What changed in the October 2026 bulletin
Of the 50 employment-based cells, 26 match April 2026, the last time USCIS reproduced this chart; 16 advanced and 8 went backward. The biggest advances: EB-5 Unreserved China (+4.4 years to 01 Mar 2021), EB-3 China (+2.2 years to 01 Apr 2024), EB-4 for most countries (+2 years to 01 Jan 2025) and EB-4 China (+2 years to 01 Jan 2025). Retrogression: EB-2 for most countries (retrogressed from current), EB-2 Mexico (retrogressed from current), EB-2 Philippines (retrogressed from current) and EB-3 for most countries (retrogressed from current).[1]
Compared with last month, 6 of 25 family-sponsored cut-off dates moved forward, 0 moved back and 19 stayed put. The biggest advances: F3 Mexico (+17 months to 01 Dec 2002), F2B Philippines (+12 months to 01 Oct 2014), F4 Philippines (+12 months to 22 Mar 2009) and F2B Mexico (+10 months to 22 Mar 2011).
| Category | Country | Before | October | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-2 | Rest of world | C | 15 Mar 2026 | ▼ retrogressed from current |
| EB-2 | Mexico | C | 15 Mar 2026 | ▼ retrogressed from current |
| EB-2 | Philippines | C | 15 Mar 2026 | ▼ retrogressed from current |
| EB-3 | Rest of world | C | 01 Aug 2024 | ▼ retrogressed from current |
| EB-3 | Mexico | C | 01 Aug 2024 | ▼ retrogressed from current |
| EB-5 Unreserved | China | 01 Oct 2016 | 01 Mar 2021 | ▲ 4.4 years |
| EB-3 | China | 01 Jan 2022 | 01 Apr 2024 | ▲ 2.2 years |
| EB-4 | Rest of world | 01 Jan 2023 | 01 Jan 2025 | ▲ 2 years |
| EB-4 | China | 01 Jan 2023 | 01 Jan 2025 | ▲ 2 years |
| EB-4 | India | 01 Jan 2023 | 01 Jan 2025 | ▲ 2 years |
October 2026 employment-based dates
Arrows compare each date with April 2026, the most recent month in which USCIS also used the Dates for Filing chart. EB-2 India held at 15 Jan 2015. Category history: EB-2, EB-3, EB-2 India.
| Category | Rest of world | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C■ | 01 Jul 2024▲ advanced 7 months | 01 Jul 2024▲ advanced 7 months | C■ | C■ |
| EB-2 | 15 Mar 2026▼ retrogressed from current | 01 Jan 2023▲ advanced 12 months | 15 Jan 2015■ | 15 Mar 2026▼ retrogressed from current | 15 Mar 2026▼ retrogressed from current |
| EB-3 | 01 Aug 2024▼ retrogressed from current | 01 Apr 2024▲ advanced 2.2 years | 15 Jan 2015■ | 01 Aug 2024▼ retrogressed from current | 01 Jan 2024■ |
| EB-3 Other Workers | 01 Jun 2022▼ retrogressed 2 months | 01 Oct 2020▲ advanced 12 months | 15 Jan 2015■ | 01 Jun 2022▼ retrogressed 2 months | 01 Jun 2022▼ retrogressed 2 months |
| EB-4 | 01 Jan 2025▲ advanced 2 years | 01 Jan 2025▲ advanced 2 years | 01 Jan 2025▲ advanced 2 years | 01 Jan 2025▲ advanced 2 years | 01 Jan 2025▲ advanced 2 years |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01 Jan 2025▲ advanced 2 years | 01 Jan 2025▲ advanced 2 years | 01 Jan 2025▲ advanced 2 years | 01 Jan 2025▲ advanced 2 years | 01 Jan 2025▲ advanced 2 years |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C■ | 01 Mar 2021▲ advanced 4.4 years | 01 May 2024■ | C■ | C■ |
The three EB-5 set-aside rows (rural, high unemployment, infrastructure) were current for every country in October 2026.
October 2026 family-sponsored dates
Family dates are compared with September 2026. F2A for most countries was current, unchanged. 26 cells were current (C). History: F2A; backlog in years: wait-time table.
| Category | Rest of world | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01 Feb 2020■ | 01 Feb 2020■ | 01 Feb 2020■ | 01 Dec 2008■ | 22 Apr 2015■ |
| F2A | C■ | C■ | C■ | C■ | C■ |
| F2B | 01 Sep 2019■ | 01 Sep 2019■ | 01 Sep 2019■ | 22 Mar 2011▲ advanced 10 months | 01 Oct 2014▲ advanced 12 months |
| F3 | 01 Nov 2014■ | 01 Nov 2014■ | 01 Nov 2014■ | 01 Dec 2002▲ advanced 17 months | 22 Oct 2006▲ advanced 2 months |
| F4 | 01 Nov 2011■ | 01 Nov 2011■ | 01 Feb 2007▲ advanced 2 months | 30 Apr 2001■ | 22 Mar 2009▲ advanced 12 months |
Fiscal year 2027 context
October 2026 opens fiscal year 2027, so annual visa numbers reset this month. October bulletins often move dates forward or restore categories that were unavailable in September. No category was marked U in October 2026.
USCIS's choice of chart matters as much as the dates: in October 2026 it accepted Dates for Filing for employment-based I-485s.[4] The chart history page lists every month's choice since 2015.
- Previous month: visa bulletin September 2026
- Next month: visa bulletin November 2026
- Check your own date: priority date calculator
Frequently asked questions
Did EB-2 India move in the October 2026 visa bulletin?
No. EB-2 India stayed at 15 Jan 2015 on the Dates for Filing chart, the same as April 2026.
Which chart did USCIS accept for October 2026?
For employment-based adjustment of status, USCIS accepted Dates for Filing; for family-sponsored cases, Dates for Filing. Applicants whose category is current on the Final Action Dates chart may also file under it.
Was any category unavailable in October 2026?
No. No category or country was marked U in October 2026.
When was the October 2026 visa bulletin in effect?
From October 1 to October 31, 2026. The State Department publishes each bulletin in the middle of the previous month.
Sources
- When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: October 2026
- When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: April 2026
- When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: September 2026
- Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin
- The Visa Bulletin (monthly publication and archive)