The October 2026 Visa Bulletin changes bring a significant new chapter for people waiting through the U.S. immigrant visa and green card process.
Released by the U.S. Department of State as the first Visa Bulletin of Fiscal Year 2027, the October bulletin establishes new visa availability levels and updated priority dates for family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant categories. The new fiscal year brings renewed visa numbers, allowing movement in several categories while some employment-based categories also face tighter dates.
For many applicants, October is an important month because the beginning of a new fiscal year can create new opportunities for visa numbers to become available.
The October 2026 bulletin contains several developments worth watching, particularly for applicants from India, China, the Philippines, Mexico and other chargeability areas.
The overall picture is one of movement, renewed availability and new filing opportunities, although applicants still need to pay close attention to the exact dates for their category and country.
October 2026 Visa Bulletin Changes at a Glance
The most important developments include:
- October begins Fiscal Year 2027 for the immigrant visa allocation system.
- USCIS is allowing employment-based adjustment applicants to use the Dates for Filing chart in October.
- Family-sponsored applicants also have filing opportunities based on the applicable Dates for Filing chart.
- EB-1 remains current for most countries, while India and China have specific cutoff dates.
- EB-2 and EB-3 show significant differences between countries.
- Some employment-based dates for countries outside the separately listed chargeability areas have retrogressed.
- EB-2 India becomes available again after being unavailable for final action during the closing months of FY 2026.
- EB-5 set-aside categories remain current across the listed chargeability areas.
- The Certain Religious Workers category has been extended through December 11, 2026.
These changes make October an important month for applicants who have been preparing documents and monitoring their priority dates.
A New Fiscal Year Brings Fresh Visa Numbers
One of the most important features of the October 2026 Visa Bulletin is the beginning of Fiscal Year 2027.
The U.S. immigration system operates with annual numerical limits for many immigrant visa categories. The Department of State explains that the worldwide annual employment-based preference level is at least 140,000, while family-sponsored preference categories have their own statutory limits.
The start of a new fiscal year resets the annual allocation framework.
This does not mean every applicant immediately becomes eligible for a visa or green card. Instead, the new fiscal year provides a fresh pool of visa numbers that can support movement in categories affected by annual limits.
For applicants who experienced slow movement or temporary unavailability during FY 2026, the October bulletin therefore represents an important transition.
USCIS Uses Dates for Filing in October
One of the most significant practical developments is the use of the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based adjustment of status cases in October.
This is important because the Dates for Filing chart can allow eligible applicants to submit their adjustment-of-status applications before their priority date reaches the Final Action Date.
The October bulletin specifically directs applicants to USCIS for confirmation of the chart applicable to adjustment of status. Current reporting on the October bulletin confirms that USCIS has selected the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based adjustment applications in October.
This creates an important filing window for qualifying applicants already inside the United States.
However, being eligible to file does not mean that the green card can immediately be approved.
The Dates for Filing chart generally concerns when an application can be submitted, while the Final Action Dates chart determines when an immigrant visa number may be available for final approval or issuance.
Understanding this difference is essential.
Family-Based Categories Receive Important October Dates
The family-sponsored section also contains updated dates for October.
For the F1 category, covering unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, the Final Action Date is January 22, 2020 for most listed chargeability areas, China and India. Mexico has a much earlier date of September 8, 2008, while the Philippines is at November 1, 2013.
The F2A category, covering spouses and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents, receives particularly notable treatment.
For October, the Final Action Date for most countries, China, India and the Philippines is September 22, 2026, while Mexico has a March 22, 2026 date for the listed category. The Dates for Filing chart shows F2A as current across the listed chargeability areas.
This can create meaningful filing opportunities for qualifying family-based applicants.
F2B, F3 and F4 Continue to Move Through Long Queues
The F2B category for unmarried sons and daughters age 21 or older of permanent residents has an October Final Action Date of August 22, 2019 for most countries, China and India. Mexico is at May 15, 2010, while the Philippines is at October 1, 2013.
The F3 category, covering married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, has a Final Action Date of October 22, 2014 for most countries, China and India. Mexico is at July 1, 2001, and the Philippines is at July 22, 2006.
The F4 category, covering brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens, has a Final Action Date of October 22, 2011 for most countries and China, while India is at December 15, 2006, Mexico is at April 22, 2001, and the Philippines is at May 15, 2008.
The Dates for Filing chart provides somewhat later dates in several categories, giving eligible applicants an earlier stage at which they may prepare or submit documentation.
EB-1 Remains Strong for Many Applicants
The employment-based first preference category, EB-1, remains current for most countries in the October Final Action Dates chart.
The listed Final Action Date is current for the All Chargeability Areas category, Mexico and the Philippines.
For China-mainland born applicants, the EB-1 Final Action Date is July 1, 2023.
For India, it is February 1, 2023.
The Dates for Filing chart provides further movement, with July 1, 2024 listed for China and India while EB-1 remains current for most other listed areas.
For applicants in countries where EB-1 is current, this can represent an especially valuable position because visa numbers are not restricted by a listed cutoff date in the same way as oversubscribed categories.
EB-2 Brings a Major Development for India
The EB-2 category is one of the most closely watched parts of the October 2026 bulletin.
For the Final Action Dates chart, EB-2 is January 1, 2025 for most countries, Mexico and the Philippines.
China-mainland born applicants have a Final Action Date of October 1, 2021.
India has a Final Action Date of November 1, 2013.
The October development is particularly significant because EB-2 India had become unavailable during the final months of FY 2026 after the annual visa allocation for the category was reached.
With the start of FY 2027, EB-2 India has a date again.
This represents renewed availability and provides a fresh pathway for eligible applicants whose priority dates fall within the applicable range.
The Dates for Filing chart places EB-2 at March 15, 2026 for most countries, China at January 1, 2023, and India at January 15, 2015.
EB-3 Shows Different Movement by Country
The EB-3 category also receives updated dates in October.
For most countries and Mexico, the Final Action Date is May 15, 2024.
China is at January 8, 2022.
India is at January 1, 2014.
The Philippines is at August 15, 2023.
The Dates for Filing chart moves the dates further forward in several areas:
- Most countries and Mexico: August 1, 2024
- China: April 1, 2024
- India: January 15, 2015
- Philippines: January 1, 2024
These dates can provide additional filing opportunities for eligible employment-based applicants.
EB-3 Other Workers Has Separate Dates
The Other Workers subcategory continues to have its own cutoff dates.
For Final Action Dates, the October bulletin lists:
- January 1, 2022 for most countries, Mexico and the Philippines
- October 1, 2019 for China
- January 1, 2014 for India
The Dates for Filing chart lists:
- June 1, 2022 for most countries, Mexico and the Philippines
- October 1, 2020 for China
- January 15, 2015 for India
Because Other Workers operates under a separate numerical allocation, applicants should carefully use the exact category rather than assuming that regular EB-3 dates automatically apply.
EB-4 and Religious Workers Receive Attention
The October bulletin lists December 15, 2022 as the Final Action Date for EB-4 across the listed chargeability areas.
The Dates for Filing chart is January 1, 2025 across the listed areas.
There is also an important legislative development for the Certain Religious Workers (SR) category.
The Department of State reports that H.R. 6500, signed on September 2, 2026, extended the SR category through December 11, 2026.
The SR category follows the same dates as the other EB-4 categories based on the applicant’s chargeability.
This extension prevents an immediate expiration of the category at the beginning of the new fiscal year and gives qualifying applicants additional time under the extended program.
EB-5 Set-Asides Remain Current
The EB-5 section contains encouraging availability for several applicants.
The October bulletin lists the Rural, High Unemployment and Infrastructure EB-5 set-aside categories as current across all listed chargeability areas for both Final Action and Dates for Filing purpose.
The unreserved EB-5 category is also current for most countries and Mexico and the Philippines, while China and India have specific cutoff dates.
For China, the unreserved EB-5 Final Action Date is December 1, 2016.
For India, it is December 1, 2023.
The Dates for Filing chart lists March 1, 2021 for China and May 1, 2024 for India.
The continued current status of the set-aside categories is an important feature of the October bulletin.
Some Retrogression Is Part of the October Picture
The October bulletin is not entirely about forward movement.
The Department of State notes that some employment-based categories for applicants from countries outside the separately listed chargeability areas have retrogressed.
The State Department explains that these adjustments are intended to keep visa issuances within the quarterly and annual limits for Fiscal Year 2027. The agency also states that the situation is being monitored and that further adjustments may be made if necessary.
This is an important reminder that Visa Bulletin dates are not permanent promises.
They can move forward, remain unchanged or move backward depending on demand and available visa numbers.
Priority Dates Remain Central to the Process
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin makes the concept of a priority date especially important.
A priority date generally establishes an applicant’s place in line for an immigrant visa category.
For categories with a listed cutoff date, the applicant generally needs a priority date earlier than the applicable date to qualify under the relevant chart.
A date shown as “C” means Current, indicating that immigrant visa numbers are available without a cutoff date for that category and chargeability area, subject to the normal eligibility requirements. A “U” means Unauthorized, indicating that numbers are not available.
Applicants should therefore compare their individual priority date with the exact row and country column applicable to their case.
Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates Have Different Roles
One of the most important lessons from the October 2026 Visa Bulletin is that the two charts should not be confused.
Dates for Filing
The Dates for Filing chart identifies when eligible applicants may be able to begin the final application stage, subject to the applicable agency rules.
For applicants pursuing immigrant visas through consular processing, it can indicate when documents may be assembled and submitted to the National Visa Center after the appropriate notification.
Final Action Dates
The Final Action Dates chart indicates when an immigrant visa number may be authorized for final issuance or final approval, depending on the applicant’s process.
This distinction can make a major difference.
An applicant may become eligible to file before becoming eligible for final approval.
October Creates a Valuable Preparation Window
The positive side of the October 2026 changes is the opportunity to prepare early.
Applicants who fall within the applicable Dates for Filing range may need to gather documents, verify forms and review their case strategy without unnecessary delay.
Typical preparation can include:
- Confirming the priority date
- Checking the correct preference category
- Verifying country of chargeability
- Reviewing required immigration forms
- Gathering civil documents
- Checking employment documentation where applicable
- Reviewing family relationship evidence
- Organizing translations where required
- Monitoring USCIS announcements
- Monitoring future Visa Bulletins
Preparation is especially valuable because Visa Bulletin movement can change quickly.
What Applicants Should Watch During FY 2027
The October bulletin begins a new fiscal year, but it is not the final word on the year ahead.
Applicants should continue monitoring:
- Monthly Visa Bulletin movement
- USCIS adjustment-of-status filing guidance
- Final Action Dates
- Dates for Filing
- Visa-number demand
- Category-specific changes
- Country-specific movement
- Possible retrogression
- Legislative extensions affecting special categories
The Department of State specifically notes that visa availability is monitored throughout the fiscal year and that adjustments can become necessary depending on demand.
The Positive Outlook Behind the October Changes
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin brings an important sense of renewed possibility.
The beginning of Fiscal Year 2027 means a new annual allocation framework is now in effect.
Applicants who faced visa-number exhaustion during the end of FY 2026 can see new availability in certain categories.
EB-2 India is again available under a defined Final Action Date.
Several employment-based categories provide Dates for Filing that are significantly ahead of their Final Action Dates.
EB-5 set-aside categories remain current.
F2A’s Dates for Filing chart is current across the listed chargeability areas.
These developments do not guarantee approval, but they create meaningful opportunities for people whose priority dates and individual circumstances fit the applicable requirements.
Final Thoughts
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin changes mark the beginning of a new fiscal year and bring a fresh set of opportunities for family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visa applicants.
The most important developments include the use of Dates for Filing for October adjustment-of-status cases, renewed EB-2 India availability, continued EB-1 availability for many countries, updated EB-3 dates and current EB-5 set-aside categories.
At the same time, applicants should remember that some dates have retrogressed and that Visa Bulletin movement can change as demand develops during the fiscal year.
For people who have spent years waiting for their opportunity to move forward, the beginning of FY 2027 represents another important milestone.
The strongest approach is careful preparation, accurate priority-date tracking and attention to official monthly updates.
Reference
Daily Talks Web: Daily Talks Web
Note: This article is general informational content, not individualized immigration or legal advice. Visa Bulletin dates can change, so applicants should verify the applicable month’s USCIS and Department of State guidance before filing.
