US Immigration Updates | October 2026
Latest US Visa Bulletin October 2026: Green Card Priority Dates and Predictions
The October 2026 US Visa Bulletin marks the beginning of fiscal year 2027 and provides updated cutoff dates for family-sponsored and employment-based green card applicants. This guide explains the latest priority dates, key changes for applicants from India, China and other countries, and what applicants should watch for in upcoming Visa Bulletins.
October 2026 Visa Bulletin: Quick Facts
- Current bulletin: October 2026.
- Fiscal year: FY 2027 began on October 1, 2026.
- India EB-1 Final Action Date: February 1, 2023.
- India EB-2 Final Action Date: November 1, 2013.
- India EB-3 Final Action Date: January 1, 2014.
- India EB-5 unreserved Final Action Date: December 1, 2023.
- Official source: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin.
These dates apply to the October 2026 bulletin. Always check the official bulletin and USCIS filing-chart guidance before taking action.
What Is the US Visa Bulletin?
The US Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication from the Department of State that shows when immigrant visa numbers are available for certain family-sponsored and employment-based green card categories. It is especially important for applicants whose cases are subject to annual numerical limits.
Each applicant generally has a priority date, which is used to determine their place in the visa queue. When the priority date is earlier than the applicable cutoff date, the applicant may be eligible for the next step, depending on the category, the applicable chart and other requirements.
Visa availability does not guarantee green card approval. Applicants must still satisfy all applicable immigration requirements.
Final Action Dates vs. Dates for Filing
| Chart | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Final Action Dates | Shows when an immigrant visa may be issued or a qualifying adjustment-of-status case may be approved, subject to eligibility and visa availability. |
| Dates for Filing | Shows when eligible applicants may be able to begin submitting documentation or file an adjustment-of-status application, depending on the applicable process and USCIS instructions. |
Applicants applying for adjustment of status inside the United States must check USCIS guidance to determine which chart applies for the month. Applicants processing through a US embassy or consulate should follow the Department of State and National Visa Center instructions relevant to their cases.
October 2026 Employment-Based Green Card Priority Dates
The following table summarizes selected employment-based Final Action Dates in the October 2026 Visa Bulletin. Dates are shown for India, mainland China and the general all-chargeability category where applicable.
| Category | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | China (Mainland-Born) | India |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | July 1, 2023 | February 1, 2023 |
| EB-2 | January 1, 2025 | October 1, 2021 | November 1, 2013 |
| EB-3 | May 15, 2024 | January 8, 2022 | January 1, 2014 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | January 1, 2022 | October 1, 2019 | January 1, 2014 |
| EB-4 | December 15, 2022 | December 15, 2022 | December 15, 2022 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Current | December 1, 2016 | December 1, 2023 |
“Current” means the category has no cutoff date for the relevant chargeability area in that chart. It does not remove other eligibility requirements or guarantee approval.
October 2026 Visa Bulletin: What Changed for India?
EB-1 India
The EB-1 India Final Action Date is February 1, 2023. Applicants should compare their priority dates with the published cutoff and continue monitoring future bulletins because movement depends on demand and available visa numbers.
EB-2 India
The EB-2 India Final Action Date is November 1, 2013. This remains a significant wait for many applicants. The start of a new fiscal year can change visa-number availability, but it does not mean that every category will advance quickly.
EB-3 India
The EB-3 India Final Action Date is January 1, 2014. Applicants should not assume that EB-3 will necessarily move faster than EB-2 in future months. The outcome depends on category-specific demand, visa limits and government allocation decisions.
EB-5 India
The EB-5 unreserved Final Action Date is December 1, 2023. The rural, high-unemployment and infrastructure set-aside categories are listed as current in the October 2026 bulletin. Applicants should confirm the exact classification of their petition and applicable requirements before relying on these dates.
October 2026 Family-Sponsored Visa Bulletin Highlights
Family-sponsored preference categories cover eligible relatives of US citizens and lawful permanent residents. Waiting times differ by category and country of chargeability.
| Category | Relationship | India Final Action Date |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | Unmarried adult sons and daughters of US citizens | January 22, 2020 |
| F2A | Spouses and children under 21 of permanent residents | September 22, 2026 |
| F2B | Unmarried adult sons and daughters of permanent residents | August 22, 2019 |
| F3 | Married sons and daughters of US citizens | October 22, 2014 |
| F4 | Brothers and sisters of adult US citizens | December 15, 2006 |
The F2A Dates for Filing chart is listed as current for the countries shown in the bulletin. Applicants must still follow the applicable filing instructions and verify which chart can be used for their case.
US Visa Bulletin Predictions for the Coming Months
Predictions are estimates, not official cutoff dates. The Department of State can advance, hold or retrogress a category depending on visa demand, available numbers, processing activity and statutory limits. The October 2026 bulletin specifically notes that some employment-based categories for countries outside India and China have retrogressed to keep visa issuances within fiscal-year limits.
EB-1 India Prediction
Future movement is uncertain. Applicants should monitor monthly changes rather than rely on a fixed forecast. A high level of demand can limit progress even when a new fiscal year begins.
EB-2 India Prediction
Applicants should plan for a potentially long wait and avoid assuming that the cutoff will reach a particular priority-date year by a specific month. Movement may be gradual, remain unchanged or be adjusted as demand becomes clearer.
EB-3 India Prediction
EB-3 movement will depend on category demand and annual visa limits. Applicants comparing EB-2 and EB-3 should review their individual circumstances with a qualified immigration professional before making a category strategy decision.
Family-Based Categories Prediction
Family preference categories may advance at different rates. The F2A category can be affected by visa-number allocation and demand, so applicants should verify the current Final Action Date and Dates for Filing every month.
Important: These are qualitative observations based on the current bulletin, not predictions of exact future dates. No official November 2026 cutoff dates should be assumed until the next bulletin is published.
How to Check Your Green Card Priority Date
- Find the priority date on your relevant immigration petition or case documentation.
- Identify your preference category, such as EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, F1, F2A or F4.
- Use the country of chargeability applicable to your case. This is generally based on place of birth, subject to specific exceptions.
- Open the latest official Visa Bulletin and locate the correct Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing chart.
- Compare your priority date with the relevant cutoff. In general, the priority date must be earlier than the listed date for the category to be current for that step.
- If you are applying for adjustment of status inside the United States, check USCIS guidance to confirm which chart applies that month.
Official US Visa Bulletin Resources
- US Department of State: Current Visa Bulletin — Check the latest monthly cutoff dates and archived bulletins.
- Official October 2026 Visa Bulletin — Review the published family-sponsored and employment-based tables.
- USCIS Visa Bulletin Information — Check the filing chart guidance for adjustment-of-status applications.
- National Visa Center — Find official information for immigrant visa processing through a US consulate or embassy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the latest US Visa Bulletin for October 2026?
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin is the current bulletin for the start of fiscal year 2027. It includes updated family-sponsored and employment-based cutoff dates published by the US Department of State.
2. What is the EB-2 India priority date in October 2026?
The EB-2 India Final Action Date is November 1, 2013. The Dates for Filing chart lists January 15, 2015. Applicants should verify the chart that applies to their case before filing or making plans.
3. What is the EB-3 India priority date in October 2026?
The EB-3 India Final Action Date is January 1, 2014. The Dates for Filing chart lists January 15, 2015.
4. Will EB-2 India move forward in the next Visa Bulletin?
No exact movement can be guaranteed. Future dates depend on visa availability, demand, annual limits and decisions made by the Department of State. Applicants should wait for the official monthly bulletin rather than rely on unofficial predictions as confirmed dates.
5. Does a current priority date mean a green card is guaranteed?
No. A current date indicates visa-number availability under the relevant chart, but the applicant must still meet all eligibility, documentation, admissibility and procedural requirements.
6. Where can I check the next Visa Bulletin?
Visit the official US Department of State Visa Bulletin page. The next bulletin is not official until the Department of State publishes it.
Conclusion
The October 2026 US Visa Bulletin provides the starting point for tracking green card priority dates in fiscal year 2027. For India, the key employment-based Final Action Dates are February 1, 2023 for EB-1, November 1, 2013 for EB-2, and January 1, 2014 for EB-3. Family-sponsored categories follow separate cutoff dates.
Check the official Visa Bulletin every month, confirm the correct chart for your application, and treat all future-date forecasts as estimates rather than guarantees.
