The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for October 2026. October is particularly important as it marks the beginning of the 2027 fiscal year (FY-2027).
With the start of the new fiscal year, annual immigrant visa quotas have reopened. As a result, while some categories have progressed, certain employment-based categories in the “All Chargeability Areas” group have moved backward.
Changes in the EB-2, EB-3, and Other Workers categories are especially noteworthy. The U.S. Department of State notes that these retrogression adjustments were made to keep quarterly and annual visa limits under control for FY-2027.
First, Two Core Concepts
The Visa Bulletin contains two different date tables:
Dates for Filing: Indicates the date when you can prepare your documents and initiate the process. The National Visa Center (NVC) uses this table for consular processing. For individuals filing Form I-485 within the United States, USCIS’s monthly chart permission must also be checked.
Final Action Dates: Shows the dates used for the actual approval of a Green Card or immigrant visa.
In short, Dates for Filing allows the file to progress at an earlier stage, while Final Action Dates indicates when the visa number actually becomes available for use.
What is a Priority Date?
When evaluating the dates in the bulletin, you need to know your own Priority Date. This date represents the official filing date of your petition or application based on your immigration category, and it determines your place in the visa queue.
The rule is simple:
If your Priority Date is earlier than the date listed in the table, your turn in your category may have arrived.
C (Current): The category is current. There is no wait time due to a Priority Date.
U (Unavailable): No visa numbers are available for this category that month.
Having a Priority Date identical to the date listed in the table is not sufficient; your date must be earlier than the date specified.
Which Column Should You Look At?
The tables feature five main country groups: All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed, China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines.
China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines are shown in separate columns. Most other countries use the “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed”—or simply “All Chargeability Areas”—column.
Generally, your country of birth—not your nationality—determines which country column applies to you.
The October tables were prepared taking into account demands reported up to September 4, 2026.
Family-Sponsored Categories
Family-sponsored categories are divided as follows:
F1: Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens
F2A: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of Green Card holders
F2B: Unmarried children 21 and older of Green Card holders
F3: Married children of U.S. citizens
F4: Siblings of U.S. citizens
Final Action Dates
Family-Sponsored Categories – Final Action Dates (October 2026)
| Category | All Chargeability Areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 22 Jan 2020 | 22 Jan 2020 | 22 Jan 2020 | 8 Sep 2008 | 1 Nov 2013 |
| F2A | 22 Sep 2026 | 22 Sep 2026 | 22 Sep 2026 | 22 Mar 2026 | 22 Sep 2026 |
| F2B | 22 Aug 2019 | 22 Aug 2019 | 22 Aug 2019 | 15 May 2010 | 1 Oct 2013 |
| F3 | 22 Oct 2014 | 22 Oct 2014 | 22 Oct 2014 | 1 Jul 2001 | 22 Jul 2006 |
| F4 | 22 Oct 2011 | 22 Oct 2011 | 15 Dec 2006 | 22 Apr 2001 | 15 May 2008 |
Visa numbers are available only for applicants whose Priority Date is earlier than the date specified in the table. Applicants generally look at the “All Chargeability Areas” column unless they were born in chargeability areas listed separately.
F2A Advanced by Another Month
For most countries in the “All Chargeability Areas” group, there are no major changes in family-sponsored categories from September to October.
The most notable movement is in the F2A category.
The Final Action Date, which was August 22, 2026, in September, advanced to September 22, 2026, in October. Spouses and children under 21 of Green Card holders are evaluated in this category.
The “All Chargeability Areas” dates for the F1, F2B, F3, and F4 categories remained unchanged compared to September.
On the other hand, more noticeable progress occurred in certain family categories for Mexico and the Philippines.
Dates for Filing
Family-Sponsored Categories – Dates for Filing (October 2026)
| Category | All Chargeability Areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 1 Feb 2020 | 1 Feb 2020 | 1 Feb 2020 | 1 Dec 2008 | 22 Apr 2015 |
| F2A | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 1 Sep 2019 | 1 Sep 2019 | 1 Sep 2019 | 22 Mar 2011 | 1 Oct 2014 |
| F3 | 1 Nov 2014 | 1 Nov 2014 | 1 Nov 2014 | 1 Dec 2002 | 22 Oct 2006 |
| F4 | 1 Nov 2011 | 1 Nov 2011 | 1 Feb 2007 | 30 Apr 2001 | 22 Mar 2009 |
For the “All Chargeability Areas” group, family-based Dates for Filing remained unchanged compared to September.
The F2A category is still “Current” here, meaning there is no cut-off date in this table regarding Priority Dates.
Employment-Based Categories
Employment-based Green Card categories are structured as follows:
EB-1: Individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and certain multinational executives and managers
EB-2: Professionals holding advanced degrees or individuals with exceptional ability. NIW applications also fall under this category.
EB-3: Professionals and skilled workers
Other Workers: Other workers under the EB-3 scope
EB-4: Certain special immigrants
EB-5: Investors
Final Action Dates
Employment-Based Categories – Final Action Dates (October 2026)
| Category | All Chargeability Areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | 1 Jul 2023 | 1 Feb 2023 | C | C | C |
| EB-2 | 1 Nov 2013 | 1 Oct 2021 | 1 Jan 2025 | 1 Jan 2025 | 1 Jan 2025 |
| EB-3 | 1 Jan 2014 | 15 May 2024 | 8 Jan 2022 | 15 May 2024 | 15 Aug 2023 |
| Other Workers | 1 Jan 2014 | 1 Oct 2019 | 1 Jan 2022 | 1 Jan 2022 | 1 Jan 2022 |
| EB-4 | 15 Dec 2022 | 15 Dec 2022 | 15 Dec 2022 | 15 Dec 2022 | 15 Dec 2022 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 15 Dec 2022 | 15 Dec 2022 | 15 Dec 2022 | 15 Dec 2022 | 15 Dec 2022 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | 1 Dec 2023 | 1 Dec 2016 | C | C | C |
| EB-5 Rural | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 High Unemployment | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 Infrastructure | C | C | C | C | C |
In October, the most significant changes for “All Chargeability Areas” occurred in employment-based categories.
EB-1 Remains Current
For most countries, the EB-1 category remains Current.
Therefore, there is no Final Action Date waiting period tied to a Priority Date for EB-1.
While China’s date remains July 1, 2023, India advanced from October 15, 2022, to February 1, 2023.
EB-2 Retreated from Current
One of the most important changes in October occurred in the EB-2 category.
In September, EB-2 was Current for most countries in the “All Chargeability Areas” group. In October, the Final Action Date was set to January 1, 2025.
Consequently, the Priority Date matters once again for EB-2 and EB-2 NIW applicants.
For final action, the Priority Date must be earlier than January 1, 2025.
This change does not mean the category is closed; rather, it means a cut-off date is once again being applied to EB-2.
EB-3 Retreated by Approximately 3.5 Months
The EB-3 Final Action Date was September 1, 2024, in September.
In October, the date was pulled back to May 15, 2024.
This represents a retrogression of approximately 3 months and 17 days.
Individuals with a Priority Date between May 15, 2024, and September 1, 2024, who were current in September, no longer meet the Final Action Date requirement in October.
Other Workers Retreated by 3 Months
The Other Workers category also experienced retrogression.
The Final Action Date, which was April 1, 2022, in September, was moved back to January 1, 2022, in October.
A three-month backward movement occurred in this category.
EB-5 Remains Current for All Chargeability Areas
For most countries, both unreserved EB-5 and the reserved categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) remain Current.
For India, an important change occurred. The unreserved EB-5 category, which was “Unavailable” in September, reopened in October, with the Final Action Date set to December 1, 2023.
Dates for Filing
Employment-Based Categories – Dates for Filing (October 2026)
| Category | All Chargeability Areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 1 Jul 2024 | 1 Jul 2024 | C | C |
| EB-2 | 15 Mar 2026 | 1 Jan 2023 | 15 Jan 2015 | 15 Mar 2026 | 15 Mar 2026 |
| EB-3 | 1 Aug 2024 | 1 Apr 2024 | 15 Jan 2015 | 1 Aug 2024 | 1 Jan 2024 |
| Other Workers | 1 Jun 2022 | 1 Oct 2020 | 15 Jan 2015 | 1 Jun 2022 | 1 Jun 2022 |
| EB-4 | 1 Jan 2025 | 1 Jan 2025 | 1 Jan 2025 | 1 Jan 2025 | 1 Jan 2025 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 1 Jan 2025 | 1 Jan 2025 | 1 Jan 2025 | 1 Jan 2025 | 1 Jan 2025 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C | 1 Mar 2021 | 1 May 2024 | C | C |
| EB-5 Rural | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 High Unemployment | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 Infrastructure | C | C | C | C | C |
Important changes also exist on the Dates for Filing side for most countries.
EB-2 and EB-3 were Current in September. In October, they were set to:
EB-2: March 15, 2026
EB-3: August 1, 2024
Other Workers: June 1, 2022
In contrast, the EB-4 Dates for Filing advanced significantly by two years, moving from January 1, 2023, to January 1, 2025.
The EB-1 and EB-5 categories remain Current for most countries.
New Fiscal Year Began, But Not All Categories Advanced
With October 1, 2026, FY-2027 begins, and new annual immigrant visa numbers become available.
This situation is sometimes interpreted as “all categories progress when a new fiscal year starts.” The October 2026 bulletin shows that this is not always the case.
The U.S. Department of State states that while some categories advanced with the availability of new visa numbers, certain employment-based categories in the “Rest of World” group were pulled back.
According to the Department of State, this retrogression is necessary to ensure that visa processing throughout FY-2027 does not exceed quarterly and annual limits. Dates may change in upcoming months depending on demand.
Which Table Should You Use?
USCIS has confirmed that the “Dates for Filing” tables will be available for both family-based and employment-based Adjustment of Status applications in October 2026.
So, the table to be used for Form I-485 this month is: Dates for Filing
FY-2027 in Numbers
The key numerical limits specified in the bulletin for the 2027 fiscal year are:
Family-sponsored worldwide minimum limit: 226,000
Employment-based worldwide limit: At least 140,000
Per-country limit (7%): 25,620
Dependent areas limit (2%): 7,320
Because demand exceeds country limits in China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines, these countries are evaluated separately in the tables.
Key Highlights for October 2026
The most important points in the October bulletin for the “All Chargeability Areas” group are:
F2A Final Action Date: August 22, 2026 → September 22, 2026
EB-1 Final Action Date: Remained Current
EB-2 Final Action Date: Current → January 1, 2025
EB-3 Final Action Date: September 1, 2024 → May 15, 2024
Other Workers Final Action Date: April 1, 2022 → January 1, 2022
EB-5: Remained Current
EB-2 Dates for Filing: Current → March 15, 2026
EB-3 Dates for Filing: Current → August 1, 2024
EB-4 Dates for Filing: January 1, 2023 → January 1, 2025
It is especially important for EB-2 and EB-3 applicants to re-evaluate their Priority Dates against these new dates.
Conclusion
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin shows that despite the start of the new fiscal year, not all categories moved forward.
While EB-1 and EB-5 maintained their advantageous positions for the “All Chargeability Areas” group, backward movement occurred in the EB-2, EB-3, and Other Workers categories. In family-based categories, the picture remained largely stable, with F2A advancing by one month.
The Visa Bulletin can change every month. It is important to regularly track the current status of your Priority Date and check which table USCIS deems valid, especially before filing Form I-485.
How Can MC Law Firm Help You?
You can reach out to our experienced team to learn how the updates in the October 2026 Visa Bulletin affect your application process and clarify your Priority Date status. This way, you can take your next steps with confidence.
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