The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, outlining significant changes in immigrant visa availability for family- and employment-based categories. For October 2026, USCIS has confirmed that applicants seeking adjustment of status must use the Dates for Filing charts for both family-sponsored and employment-based cases.
The October bulletin presents a mixed picture. While several categories advance, others retrogress because of increased demand and efforts to keep visa issuances within the fiscal year’s limits.
October 2026 Visa Bulletin: What Applicants Should Know
The October bulletin reflects considerable movement across both family- and employment-based immigration categories. Some priority dates have advanced substantially, while others have moved backward or remained unchanged.
DOS explained that the availability of new FY 2027 immigrant visa numbers allowed several categories to advance. However, certain employment-based categories for applicants from countries other than those subject to separate per-country limits have retrogressed to maintain compliance with quarterly and annual visa limits.
The changes also follow disruptions in immigrant visa processing during 2026. Earlier processing pauses reduced visa issuance for applicants from certain countries. Following court action and the resumption of processing, increased demand contributed to significant volatility in visa availability.
Family-Based Immigration Updates
Family-sponsored categories show several important advances in October.
The F1 category advances for Mexico and the Philippines. Mexico moves from January 1, 2008, to September 8, 2008, while the Philippines moves from May 1, 2013, to November 1, 2013.
The F2A category also advances. For Worldwide, China, India, and the Philippines, the Final Action Date moves from August 22, 2026, to September 22, 2026. Mexico experiences a much larger advancement, moving from August 22, 2025, to March 22, 2026.
Additional movement occurs in the F2B, F3, and F4 categories, particularly for Mexico, India, and the Philippines. Mexico’s F2B date advances by more than one year, while India’s F4 date moves from November 1, 2006, to December 15, 2006.
Family Dates for Filing
The Dates for Filing chart also provides opportunities for certain applicants to begin the adjustment-of-status process.
Notable changes include:
- F2B Mexico: May 15, 2010 → March 22, 2011
- F2B Philippines: October 1, 2013 → October 1, 2014
- F3 Mexico: July 15, 2001 → December 1, 2002
- F3 Philippines: August 8, 2006 → October 22, 2006
- F4 India: December 15, 2006 → February 1, 2007
- F4 Philippines: March 22, 2008 → March 22, 2009
Employment-Based Categories See Mixed Movement
Employment-based immigration presents a more complicated picture in October 2026. While several categories advance, significant retrogression affects EB-2, EB-3, and Other Workers.
The ability to use the Dates for Filing chart for adjustment-of-status applications is particularly important because applicants in several employment-based categories face retrogression on the Final Action chart.
EB-1
India’s EB-1 Final Action Date advances from October 15, 2022, to February 1, 2023.
On the Dates for Filing chart, EB-1 for China and India advances from December 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024.
EB-2
The EB-2 category shows both advancement and retrogression.
For the Final Action chart:
- Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines retrogress from current to January 1, 2025.
- China advances from September 1, 2021, to October 1, 2021.
- India advances from September 1, 2013, to November 1, 2013.
On the Dates for Filing chart, Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines retrogress to March 15, 2026, while China’s date advances by one full year to January 1, 2023.
EB-3 and Other Workers
EB-3 also experiences retrogression for Worldwide and Mexico, while China and the Philippines see modest advancement on the Final Action chart.
The Other Workers category similarly retrogresses for Worldwide and Mexico, while China and the Philippines experience advancement.
On the Dates for Filing chart, EB-3 Worldwide moves backward to August 1, 2024, while China’s date advances by more than two years to April 1, 2024.
EB-4 and EB-5 Updates
The EB-4 category sees substantial movement on the Dates for Filing chart. The category advances by two full years, from December 1, 2023, to December 1, 2025, across all countries.
For EB-5, India becomes available again with a Final Action Date of December 1, 2023. China also advances significantly on the Dates for Filing chart, moving from March 1, 2017, to March 1, 2021.
Immigrant Visa Processing Pause and Its Impact
Another important factor behind the October bulletin is the reversal of the immigrant visa processing pause affecting nationals of 75 countries.
On August 21, 2026, a federal judge struck down the pause. DOS subsequently announced that the pause was no longer in effect. Around the same period, DOS canceled immigrant visa interviews worldwide while providing additional training concerning the public charge rule.
According to the provided briefing, some consular posts have started rescheduling interviews, although additional cancellations have also occurred. Applicants should therefore continue monitoring official updates and relevant immigration practice alerts because processing remains fluid.
Religious Workers and Special Immigrant Visa Updates
The October bulletin also addresses the Certain Religious Workers (SR) category. H.R. 6500, signed on September 2, 2026, extends the SR category through December 11, 2026. The category follows the same Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates as other EB-4 cases.
The bulletin also includes guidance concerning certain current and former U.S. government employees abroad and qualifying surviving spouses and children seeking special immigrant visas or adjustment under INA §101(a)(27)(D). Potentially affected applicants should contact the appropriate consular section for case-specific guidance.
What the October 2026 Visa Bulletin Means for Applicants
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin demonstrates how quickly immigrant visa availability can change. Applicants should pay close attention to whether their priority date falls before the applicable Dates for Filing or Final Action Date.
For adjustment-of-status applicants, the ability to use the Dates for Filing charts in October may allow eligible applicants to submit applications even where visa numbers are not yet immediately available for final approval.
Because several employment-based categories have retrogressed, applicants and employers should review their priority dates carefully and consider the timing of any available filing opportunity.
Conclusion
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin brings significant movement across family- and employment-based immigration categories. While applicants in several categories benefit from advances, others face retrogression caused by increased demand and efforts to remain within FY 2027 visa allocation limits.
With USCIS allowing adjustment-of-status applicants to use the Dates for Filing charts in October, eligible applicants should review their priority dates promptly. Given the continuing changes in visa availability and consular processing, staying current with official DOS and USCIS updates remains essential.
Immigration Fleet Law Firm