
EB-5 Unreserved	Current	Dec 1, 2016	Dec 1, 2023	Current	Current
EB-5 Rural (20%)	Current	Current	Current	Current	Current
EB-5 High Unemployment (10%)	Current	Current	Current	Current	Current
EB-5 Infrastructure (2%)	Current	Current	Current	Current	Current

Employment-based Dates for Filing, October 2026

This is the chart USCIS says employment-based adjustment applicants must use in October 2026. If your priority date is earlier than the date below, you can file Form I-485 this month, even though approval waits until the Final Action date reaches you.

Category	All other countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1	Current	Jul 1, 2024	Jul 1, 2024	Current	Current
EB-2	Mar 15, 2026	Jan 1, 2023	Jan 15, 2015	Mar 15, 2026	Mar 15, 2026
EB-3	Aug 1, 2024	Apr 1, 2024	Jan 15, 2015	Aug 1, 2024	Jan 1, 2024
EB-3 Other Workers	Jun 1, 2022	Oct 1, 2020	Jan 15, 2015	Jun 1, 2022	Jun 1, 2022
EB-4	Jan 1, 2025	Jan 1, 2025	Jan 1, 2025	Jan 1, 2025	Jan 1, 2025
Certain Religious Workers	Jan 1, 2025	Jan 1, 2025	Jan 1, 2025	Jan 1, 2025	Jan 1, 2025
EB-5 Unreserved	Current	Mar 1, 2021	May 1, 2024	Current	Current
EB-5 Rural (20%)	Current	Current	Current	Current	Current
EB-5 High Unemployment (10%)	Current	Current	Current	Current	Current
EB-5 Infrastructure (2%)	Current	Current	Current	Current	Current

Two filing dates stand out. EB-2 for all other countries is Mar 15, 2026, so an EB-2 applicant with a priority date in 2025 or early 2026 can still file in October despite the Final Action retrogression. EB-3 China filing jumped from Jan 8, 2022 to Apr 1, 2024, and EB-4 filing moved two years to Jan 1, 2025 for every country.

Family-sponsored Final Action Dates, October 2026

Category	All other countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	Jan 22, 2020	Jan 22, 2020	Jan 22, 2020	Sep 8, 2008	Nov 1, 2013
F2A	Sep 22, 2026	Sep 22, 2026	Sep 22, 2026	Mar 22, 2026	Sep 22, 2026
F2B	Aug 22, 2019	Aug 22, 2019	Aug 22, 2019	May 15, 2010	Oct 1, 2013
F3	Oct 22, 2014	Oct 22, 2014	Oct 22, 2014	Jul 1, 2001	Jul 22, 2006
F4	Oct 22, 2011	Oct 22, 2011	Dec 15, 2006	Apr 22, 2001	May 15, 2008

Family-sponsored Dates for Filing, October 2026

USCIS also directs family-sponsored adjustment applicants to this chart for October 2026.

Category	All other countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	Feb 1, 2020	Feb 1, 2020	Feb 1, 2020	Dec 1, 2008	Apr 22, 2015
F2A	Current	Current	Current	Current	Current
F2B	Sep 1, 2019	Sep 1, 2019	Sep 1, 2019	Mar 22, 2011	Oct 1, 2014
F3	Nov 1, 2014	Nov 1, 2014	Nov 1, 2014	Dec 1, 2002	Oct 22, 2006
F4	Nov 1, 2011	Nov 1, 2011	Feb 1, 2007	Apr 30, 2001	Mar 22, 2009

The family categories are: F1, unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of U.S. citizens; F2A, spouses and children under 21 of permanent residents; F2B, unmarried sons and daughters 21 or older of permanent residents; F3, married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; F4, brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens. Spouses, parents and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives and do not wait for the bulletin at all; their timeline depends only on processing (see I-130 processing time).

Which chart USCIS accepts in October 2026

The State Department publishes two charts every month, but USCIS decides each month which one it accepts for adjustment of status inside the United States. Its page for October 2026 says family-sponsored applicants "must use the Dates for Filing chart," and for "all employment-based preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart." USCIS last updated that page on October 1, 2026.

Applicants processing abroad through the National Visa Center and a consulate follow the State Department's own instructions; the NVC uses the Dates for Filing chart to tell applicants when to start submitting documents, and the Final Action chart decides when an interview can be scheduled and a visa issued.

Where you apply	To submit your application	To be approved
Inside the U.S. (Form I-485 with USCIS)	Dates for Filing chart in October 2026 (USCIS announces the chart monthly)	Final Action chart
Abroad (NVC and a U.S. consulate)	Dates for Filing chart (NVC document stage)	Final Action chart (interview and visa)

What the EB-2 and EB-3 retrogression means for you

Retrogression means a cutoff date moves backward. It happens when demand in a category is higher than the number of visas the law allows for the year, and the State Department uses it to keep issuances within the annual and quarterly limits.

If you already filed Form I-485

• Your application stays pending. USCIS cannot approve it while your priority date is not earlier than the Final Action date, even if the interview is done.
• Work and travel documents you received or applied for on the basis of the pending I-485 are not affected by the retrogression itself.
• When the Final Action date moves past your priority date again, USCIS can approve the case without a new filing.

If you have not filed yet

• Check your priority date against the Dates for Filing chart, not the Final Action chart, because that is the chart USCIS accepts in October 2026.
• For EB-2 all other countries, the filing date is Mar 15, 2026; for EB-3 all other countries it is Aug 1, 2024.
• Your priority date is normally the date your PERM labor certification was filed, or the date USCIS received your I-140 if no labor certification was required. You can follow PERM timing in our PERM processing time tracker.

Employment-based applicants who qualify for EB-1 or a national interest waiver sometimes compare categories when EB-2 or EB-3 slows down; our guides on EB-1 requirements and the EB-2 NIW explain who qualifies.

India and China in the October 2026 bulletin

India and China are the two countries whose employment-based demand regularly exceeds the 7% per-country limit, which is why they have their own columns.

Category (Final Action)	India Sep 2026	India Oct 2026	China Sep 2026	China Oct 2026
EB-1	Oct 15, 2022	Feb 1, 2023	Jul 1, 2023	Jul 1, 2023
EB-2	Unavailable	Nov 1, 2013	Sep 1, 2021	Oct 1, 2021
EB-3	Jan 1, 2014	Jan 1, 2014	Jan 1, 2022	Jan 8, 2022
EB-3 Other Workers	Jan 1, 2014	Jan 1, 2014	May 1, 2019	Oct 1, 2019
EB-4	Dec 15, 2022	Dec 15, 2022	Dec 15, 2022	Dec 15, 2022
EB-5 Unreserved	Unavailable	Dec 1, 2023	Dec 1, 2016	Dec 1, 2016

For India, EB-2 and EB-3 now sit in late 2013 and early 2014, which means applicants in those categories are waiting on priority dates more than a decade old. Our country pages show the full history: EB-2 India, EB-2 China. For a projection of where dates may go next, see Visa Bulletin predictions, which is based on how each category has moved in past years.

October 2026 compared with October 2025

A year-over-year view shows the longer trend better than one month does. Selected Final Action dates:

Category	Country	October 2025	October 2026
EB-1	India	Feb 15, 2022	Feb 1, 2023
EB-1	China	Dec 22, 2022	Jul 1, 2023
EB-2	All other countries	Dec 1, 2023	Jan 1, 2025
EB-2	India	Apr 1, 2013	Nov 1, 2013
EB-2	China	Apr 1, 2021	Oct 1, 2021
EB-3	All other countries	Apr 1, 2023	May 15, 2024
EB-3	India	Aug 22, 2013	Jan 1, 2014
EB-4	All countries	Jul 1, 2020	Dec 15, 2022
F2A	All other countries	Feb 1, 2024	Sep 22, 2026
F2B	All other countries	Nov 22, 2016	Aug 22, 2019
F3	All other countries	Sep 8, 2011	Oct 22, 2014
F4	All other countries	Jan 8, 2008	Oct 22, 2011
F4	India	Nov 1, 2006	Dec 15, 2006
F2A	Mexico	Feb 1, 2023	Mar 22, 2026

Over twelve months, EB-2 for all other countries advanced from Dec 1, 2023 to Jan 1, 2025 even after this month's retrogression, F2A moved more than two and a half years, and the family F3 and F4 dates for most countries advanced by about three and nearly four years. EB-2 and EB-3 India moved about seven and four months respectively.

Other notes in the October 2026 bulletin

• Religious workers (SR): H.R. 6500, signed September 2, 2026, extends the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers category through December 11, 2026. The category uses the same dates as the other EB-4 categories, Dec 15, 2022 on the Final Action chart.
• U.S. government employee SIVs: the bulletin repeats that the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act may affect certain current and former U.S. government employees abroad applying under INA 101(a)(27)(D), and tells them to contact the consular section where they filed Form DS-1884.
• EB-5: all set-aside categories (rural, high unemployment, infrastructure) stay Current for every country.

How to check your priority date in two minutes

1. Find your priority date. It is on your I-130 or I-140 receipt or approval notice (Form I-797), or on your approved PERM labor certification.
2. Find your category and chargeability. Chargeability is usually your country of birth, not citizenship. If your country is not China, India, Mexico or the Philippines, use the "all other countries" column.
3. Pick the chart. To file inside the U.S. in October 2026, use Dates for Filing. To know when you can be approved, use Final Action.
4. Compare. If your priority date is earlier than the date shown, you qualify for that step this month. "Current" means everyone qualifies.
5. Track it. Our Visa Bulletin tracker shows every category and country with the full monthly history, and the estimate of total waiting time is in how long it takes to get a green card.

When will the November 2026 Visa Bulletin come out?

The State Department does not announce a fixed date. Bulletins usually appear in the first half of the month before they take effect; the October 2026 bulletin was released on September 4, the September bulletin on August 10 and the August bulletin on July 15. As of October 14, 2026, the November 2026 bulletin has not been posted. We update the tracker and publish a November article the day it appears. The October dates stay in force until October 31, 2026.