Visa bulletin October 2026-Full Updates & November Predictions
The U.S. Department of State has released the October 2026 Visa Bulletin. The new fiscal year brings significant movement in several categories, particularly for China and EB-1 India, while some employment-based categories for other countries have regressed. We will use the Dates for Filing chart this month.
Family-Sponsored Preference Dates for Filing table:
F1 (Unmarried Sons & Daughters of U.S. Citizens)
- All other areas: No change.
- Mexico: No change.
- Philippines: No change.
F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents)
- All other areas: Remains Current.
- Mexico: Remains Current.
- Philippines: Remains Current.
F2B (Unmarried Sons & Daughters, 21+)
- All other areas: No change.
- Mexico: Advances by 10 months 7 days.
- Philippines: Advances by 1 year.
F3 (Married Sons & Daughters of U.S. Citizens)
- All other areas: No change.
- Mexico: Advances by 1 year 4 months 16 days.
- Philippines: Advances by 2 months 14 days.
F4 (Brothers & Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens)
- All other areas: No change.
- China: No change.
- India: Advances by 1 month 17 days.
- Mexico: No change.
- Philippines: Advances by 1 year.
Employment-Based Preferences Dates for Filing table:
EB-1 (Priority Workers)
- All other areas: No change (remains Current).
- China: Advances by 7 months.
- India: Advances by 7 months.
- Mexico / Philippines: No change.
EB-2 (Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability)
- All other areas: Retrogresses to March 15, 2026.
- China: Advances by 1 year.
- India: No change.
- Mexico / Philippines: Retrogresses to March 15, 2026.
EB-3 (Skilled Workers & Professionals)
- All other areas: Retrogresses to August 1, 2024.
- China: Advances by 2 years, 2 months, 24 days.
- India: No change.
- Mexico: Retrogresses to August 1, 2024.
- Philippines: No change.
EB-3 Other Workers
- All other areas: Retrogresses by 2 months.
- China: Advances by 1 year.
- India: No change.
- Mexico / Philippines: Retrogresses by 2 months.
EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants)
- All areas: Advances by 2 years.
EB-5 (Investors, Unreserved)
- All other areas: No change (remains Current).
- China: Advances by 4 years.
- India: No change.
- Mexico / Philippines: No change.
Key Takeaways
- Major China movement: EB-2, EB-3, and EB-5 filing dates advanced significantly.
- EB-1 India: Advances by 7 months.
- EB-2/EB-3 India: No change, remaining at January 15, 2015.
- Worldwide EB-2 and EB-3: Dates for filing retrogress in October.
- Family categories: Several notable advances occur for Mexico and the Philippines.
Why the Lack of Movement for India EB-2 and EB-3 Matters
The unchanged January 15, 2015 cutoff is particularly significant because the Dates for Filing chart had already reached that date earlier in FY2026. Therefore, applicants eligible to file under the Dates for Filing chart earlier generally had an opportunity to submit their I-485 applications then. October’s unchanged cutoff does not create a second filing opportunity for a new group of applicants whose priority dates are after January 15, 2015. Instead, it preserves the existing filing window
What Should Employers and Applicants Do Now?
Because USCIS is accepting employment-based I-485 filings using the October Dates for Filing chart, applicants whose priority dates fall within the October filing window should review their cases promptly.
For applicants newly eligible to file, preparation should include:
- Confirming the priority date and employment-based category.
- Confirming the applicant’s country of chargeability.
- Reviewing maintenance of nonimmigrant status and other adjustment issues.
- Preparing the principal applicant’s I-485 and the applications for eligible derivatives.
- Reviewing the medical examination and vaccination requirements.
- Determining whether to file I-765 and I-131 applications.
- Reviewing the applicant’s immigration history and admissibility issues before filing.
November Visa Bulletin Predictions 2026
Based on the October 2026 movement, modest movement may be possible in November. EB-1 India and China could advance further, while EB-2 and EB-3 India may remain unchanged or see limited movement. China’s EB-2 and EB-3 categories could also advance, while Worldwide employment categories may remain restricted.
If you have questions about immigration-related issues, filing for a new visa or seeking specific advice. Ask us now!
