The September 2026 Visa Bulletin closes out Fiscal Year 2026 with significant forward movement in several family-sponsored categories, while the major employment-based categories remain largely unchanged from August. For applicants chargeable to India, EB-2 and EB-5 Unreserved remain unavailable, EB-1 remains at October 15, 2022, and DOS continues to warn that additional visa-number pressure could affect availability before September 30.
Employment-Based Preferences: Final Action Dates
EB-1: Priority Workers
India remains at October 15, 2022. DOS is warning that if India’s pro-rated EB-1 limit is reached before September 30, the category could be made unavailable. China remains at July 1, 2023. All other countries remain current.
EB-2: Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability
India remains unavailable for Final Action Dates through the end of FY 2026. DOS warns that demand in EB-2 broadly — including for China — could trigger retrogression or unavailability before the fiscal year ends. China remains at September 1, 2021. All other countries remain current.
EB-3: Skilled Workers & Professionals
India remains at January 1, 2014. China remains at January 1, 2022. All other countries remain at September 1, 2024.
EB-3 Other Workers
India remains at January 1, 2014. China is at May 1, 2019. All other countries remain at April 1, 2022.
EB-4: Certain Special Immigrants
All countries advance from October 15, 2022 to December 15, 2022. The Certain Religious Workers (SR) category is also at December 15, 2022.
EB-5: Unreserved
India remains unavailable for Final Action Dates. DOS warns the EB-5 unreserved category broadly could face retrogression or unavailability before September 30 if demand continues. China remains at December 1, 2016. All other countries remain current.
EB-5 Set-Asides (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure)
All chargeability areas remain current.
Family-Based Preferences: Final Action Dates
F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens)
India/China/Other Countries: January 22, 2020 | Mexico: January 1, 2008 | Philippines: May 1, 2013
F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents)
All Countries: August 22, 2026 | Mexico: August 22, 2025
F2B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents)
India/China/Other Countries: August 22, 2019 | Mexico: February 15, 2009 | Philippines: June 1, 2013
F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens)
All Countries: October 22, 2014 | Mexico: July 1, 2001 | Philippines: February 22, 2006
F4 (Siblings of U.S. Citizens)
India: November 1, 2006 | Mexico: April 8, 2001 | Philippines: August 22, 2007 | Others: October 22, 2011
Key Takeaways
EB-2 India and EB-5 Unreserved India remain unavailable on the Final Action Date chart through the end of FY 2026. However, their Dates for Filing remain open — EB-2 India at January 15, 2015 and EB-5 Unreserved India at May 1, 2024 — so applicants should check www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo to confirm whether USCIS has authorized use of those charts this month.
EB-1 India holds at October 15, 2022, but DOS is actively monitoring the category and has flagged it could become unavailable before September 30 if the pro-rated limit is reached.
Several family-based categories saw forward movement this month. F1, F2B, F3, and F4 advanced for most chargeability areas, though not every country benefited equally — F4 India, for example, remains at November 1, 2006.
DOS also notes that immigrant visa issuance rates have decreased in FY 2026 due to administration policy changes since January 2025, and that retrogression across additional categories remains possible in the coming weeks.
This is the last bulletin of FY 2026. October 2026 will open a new fiscal year with new annual limits, and categories like EB-2 India are expected to advance at that time.
FAQ: September 2026 Visa Bulletin
Q1: Why are EB-2 India and EB-5 India still unavailable?
A: Both categories exhausted India’s pro-rated annual allocation earlier in FY 2026. No additional immigrant visas can be issued under those Final Action Date categories until the new fiscal year begins October 1, 2026.
Q2: Can I still file for adjustment of status if EB-2 India is unavailable on the Final Action Date chart?
A: Possibly. The Dates for Filing chart still shows January 15, 2015 for EB-2 India. Whether USCIS will accept filings under that chart depends on guidance posted at www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo each month.
Q3: Is EB-1 India at risk of becoming unavailable before September 30?
A: Yes. DOS has specifically flagged this in the September bulletin and will continue monitoring. If India’s EB-1 pro-rated limit is reached before the fiscal year ends, the category could be made unavailable without additional notice.
Q4: What happens to EB-2 India in October 2026?
A: DOS indicated earlier this year that the category is expected to advance again at the start of FY 2027, though the exact date will depend on demand and the new annual allocation.
Q5: Are EB-5 Set-Aside categories still available?
A: Yes. The Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure EB-5 Set-Aside categories remain current for all chargeability areas.
Q6: What does “Final Action Date” vs. “Dates for Filing” mean?
A: The Final Action Date is when a visa can actually be issued or an adjustment of status approved. The Dates for Filing is an earlier date that — when authorized by USCIS — allows applicants to submit their paperwork ahead of the Final Action Date becoming current.
Visa Bulletin changes can significantly affect your green card filing strategy and timeline. If you have questions about how the September 2026 Visa Bulletin affects your case, contact NPZ Law Group at info@visaserve.com or call 201-670-0006, ext. 104. Visit www.visaserve.com to stay informed on the latest immigration updates.