The October 2026 Visa Bulletin posts new visa numbers for fiscal year 2027, producing major gains for some applicants—especially employment-based applicants from India. India's EB-2 and unreserved EB-5 reopened (EB-2 final action date: Nov 1, 2013; EB-5 final action date: Dec 1, 2023) and EB-1 India advanced to Feb 1, 2023. China saw filing-date advances in EB-3 and unreserved EB-5, while several EB-2 and EB-3 filing dates for other countries retrogressed. Applicants should verify their priority date against the cutoff and check the USCIS-authorized October chart before filing.
October 2026 Visa Bulletin: Major Gains for Indian Employment-Based Applicants, Mixed Moves for Others
Letter from USCIS covered in flags of the USA – stock photo
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin posts new visa allocations for fiscal year 2027, producing significant movement across multiple employment- and family-based categories. The biggest beneficiaries this month are employment-based applicants from India, while several filing dates for other countries retrogressed as the State Department balances visa usage against annual limits.
Employment-Based Highlights
India: India's EB-2 category, which was unavailable in September, has reopened. The October final action date for EB-2 (India) is November 1, 2013, meaning applicants with priority dates earlier than that date may again be eligible for final approval. Unreserved EB-5 for India also reopened with a final action date of December 1, 2023. EB-1 for India advanced from October 15, 2022 to February 1, 2023.
China: China saw notable gains on the filing charts. EB-3 (China) advanced from January 8, 2022 to April 1, 2024. Unreserved EB-5 for China moved forward from March 1, 2017 to March 1, 2021.
Other Countries: Several employment-based filing dates moved backward. EB-2 final action filing dates for most countries — including Mexico and the Philippines — changed from Current to January 1, 2025. EB-3 final action filing dates for most countries and for Mexico retrogressed from September 1, 2024 to May 15, 2024.
Family-Sponsored Movement
Family categories showed mixed changes. The F2A final action date advanced for most countries from August 22, 2026 to September 22, 2026. Mexico’s F2A date moved from August 22, 2025 to March 22, 2026. Other notable advances include F2B (Mexico) to May 15, 2010 and F4 (Philippines) to May 15, 2008.
What Applicants Should Do
- Confirm your priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff to determine eligibility for final action.
- If you are filing from inside the United States, check which October chart USCIS has authorized (Final Action vs. Dates for Filing) before submitting forms such as I-485.
- Because some categories retrogressed, plan with your attorney or employer to avoid filing prematurely or missing new opportunities.
Note: This is a developing story. The State Department and USCIS may publish clarifications or additional guidance. Applicants should monitor official publications and consult qualified immigration counsel as needed.
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