The October 2026 Visa Bulletin is out, and it opens fiscal year 2027. EB-2 India, Unavailable since July, reopens at a Final Action date of Nov 1, 2013, and EB-5 Unreserved India returns at Dec 1, 2023. The other side of the reset lands on rest-of-world workers: EB-2 for all chargeability areas, Mexico and the Philippines loses its Current status and retrogresses to Jan 1, 2025, and EB-3 rest of world falls 109 days to May 15, 2024.
This article reflects the official October 2026 Visa Bulletin (Number 19, Volume XI), published by the U.S. Department of State with a CA/VO date of September 4, 2026, covering demand received by September 4, 2026. Every Final Action Date and Filing Date here is confirmed against the bulletin itself. The comparison columns come from the September 2026 and August 2026 bulletins.
What the October 2026 Visa Bulletin Actually Did
October is Month 1 of FY-2027, and that single fact shapes the entire bulletin. The annual limits reset on October 1, so the State Department is allocating from a fresh pool of family and employment numbers rather than rationing what was left of FY-2026. State did three things with that pool. It reopened EB-2 India and EB-5 Unreserved India after three months Unavailable. It pulled rest-of-world EB-2, EB-3 and Other Workers back on both charts, which Section B says is needed to stay within FY-2027 “quarterly and annual limits.” And it left September’s family surge untouched for rest of world, China and India, while moving Mexico and the Philippines forward. None of September’s category warnings carry over.
Fifteen Employment Cells Retrogressed in October
On the Final Action chart, EB-2 for rest of world, Mexico and the Philippines moved from Current to Jan 1, 2025. EB-3 for rest of world and Mexico fell from Sep 1, 2024 to May 15, 2024 (109 days), and Other Workers for the same two fell from Apr 1, 2022 to Jan 1, 2022 (90 days). On the Filing chart, EB-2 rest of world, Mexico and the Philippines went from Current to Mar 15, 2026, EB-3 rest of world and Mexico from Current to Aug 1, 2024, and Other Workers for rest of world, Mexico and the Philippines from Aug 1, 2022 to Jun 1, 2022. No family cell moved backward.
Section B: Why Rest-of-World Dates Fell
The bulletin gives one reason for the pullback. Section B says: “With the availability of FY 2027 immigrant visa numbers, dates for filing and final action dates have advanced across various immigrant visa categories. However, some employment-based visa categories for ‘Rest of World’ countries have retrogressed, and these retrogressions are necessary to keep visa issuances within FY 2027 quarterly and annual limits. This situation is being continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.” None of September’s category-specific warnings (Sections E, F and G, on EB-1 India, EB-2 and EB-5 Unreserved) appear in October.
What Changed from September to October 2026
The September dates were set in the last month of FY-2026, when State was advancing categories to use up that year’s numbers before they expired. In employment, that meant EB-2 rest of world stayed Current all summer; in October it is dated for the first time in this cycle. The family side did not correct at all, and the biggest single moves are on the Filing chart, where China and EB-4 jump by one to four years. Of 150 cells, 43 moved forward, 15 moved backward and 92 held.
Key Movements at a Glance
- EB-2 Final Action, ROW/Mexico/Philippines: was Current, now Jan 1, 2025.
- EB-2 Filing, ROW/Mexico/Philippines: was Current, now Mar 15, 2026.
- EB-3 Filing, ROW/Mexico: was Current, now Aug 1, 2024.
- EB-3 Final Action, ROW/Mexico: Sep 1, 2024 to May 15, 2024, a retrogression of 109 days (about 3.6 months).
- Other Workers Final Action, ROW/Mexico: Apr 1, 2022 to Jan 1, 2022, a retrogression of 90 days (about 3.0 months).
- Other Workers Filing, ROW/Mexico/Philippines: Aug 1, 2022 to Jun 1, 2022, a retrogression of 61 days.
- EB-2 Final Action, India: was Unavailable, reopened at Nov 1, 2013.
- EB-5 Unreserved Final Action, India: was Unavailable, reopened at Dec 1, 2023.
- EB-5 Unreserved Filing, China: Mar 1, 2017 to Mar 1, 2021, an advance of 1461 days (about 48.0 months).
- EB-3 Filing, China: Jan 8, 2022 to Apr 1, 2024, an advance of 814 days (about 26.7 months).
- EB-4 Filing, all countries: Jan 1, 2023 to Jan 1, 2025, an advance of 731 days (about 24.0 months).
- Certain Religious Workers Filing, all countries: Jan 1, 2023 to Jan 1, 2025, an advance of 731 days (about 24.0 months).
- F3 Filing, Mexico: Jul 15, 2001 to Dec 1, 2002, an advance of 504 days (about 16.6 months).
- F2B Final Action, Mexico: Feb 15, 2009 to May 15, 2010, an advance of 454 days (about 14.9 months).
- Other Workers Filing, China: Oct 1, 2019 to Oct 1, 2020, an advance of 366 days (about 12.0 months).
- EB-2 Filing, China: Jan 1, 2022 to Jan 1, 2023, an advance of 365 days (about 12.0 months).
- F2B Filing, Philippines: Oct 1, 2013 to Oct 1, 2014, an advance of 365 days (about 12.0 months).
- F4 Filing, Philippines: Mar 22, 2008 to Mar 22, 2009, an advance of 365 days (about 12.0 months).
- F2B Filing, Mexico: May 15, 2010 to Mar 22, 2011, an advance of 311 days (about 10.2 months).
- F4 Final Action, Philippines: Aug 22, 2007 to May 15, 2008, an advance of 267 days (about 8.8 months).
- F1 Final Action, Mexico: Jan 1, 2008 to Sep 8, 2008, an advance of 251 days (about 8.2 months).
- EB-1 Filing, China/India: Dec 1, 2023 to Jul 1, 2024, an advance of 213 days (about 7.0 months).
- F2A Final Action, Mexico: Aug 22, 2025 to Mar 22, 2026, an advance of 212 days (about 7.0 months).
- F1 Final Action, Philippines: May 1, 2013 to Nov 1, 2013, an advance of 184 days (about 6.0 months).
- Other Workers Final Action, China: May 1, 2019 to Oct 1, 2019, an advance of 153 days (about 5.0 months).
- F3 Final Action, Philippines: Feb 22, 2006 to Jul 22, 2006, an advance of 150 days (about 4.9 months).
- F2B Final Action, Philippines: Jun 1, 2013 to Oct 1, 2013, an advance of 122 days (about 4.0 months).
- EB-1 Final Action, India: Oct 15, 2022 to Feb 1, 2023, an advance of 109 days (about 3.6 months).
- F3 Filing, Philippines: Aug 8, 2006 to Oct 22, 2006, an advance of 75 days.
- F4 Filing, India: Dec 15, 2006 to Feb 1, 2007, an advance of 48 days.
- F4 Final Action, India: Nov 1, 2006 to Dec 15, 2006, an advance of 44 days.
- Other Workers Final Action, Philippines: Dec 1, 2021 to Jan 1, 2022, an advance of 31 days.
- F2A Final Action, ROW/China/India/Philippines: Aug 22, 2026 to Sep 22, 2026, an advance of 31 days.
- EB-2 Final Action, China: Sep 1, 2021 to Oct 1, 2021, an advance of 30 days.
- EB-3 Final Action, Philippines: Aug 1, 2023 to Aug 15, 2023, an advance of 14 days.
- F4 Final Action, Mexico: Apr 8, 2001 to Apr 22, 2001, an advance of 14 days.
- EB-3 Final Action, China: Jan 1, 2022 to Jan 8, 2022, an advance of 7 days.
A New Fiscal Year: What Reset on October 1
Every October bulletin is different in kind from the eleven that follow it. Immigrant visa numbers are allocated by federal fiscal year, which runs from October 1 to September 30, so on October 1, 2026 the State Department stopped drawing from the FY-2026 limits and started drawing from FY-2027. Categories that had run out of numbers in the summer, and categories that had been pushed forward to use up leftover numbers in September, both start again from a new baseline.
What Starts Over in FY-2027
- Family-sponsored limit: 226,000, the statutory minimum printed in paragraph 2 of the bulletin, unchanged from FY-2026. Unused family numbers from FY-2026 do not carry into the family pool; they spill over to the employment side.
- Employment-based limit: paragraph 2 says the worldwide employment level is “at least 140,000.” That is the statutory floor, not a final figure. The real limit adds any family numbers left unused in FY-2026, which is why the FY-2026 employment limit ended at 186,317
- Per-country limit: 25,620, down from the FY-2026 figure of 28,862 because it is calculated on the floors above; the dependent area limit is 7,320, which is 7% of the combined family and employment limits. This is the cap that has kept India, China, Mexico and the Philippines on their own columns.
- Diversity visas: the DV-2026 program ended on September 30, 2026. The DV-2027 visa year opens on October 1, but registration for the DV-2027 lottery never opened, so there are no selectees and the October bulletin publishes no DV cut-offs.
- Estimates first, final figures later: in FY-2026 USCIS did not deliver the data needed to fix the annual limits until July 24, so the State Department allocated on “reasonable estimates” for most of the year under INA Section 203(g). The October bulletin prints only these statutory floors and no final determination for FY-2027, so treat 140,000 and 25,620 as placeholders until State publishes the final limits.
Why a Reset Does Not Mean Every Date Jumps Forward
Fresh numbers reopen closed categories, but the State Department also spreads a year’s supply across twelve months, and it has to absorb the demand that built up while dates were moving in the summer. That is why an October bulletin can reopen a category well behind where it closed, or pull a date back that had surged in September. October 2026 does both: India’s closed categories reopen and the family surge holds, but rest-of-world employment dates fall back to fit a quarterly ration.
Employment-Based October 2026: Final Action Dates
This is the chart that governs whether a visa number can actually be issued or a green card approved. Seven cells moved backward, all in rest-of-world, Mexico and Philippines employment rows, while India gained in all three of its moving categories. Rows highlighted in red are Unavailable or moved backward, and amber rows carry an active warning section.
| Category | Country | Aug 2026 | Sep 2026 | Oct 2026 (Official) | Move vs Sep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | ROW / MX / PH | Current | Current | Current | Hold |
| EB-1 | China | Jul 1, 2023 | Jul 1, 2023 | Jul 1, 2023 | Hold |
| EB-1 | India | Oct 15, 2022 | Oct 15, 2022 | Feb 1, 2023 | +109 days |
| EB-2 | ROW / MX / PH | Current | Current | Jan 1, 2025 | Retrogressed from Current |
| EB-2 | China | Sep 1, 2021 | Sep 1, 2021 | Oct 1, 2021 | +30 days |
| EB-2 | India | Unavailable | Unavailable | Nov 1, 2013 | Restored (Nov 1, 2013) |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | ROW / Mexico | Sep 1, 2024 | Sep 1, 2024 | May 15, 2024 | −109 days |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | China | Jan 1, 2022 | Jan 1, 2022 | Jan 8, 2022 | +7 days |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | India | Jan 1, 2014 | Jan 1, 2014 | Jan 1, 2014 | Hold |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | Philippines | Aug 1, 2023 | Aug 1, 2023 | Aug 15, 2023 | +14 days |
| Other Workers | ROW / Mexico | Apr 1, 2022 | Apr 1, 2022 | Jan 1, 2022 | −90 days |
| Other Workers | China | May 1, 2019 | May 1, 2019 | Oct 1, 2019 | +153 days |
| Other Workers | India | Jan 1, 2014 | Jan 1, 2014 | Jan 1, 2014 | Hold |
| Other Workers | Philippines | Dec 1, 2021 | Dec 1, 2021 | Jan 1, 2022 | +31 days |
| EB-4 / SR / Cert Rel | All Countries | Oct 15, 2022 | Dec 15, 2022 | Dec 15, 2022 | Hold |
| EB-5 Unreserved | ROW / MX / PH | Current | Current | Current | Hold |
| EB-5 Unreserved | China | Dec 1, 2016 | Dec 1, 2016 | Dec 1, 2016 | Hold |
| EB-5 Unreserved | India | Unavailable | Unavailable | Dec 1, 2023 | Restored (Dec 1, 2023) |
| EB-5 Set-Asides | All (Rural, HU, Infra) | Current | Current | Current | Hold |
What the Employment Final Action Chart Tells You
India is the good news. EB-2 India, Unavailable since the July bulletin, reopens at Nov 1, 2013. That is two months ahead of the Sep 1, 2013 date it held in June before closing, but still behind the Jul 15, 2014 date it carried in April and May. EB-5 Unreserved India comes back at Dec 1, 2023, about 19 months ahead of the May 1, 2022 date it held before it closed. Our EB-5 program guide explains how the unreserved and set-aside pools differ.
EB-1 India advances 109 days, from Oct 15, 2022 to Feb 1, 2023, still short of the Apr 1, 2023 date it held in May. EB-3 India holds at Jan 1, 2014, which leaves it 61 days ahead of EB-2 India on this chart. China moves in small steps: EB-2 China gains 30 days to Oct 1, 2021, EB-3 China 7 days to Jan 8, 2022 and Other Workers China 153 days to Oct 1, 2019, while EB-1 China and EB-5 Unreserved China hold.
The rest of the world goes the other way. EB-2 for all chargeability areas, Mexico and the Philippines was Current in July, August and September; in October it carries a Jan 1, 2025 Final Action date. EB-3 for rest of world and Mexico falls 109 days to May 15, 2024, and Other Workers for the same two falls 90 days to Jan 1, 2022. The Philippines is the exception: EB-3 Philippines rises 14 days to Aug 15, 2023, and Other Workers Philippines rises 31 days to Jan 1, 2022, the same date rest of world falls back to. EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers hold at Dec 15, 2022, and every EB-5 set-aside stays Current. If you are unsure which category you are in, our EB-1 vs EB-2 vs EB-3 guide walks through it.
Employment-Based October 2026: Dates for Filing
USCIS has designated the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based adjustment of status in October 2026, a switch from September, when employment filers had to use Final Action dates. That opens Form I-485 filing to India applicants with EB-2 or EB-3 priority dates before Jan 15, 2015, and to EB-1 China and India applicants before Jul 1, 2024, while rest-of-world EB-2 filers now need a date before Mar 15, 2026.
| Category | Country | Aug 2026 | Sep 2026 | Oct 2026 (Official) | Move vs Sep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | ROW / MX / PH | Current | Current | Current | Hold |
| EB-1 | China / India | Dec 1, 2023 | Dec 1, 2023 | Jul 1, 2024 | +213 days |
| EB-2 | ROW / MX / PH | Current | Current | Mar 15, 2026 | Retrogressed from Current |
| EB-2 | China | Jan 1, 2022 | Jan 1, 2022 | Jan 1, 2023 | +365 days |
| EB-2 | India | Jan 15, 2015 | Jan 15, 2015 | Jan 15, 2015 | Hold |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | ROW / Mexico | Current | Current | Aug 1, 2024 | Retrogressed from Current |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | China | Jan 8, 2022 | Jan 8, 2022 | Apr 1, 2024 | +814 days |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | India | Jan 15, 2015 | Jan 15, 2015 | Jan 15, 2015 | Hold |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | Philippines | Jan 1, 2024 | Jan 1, 2024 | Jan 1, 2024 | Hold |
| Other Workers | ROW / MX / PH | Aug 1, 2022 | Aug 1, 2022 | Jun 1, 2022 | −61 days |
| Other Workers | China | Oct 1, 2019 | Oct 1, 2019 | Oct 1, 2020 | +366 days |
| Other Workers | India | Jan 15, 2015 | Jan 15, 2015 | Jan 15, 2015 | Hold |
| EB-4 / SR / Cert Rel | All Countries | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan 1, 2025 | +731 days |
| EB-5 Unreserved | ROW / MX / PH | Current | Current | Current | Hold |
| EB-5 Unreserved | China | Mar 1, 2017 | Mar 1, 2017 | Mar 1, 2021 | +1461 days |
| EB-5 Unreserved | India | May 1, 2024 | May 1, 2024 | May 1, 2024 | Hold |
| EB-5 Set-Asides | All (Rural, HU, Infra) | Current | Current | Current | Hold |
Outlook for the Rest of FY-2027
The October bulletin drops every category warning September carried. Sections E, F and G, which flagged EB-1 India, EB-2 and EB-5 Unreserved, are gone. What remains is Section B, a general statement about FY-2027 availability, and Section C, which keeps the religious workers category alive for ten more weeks.
Direct from the October 2026 Bulletin
Section B, Availability of Family-Sponsored and Employment-Based Visas for FY 2027: “With the availability of FY 2027 immigrant visa numbers, dates for filing and final action dates have advanced across various immigrant visa categories. However, some employment-based visa categories for ‘Rest of World’ countries have retrogressed, and these retrogressions are necessary to keep visa issuances within FY 2027 quarterly and annual limits. This situation is being continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.”
Section C, Extension of the Employment Fourth Religious Workers (SR) Category: “H.R. 6500, signed on September 2, 2026, extends the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category through December 11, 2026. The SR category is subject to the same dates for filing and final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability.”
Sharpest Deadline: SR Ends December 11, 2026 Without Another Extension
Section C is the only dated risk in this bulletin. Non-minister religious workers have until December 11, 2026 under H.R. 6500. After that, the category needs another act of Congress, whatever its Final Action date says.
Rest-of-World Employment Is Now Rationed by Quarter
Section B does not promise that October’s rest-of-world dates will hold, only that the situation is “being continually monitored.” Applicants who were counting on September’s Current EB-2 date should plan against Jan 1, 2025 for approval and Mar 15, 2026 for filing.
Family-Sponsored October 2026 Final Action Dates
September pushed F1, F2B, F3 and F4 for rest of world, China and India forward by as much as 890 days. October leaves those dates exactly where September put them and moves Mexico and the Philippines forward instead.
| Category | Country | Aug 2026 | Sep 2026 | Oct 2026 (Official) | Move vs Sep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | ROW / CN / IN | Dec 15, 2018 | Jan 22, 2020 | Jan 22, 2020 | Hold |
| F1 | Mexico | Dec 1, 2007 | Jan 1, 2008 | Sep 8, 2008 | +251 days |
| F1 | Philippines | May 1, 2013 | May 1, 2013 | Nov 1, 2013 | +184 days |
| F2A | ROW / CN / IN / PH | Jul 22, 2026 | Aug 22, 2026 | Sep 22, 2026 | +31 days |
| F2A | Mexico | Jul 22, 2025 | Aug 22, 2025 | Mar 22, 2026 | +212 days |
| F2B | ROW / CN / IN | Jan 1, 2018 | Aug 22, 2019 | Aug 22, 2019 | Hold |
| F2B | Mexico | Feb 15, 2009 | Feb 15, 2009 | May 15, 2010 | +454 days |
| F2B | Philippines | Jun 1, 2013 | Jun 1, 2013 | Oct 1, 2013 | +122 days |
| F3 | ROW / CN / IN | May 15, 2012 | Oct 22, 2014 | Oct 22, 2014 | Hold |
| F3 | Mexico | Jul 1, 2001 | Jul 1, 2001 | Jul 1, 2001 | Hold |
| F3 | Philippines | Feb 22, 2006 | Feb 22, 2006 | Jul 22, 2006 | +150 days |
| F4 | ROW / China | Sep 1, 2009 | Oct 22, 2011 | Oct 22, 2011 | Hold |
| F4 | India | Nov 1, 2006 | Nov 1, 2006 | Dec 15, 2006 | +44 days |
| F4 | Mexico | Apr 8, 2001 | Apr 8, 2001 | Apr 22, 2001 | +14 days |
| F4 | Philippines | Aug 1, 2007 | Aug 22, 2007 | May 15, 2008 | +267 days |
The September Family Surge Held
We expected a pullback and none came. F1 stays at Jan 22, 2020, F2B at Aug 22, 2019, F3 at Oct 22, 2014 and F4 at Oct 22, 2011 for rest of world and China. India’s F4 advances 44 days to Dec 15, 2006. Mexico and the Philippines gain the most: F2B Mexico jumps 454 days to May 15, 2010, F4 Philippines 267 days to May 15, 2008 and F1 Mexico 251 days to Sep 8, 2008, while F1, F2B and F3 Philippines move between 122 and 184 days. F3 Mexico holds at Jul 1, 2001.
F2A advances 31 days to Sep 22, 2026 for every country except Mexico, where it gains 212 days to Mar 22, 2026. The bulletin explains the split: “F2A numbers EXEMPT from per-country limit are authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than 22MAR26. F2A numbers SUBJECT to per-country limit are authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO, with priority dates beginning 22MAR26 and earlier than 22SEP26. All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit.” A Final Action date nine days short of October 1 makes F2A the closest thing to a current family category in this bulletin.
Family-Sponsored October 2026 Dates for Filing
USCIS has designated this chart for family-sponsored adjustment in October, as it did in September; F2A stays Current, and the only rows that move are Mexico, the Philippines and India F4.
| Category | Country | Aug 2026 | Sep 2026 | Oct 2026 (Official) | Move vs Sep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | ROW / CN / IN | Jun 15, 2019 | Feb 1, 2020 | Feb 1, 2020 | Hold |
| F1 | Mexico | Dec 1, 2008 | Dec 1, 2008 | Dec 1, 2008 | Hold |
| F1 | Philippines | Apr 22, 2015 | Apr 22, 2015 | Apr 22, 2015 | Hold |
| F2A | All Countries | Current | Current | Current | Hold |
| F2B | ROW / CN / IN | Jan 1, 2019 | Sep 1, 2019 | Sep 1, 2019 | Hold |
| F2B | Mexico | May 15, 2010 | May 15, 2010 | Mar 22, 2011 | +311 days |
| F2B | Philippines | Oct 1, 2013 | Oct 1, 2013 | Oct 1, 2014 | +365 days |
| F3 | ROW / CN / IN | Mar 1, 2013 | Nov 1, 2014 | Nov 1, 2014 | Hold |
| F3 | Mexico | Jul 15, 2001 | Jul 15, 2001 | Dec 1, 2002 | +504 days |
| F3 | Philippines | Aug 8, 2006 | Aug 8, 2006 | Oct 22, 2006 | +75 days |
| F4 | ROW / China | Jun 22, 2010 | Nov 1, 2011 | Nov 1, 2011 | Hold |
| F4 | India | Dec 15, 2006 | Dec 15, 2006 | Feb 1, 2007 | +48 days |
| F4 | Mexico | Apr 30, 2001 | Apr 30, 2001 | Apr 30, 2001 | Hold |
| F4 | Philippines | Mar 22, 2008 | Mar 22, 2008 | Mar 22, 2009 | +365 days |
How Our September Forecast Held Up
Our September 2026 analysis made four specific calls about this bulletin. Here is how each one landed.
Forecast Scorecard
- “India’s closed categories should reopen.” We expected EB-2 India and EB-5 Unreserved India to carry dates again once FY-2027 numbers arrived. Correct. Both reopened: EB-2 India at Nov 1, 2013 and EB-5 Unreserved India at Dec 1, 2023. EB-2 India came back two months ahead of where it closed; EB-5 India came back about 19 months ahead.
- “Expect the family surge to correct.” We said a pullback in F1, F2B, F3 and F4 for rest of world, China and India would be the normal outcome after September’s year-end push. Wrong. There was no correction. F1, F2B, F3 and F4 for rest of world and China, and F1, F2B and F3 for India, are identical to September, so F3 rest of world stays at Oct 22, 2014. The only India family move was forward, F4 by 44 days.
- “EB-1 India may not reach October intact.” Section E of the September bulletin warned EB-1 India could go Unavailable before September 30. Did not happen in October. EB-1 India opens the new fiscal year 109 days further forward, at Feb 1, 2023. The October bulletin says nothing about whether the category closed in the last days of September; for anyone filing now, the October date is the one that counts.
- “DV-2027 begins and the counter resets.” Wrong. The counter did not reset, because there is nothing to count. The October bulletin has no Diversity Visa section, and DV-2027 registration never opened.
- What we missed. The move that matters most for rest-of-world workers was not on our list: EB-2 losing its Current status. September’s Section F did warn that EB-2 could retrogress before September 30. It arrived with the new fiscal year instead, at Jan 1, 2025.
Diversity Visas: No DV-2027 Cut-Offs in the October Bulletin
October bulletins normally carry the first regional rank cut-offs of the new Diversity Visa year. The October 2026 bulletin has no Diversity Visa section at all: no regional cut-offs, no country exceptions and no advance notice for November. That matches what VisaVerge reported before the bulletin appeared. The State Department never opened registration for the DV-2027 lottery, so the DV-2027 visa year begins on October 1, 2026 with no selectees to schedule.
What the Missing DV Section Means
There is no DV-2027 rank to check against this month, because no one holds one. The DV-2026 program closed on September 30, 2026, and DV-2026 visas can no longer be issued. The State Department has not announced dates for DV-2027 or DV-2028 registration, and a lawsuit asking a federal court in San Diego to force a registration period is still pending.
Only One Place to Enter
When registration does open, it will happen only at dvprogram.state.gov. Any site offering DV-2027 or DV-2028 entry today is not the official lottery. Our DV-2027 green card lottery guide covers eligibility and the new passport-scan entry rule.
What You Should Do This Month
The two changes that matter most this month are India’s reopenings and USCIS’s switch to the Dates for Filing chart for employment cases, which opens adjustment filing to many India applicants for the first time since the summer.
Both categories are open, and you may be able to file now
EB-2 India Final Action is Nov 1, 2013 and EB-5 Unreserved India is Dec 1, 2023. Because USCIS is using the Dates for Filing chart for employment cases in October, you can file an I-485 if your priority date is before Jan 15, 2015 (EB-2) or May 1, 2024 (EB-5 Unreserved) and you are otherwise eligible. Check how your priority date was set before you rely on it.
A 109-day gain, and a filing window to Jul 1, 2024
The Final Action date moves to Feb 1, 2023. The Filing date, which USCIS is accepting for October, jumps 213 days to Jul 1, 2024, so EB-1 India applicants with priority dates before then can submit an adjustment application this month.
Plan against the new dates, not September’s Current
EB-2 rest of world, Mexico and the Philippines now need a priority date before Mar 15, 2026 to file and before Jan 1, 2025 for approval. EB-3 rest of world and Mexico need Aug 1, 2024 to file and May 15, 2024 for approval. An I-485 already filed stays pending through a retrogression; it waits for the date to come back rather than being denied.
Your September date still applies
Every rest-of-world, China and India F1, F2B and F3 date is unchanged from September, and so are F4 rest of world and China. If your case was reached in September’s jump, it is still reached in October. Mexico and Philippines applicants should recheck against the new, later dates. If you are processing at a consulate, note that the worldwide immigrant visa interview pause had not been lifted as of September 26, so a current date does not guarantee an interview this month.
Final Action now reaches Sep 22, 2026
Spouses and children of green card holders with priority dates before Sep 22, 2026 (Mar 22, 2026 for Mexico) are within the Final Action date, and the F2A Filing chart stays Current.
There is no DV-2027 cut-off to check
The October bulletin publishes no Diversity Visa numbers because the DV-2027 lottery never took entries. Ignore any message that says you won DV-2027: the State Department does not email, text or call winners, and results appear only at dvprogram.state.gov. Watch that site and travel.state.gov for DV-2027 or DV-2028 registration dates.
Confirm which chart USCIS designated for October
USCIS decides each month whether adjustment filings use the Final Action chart or the Dates for Filing chart, and it publishes that decision at uscis.gov/visabulletininfo. For October 2026, USCIS says family-sponsored filers must use the Dates for Filing chart, and employment-based filers must also use the Dates for Filing chart. In September, employment filers were limited to Final Action dates. Check the designation before you file rather than assuming it carried over from September.
What to Watch in the November 2026 Bulletin
November is the second month of FY-2027. These four signals will show whether October’s pattern holds.
1. Religious Workers Face a December 11 Deadline
Section C says H.R. 6500 keeps the non-minister religious worker (SR) category alive only through December 11, 2026. Unless Congress extends it again, SR numbers cannot be used after that date, even for applicants whose priority dates are current. SR applicants with a date before Dec 15, 2022 should not wait for a later bulletin to finish their cases.
2. Rest-of-World EB-2 and EB-3 Are Being Paced by Quarter
Section B ties the October retrogressions to FY-2027 “quarterly and annual limits.” The INA limits preference visa use to 27% of the annual total in each of the first three quarters, so November and December are unlikely to hand back September’s Current EB-2 date. The signal to watch is whether EB-2 rest of world holds at Jan 1, 2025 or moves again.
3. Whether India’s Reopened Dates Move Off Their Starting Point
EB-2 India at Nov 1, 2013 and EB-5 Unreserved India at Dec 1, 2023 are opening positions for a new year. With USCIS accepting the Filing chart for employment cases, India applicants with dates up to Jan 15, 2015 (EB-2) and May 1, 2024 (EB-5) can file in October, and that new demand is what State will be measuring when it sets November’s dates.
4. The Final FY-2027 Limits and Any DV-2027 Notice
The October bulletin uses statutory floors, not a final determination: 226,000 family, “at least 140,000” employment and a 25,620 per-country limit. In FY-2026 the final figures did not appear until the September bulletin. Also watch for a State Department notice on DV-2027 registration, since the bulletin cannot carry DV cut-offs until there are selectees.
October 2026 Quick Reference Summary
The highest-impact cells this month, closed or retrogressed categories first, then the largest advances.
| Category | Chart | Country | Sep 2026 | Oct 2026 (Official) | Net Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-2 | Final Action | ROW / MX / PH | Current | Jan 1, 2025 | Retrogressed from Current |
| EB-2 | Filing | ROW / MX / PH | Current | Mar 15, 2026 | Retrogressed from Current |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | Final Action | ROW / Mexico | Sep 1, 2024 | May 15, 2024 | −109 days |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | Filing | ROW / Mexico | Current | Aug 1, 2024 | Retrogressed from Current |
| Other Workers | Final Action | ROW / Mexico | Apr 1, 2022 | Jan 1, 2022 | −90 days |
| EB-2 | Final Action | India | Unavailable | Nov 1, 2013 | Restored |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Final Action | India | Unavailable | Dec 1, 2023 | Restored |
| EB-1 | Final Action | India | Oct 15, 2022 | Feb 1, 2023 | +109 days |
| EB-1 | Filing | China / India | Dec 1, 2023 | Jul 1, 2024 | +213 days |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Filing | China | Mar 1, 2017 | Mar 1, 2021 | +1,461 days |
| EB-3 Pro/Skilled | Filing | China | Jan 8, 2022 | Apr 1, 2024 | +814 days |
| EB-4 / SR | Filing | All Countries | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan 1, 2025 | +731 days |
| F2B | Final Action | Mexico | Feb 15, 2009 | May 15, 2010 | +454 days |
| F4 | Final Action | Philippines | Aug 22, 2007 | May 15, 2008 | +267 days |
| F2A | Final Action | Mexico | Aug 22, 2025 | Mar 22, 2026 | +212 days |
Primary Sources
- U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin (Official)
- USCIS Visa Bulletin Info, Which Chart to Use
- October 2026 Visa Bulletin: Number 19, Volume XI (CA/VO: September 4, 2026), Sections A through D
- September 2026 Visa Bulletin: Number 18, Volume XI (CA/VO: August 10, 2026), and August 2026 Visa Bulletin: Number 17, Volume XI
- VisaVerge: September 2026 Visa Bulletin Complete Analysis
- VisaVerge: DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Complete Guide
- VisaVerge: Understanding Your Priority Date
This article reflects the official October 2026 Visa Bulletin (Number 19, Volume XI) as published by the U.S. Department of State. Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing are set by the Department of State and can be changed, retrogressed or made Unavailable at any time, including between bulletins. USCIS separately determines each month which chart adjustment of status applicants may use, published at uscis.gov/visabulletininfo. This is general information, not legal advice. Consult a licensed immigration attorney about your specific case.
