Visa bulletin September 2026-Full Updates & October Predictions
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin, the final bulletin of Fiscal Year 2026, brings important updates across family-sponsored and employment-based categories. While some categories have advanced, the Department of State warns that increased demand could lead to retrogression or visa unavailability before the fiscal year ends.
Below, we highlight the key Final Action Dates, Dates for Filing, and category movements applicants should know for September 2026.
For Family-Sponsored Filings:
For all family-sponsored preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for September 2026.
For Employment-Based Preference Filings:
For all employment-based preference categories, you must use the Final Action Dates chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for September 2026
Family Sponsored Cases (Final Action Dates)
| Category | All Countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines | Movement Notes |
| F1 | 15DEC18 → 22JAN20 | 15DEC18 → 22JAN20 | 15DEC18 → 22JAN20 | 01DEC07 → 01JAN08 | 01MAY13 → 01MAY13 | Worldwide/China/India advanced 1 year 1 month 7 days; Mexico advanced 1 month; Philippines unchanged |
| F2A | 22JUL26 → 22AUG26 | 22JUL26 → 22AUG26 | 22JUL26 → 22AUG26 | 22JUL25 → 22AUG25 | 22JUL26 → 22AUG26 | All regions advanced 1 month |
| F2B | 01JAN18 → 22AUG19 | 01JAN18 → 22AUG19 | 01JAN18 → 22AUG19 | 015FEB09 → 15FEB09 | 01JUN13 → 01JUN13 | Worldwide/China/India advanced 1 year 7 months 21 days; Mexico & Philippines unchanged |
| F3 | 15MAY12 → 22OCT14 | 15MAY12 → 22OCT14 | 15MAY12 → 22OCT14 | 01JUL01 → 01JUL01 | 22FEB06 → 22FEB06 | Worldwide/China/India advanced 2 years 5 months 7 days; Mexico & Philippines unchanged |
| F4 | 001SEP09 → 22OCT11 | 01SEP09 → 22OCT11 | 01NOV06 → 01NOV06 | 08APR01 → 08APR01 | 01AUG07 → 01AUG07 | Worldwide/China advanced 2 years 1 month 21 days; India, Mexico & Philippines unchanged |
Family-Sponsored Cases (Dates For Filing)
| Category | All Countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines | Movement Notes |
| F1 | 01OCT18 → 01FEB20 | 01OCT18 → 01FEB20 | 01OCT18 → 01FEB20 | 01OCT08 → 01DEC08 | 22APR15 → 22APR15 | Worldwide/China/India advanced 1 year 4 months; Mexico advanced 2 months; Philippines unchanged |
| F2A | C → C | C → C | C → C | C → C | C → C | Remains Current in all regions |
| F2B | 22MAR18 → 01SEP19 | 22MAR18 → 01SEP19 | 22MAR18 → 01SEP19 | 15MAY10 → 15MAY10 | 01OCT13 → 01OCT13 | Worldwide/China/India advanced 1 year 5 months 10 days; Mexico & Philippines unchanged |
| F3 | 08DEC12 → 01NOV14 | 08DEC12 → 01NOV14 | 08DEC12 → 01NOV14 | 15JUL01 → 15JUL01 | 08AUG06 → 08AUG06 | Worldwide/China/India advanced 1 year 10 months 24 days; Mexico & Philippines unchanged |
| F4 | 22DEC09 → 01NOV11 | 22DEC09 → 01NOV11 | 15DEC06 → 15DEC06 | 30APR01 → 30APR01 | 22MAR08 → 22MAR08 | Worldwide/China advanced 1 year 10 months 10 days; India, Mexico & Philippines unchanged |
Employment-Based Cases (Final Action Dates)
| Category | All Countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines | Movement Notes |
| EB-1 | C → C | 01JUL23 → 01JUL23 | 15OCT22 → 15OCT22 | C → C | C → C | No change across all regions. |
| EB-2 | C → C | 01SEP21 → 01SEP21 | U → U | C → C | C → C | No change; India remains Unavailable. |
| EB-3 | 01SEP24 → 01SEP24 | 01JAN22 → 01JAN22 | 01JAN14→ 01JAN14 | 01SEP24 → 01SEP24 | 01AUG23 → 01AUG23 | No change across all regions. |
| Other Workers | 01APR22 → 01APR22 | 01MAY19 → 01MAY19 | 01JAN14 → 01JAN14 | 01APR22 → 01APR22 | 01DEC21 → 01DEC21 | No change across all regions. |
| EB-4 | 15OCT22 → 15DEC22 | 15OCT22 → 15DEC22 | 15OCT22 → 15DEC22 | 15OCT22 → 15DEC22 | 15OCT22 → 15DEC22 | All regions advanced 2 months. |
| Certain Religious Workers | 15OCT22 → 15DEC22 | 15OCT22 → 15DEC22 | 15OCT22 → 15DEC22 | 15OCT22 → 15DEC22 | 15OCT22 → 15DEC22 | All regions advanced 2 months. |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C → C | 01DEC16 → 01DEC16 | U → U | C → C | C → C | No change; India remains Unavailable. |
| EB-5 Set Aside | C → C | C → C | C → C | C → C | C → C | Remains Current across all regions. |
Employment-Based Cases (Dates For Filing)
| Category | All Countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines | Movement Notes |
| EB-1 | C → C | 01DEC23 → 01DEC23 | 01DEC23 → 01DEC23 | C → C | C → C | No change across all regions. |
| EB-2 | C → C | 01JAN22 → 01JAN22 | 15JAN15 → 15JAN15 | C → C | C → C | No movement in any region. |
| EB-3 | C → C | 01JAN22 → 08JAN22 | 15JAN15 → 15JAN15 | C → C | 01JAN24 → 01JAN24 | No change across all regions. |
| Other Workers | 01AUG22 → 01AUG22 | 01OCT19 → 01OCT19 | 15JAN15 → 15JAN15 | 01AUG22 → 01AUG22 | 01AUG22 → 01AUG22 | No movement in any region. |
| EB-4 | 01JAN23 → 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 → 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 → 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 → 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 → 01JAN23 | No movement in any region. |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01JAN23 → 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 → 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 → 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 → 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 → 01JAN23 | No movement in any region. |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C → C | 01MAR17 → 01MAR17 | 01MAY24 → 01MAY24 | C → C | C → C | No movement in any region. |
| EB-5 Set Aside | C → C | C → C | C → C | C → C | C → C | Remains current in all regions. |
Key Takeaways from the September 2026 Visa Bulletin
Family-Sponsored Categories
- F2A remains a major highlight, with the Dates for Filing chart remaining Current for all countries.
- F1, F2B, F3, and F4 show continued movement, although significant differences remain among Mexico, the Philippines, and other chargeability areas.
- September is the final month of FY2026, so applicants should not assume that current cut-off dates will remain unchanged going into the new fiscal year.
Employment-Based Categories
- EB-1 India remains under significant pressure. The Department of State warns that the category could become unavailable if India’s FY2026 allocation is reached.
- EB-2 India is Unavailable for September, reflecting continued high demand.
- EB-5 Unreserved India is also Unavailable, while EB-5 set-aside categories remain Current.
- EB-3 India remains at January 1, 2014, while EB-3 Worldwide advances to September 1, 2024.
October Visa Bulletin Predictions 2026
With FY2027 beginning on October 1, some employment-based categories could see improved visa availability as a new fiscal-year allocation becomes available. However, the pace of movement will depend heavily on demand and the Department of State’s assessment of available numbers.
Family-Based Categories
Moderate movement may continue, particularly in categories that have shown progress during FY2026.
Employment-Based Categories
- EB-2 India: Some forward movement may become possible in FY2027, but substantial advancement is unlikely immediately.
- EB-1 India: The category could recover from September’s pressure, although high demand may continue to limit movement.
- EB-3 India: Gradual advancement may be possible, but do not assume a large jump.
Overall, applicants should expect careful, demand-driven movement at the start of FY2027 rather than assuming major advancement across all categories.
