The uscis visa bulletin october 2026 is being closely monitored by family-sponsored and employment-based green card applicants as the U.S. government enters fiscal year 2027. As of September 19, 2026, the October bulletin has not yet been officially released, making the September bulletin the latest available reference for applicants tracking priority dates and visa availability.
October Begins a New Fiscal Year
October 1 marks the beginning of the federal government’s 2027 fiscal year. For immigration applicants, this transition is significant because annual immigrant visa allocations begin a new cycle.
The start of a fiscal year can lead to changes in Visa Bulletin cut-off dates. Some categories may move forward as new visa numbers become available, while others can remain unchanged or experience retrogression depending on demand.
Applicants should not assume that every category will advance when the new fiscal year begins.
September Figures Provide the Current Reference Point
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin remains the latest official set of published cut-off dates as of September 19.
In the family-sponsored categories, the September Final Action Date for F2A applicants from most countries was August 22, 2026. Other categories remained substantially backlogged, including F3 and F4.
Country-specific differences continued to apply to applicants from Mexico, India, China and the Philippines.
Employment-based categories also showed significant differences depending on the applicant’s country of chargeability and preference category.
These September figures are useful for understanding the current situation but should not be interpreted as confirmed October dates.
India Employment-Based Applicants Are Watching Closely
Indian nationals with employment-based green card cases continue to pay particular attention to monthly Visa Bulletin changes because of longstanding demand and backlogs.
The September bulletin contained separate cut-off dates for Indian applicants in several employment-based categories.
For applicants in EB-2 and EB-3, the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing is especially important. Being eligible to file paperwork does not necessarily mean an immigrant visa number is immediately available for final green card approval.
The October bulletin will establish the applicable dates for the beginning of fiscal year 2027.
China Applicants Also Have Separate Dates
Applicants chargeable to mainland China face separate cut-off dates in several employment-based categories.
September figures included separate dates for EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 applicants from China. These dates differed from the dates applicable to applicants from most other countries.
The same principle applies to China as to India: applicants should examine both the applicable preference category and the relevant country column before determining whether their priority date qualifies.
Understanding the Two Visa Bulletin Charts
One of the most important details for applicants is the difference between the two primary Visa Bulletin charts.
The Final Action Dates chart determines when an immigrant visa number can generally be available for final action.
The Dates for Filing chart indicates when eligible applicants may be able to begin submitting required documentation. For adjustment-of-status applicants inside the United States, USCIS determines which chart may be used for filing during a particular month.
This means applicants should not rely on the Visa Bulletin alone when deciding whether to submit Form I-485.
The monthly USCIS filing instructions are also important.
Family-Sponsored Categories Remain Important
Family-sponsored applicants are also waiting for the October update.
The F2A category, covering spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents, was relatively advanced in September compared with several other family categories. However, different dates applied depending on the country of chargeability.
F1, F2B, F3 and F4 applicants continued to face longer waits in many cases.
The October bulletin could change these dates, but the actual movement will depend on visa demand and available numbers.
Visa Dates Can Move Backward
A common misconception is that Visa Bulletin dates only move forward.
In reality, dates can advance, remain unchanged or move backward.
Retrogression happens when demand exceeds the available supply of immigrant visa numbers. The government can move a cut-off date backward to keep visa issuances within statutory limits.
The September bulletin warned that additional demand could require retrogression in certain categories.
Applicants should therefore avoid treating any expected October movement as guaranteed until the official bulletin is released.
Why Priority Dates Matter
A priority date is one of the most important dates in an immigrant petition.
Applicants must compare their priority date with the applicable Visa Bulletin cut-off date. The result depends on the immigrant category and country of chargeability.
For some applicants, a small movement in the monthly cutoff could make a major difference. Others may remain subject to years of waiting even if a category advances slightly.
Keeping immigration documents organized can make it easier to respond when a case becomes eligible.
What Applicants Should Check in October
When the October 2026 bulletin becomes available, applicants should review several pieces of information.
First, confirm the correct immigrant category.
Next, identify the appropriate country of chargeability.
Then compare the priority date with the Final Action Date and Dates for Filing.
Applicants seeking adjustment of status should also check the USCIS monthly filing-chart announcement before submitting Form I-485.
Those processing immigrant visas through consular procedures should follow the requirements applicable to their individual cases.
Employment Categories Enter Fiscal Year 2027
The new fiscal year is particularly significant for employment-based immigration.
EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4 and EB-5 categories are subject to different numerical rules and demand levels.
Some categories may have greater availability at the beginning of the fiscal year, while others can continue to face backlogs because of country-specific demand.
The September bulletin’s warnings about potential retrogression demonstrate why applicants should focus on officially published dates rather than relying on informal estimates.
Diversity Visa Cases Follow Different Rules
Diversity Visa applicants should not confuse the DV program with the family- and employment-based preference categories.
The fiscal-year deadline for DV-2026 is September 30, 2026. Diversity Visas associated with fiscal year 2026 cannot be issued after that date.
The October 2026 bulletin therefore begins a new fiscal-year period for other immigrant categories while DV-2026 reaches its statutory deadline.
Other Immigration Changes Arrive in October
October 2026 also brings changes to certain visa-screening procedures.
Additional nonimmigrant visa classifications are scheduled to be subject to online presence review beginning October 1, 2026.
These measures concern visa screening rather than the monthly immigrant Visa Bulletin, but they form part of the broader immigration changes taking effect at the start of fiscal year 2027.
What to Expect From the October Bulletin
As of September 19, 2026, the October 2026 Visa Bulletin remains pending official publication.
The most important information will be the new Final Action Dates, Dates for Filing and any special announcements concerning visa availability.
Applicants should also watch for USCIS instructions concerning which chart can be used for adjustment-of-status applications.
The beginning of fiscal year 2027 could bring movement in several categories, but no particular advancement should be considered confirmed until the government publishes the October figures.
For applicants whose priority dates are close to the current cutoffs, the new bulletin could be particularly important. Others may need to continue waiting if their categories remain backlogged.
The safest approach is to rely on the officially published October dates once available and compare them carefully with the applicant’s individual category, country of chargeability and priority date.
Key Points Summary
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║ – The October 2026 Visa Bulletin has not yet been officially released as of September 19, 2026. ║
║ – October 1 begins fiscal year 2027, starting a new annual immigration visa allocation cycle. ║
║ – Family-sponsored and employment-based applicants should carefully compare their priority dates with the applicable cutoff dates. ║
║ – Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing serve different purposes, and USCIS filing instructions are important for adjustment-of-status applicants. ║
║ – Visa Bulletin dates can advance, remain unchanged or retrogress depending on visa demand and available numbers. ║
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