October Visa Bulletin Opens FY 2027 With Mixed News for Green Cards
The State Department's October 2026 Visa Bulletin marks fiscal year 2027 with significant movement in some employment categories but retrogression for EB-2 and EB-3 workers from most countries. India-born professionals see EB-2 renewal, while family-based categories advance.
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin, released by the State Department on October 1, marks the start of fiscal year 2027 and brings major shifts in green card availability across employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
Key Movements
Employment-Based Winners:
- EB-1 (extraordinary ability and executives): Applicants from all countries except India and China now remain current for filing.
- India-born EB-2: After months of unavailability (July–September), EB-2 visa numbers have renewed, advancing filing dates to July 1, 2024.
- China-based applicants: Most employment categories see date advancement.
Employment-Based Setbacks:
- EB-2 and EB-3 retrogression: Professionals in most other countries face backward movement of two years or more, a deliberate slowdown intended to manage visa issuance within FY 2027 limits.
Family-Based Advances:
- F-2A (spouses and children under 21 of green card holders) remains current for all countries.
- F1 and F2B categories show modest movement for most countries.
How to Use It
For October 2026, USCIS determined that applicants in all family-sponsored preference categories and employment-based preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart. This allows more applicants to file green card applications now than the Final Action dates would permit, though final approvals may come later.
If you're employment-based and not from India or China's EB-1 category, expect your green card wait to lengthen. If you're India-born and EB-2, this month opens filing windows—act on advice from your attorney. Monitor state.gov/visa-bulletin monthly for updates to your priority date.
Sources
Independent app, not a government. General information, not advice. The official source:
