Visa Bulletin October 2026: Priority Dates for Every Category
Data as of · Source: U.S. Department of State, Visa Bulletin
These are the priority date cutoffs in the October 2026 Visa Bulletin. A date means applicants with an earlier priority date can move forward; "Current" means there is no backlog; "Unavailable" means no visas are available in that category this month. Green and red notes show the change from the previous month.
USCIS filing chart for October 2026 (adjustment of status in the U.S.)
- Family-sponsored: use Dates for Filing
- Employment-based: use Dates for Filing
Source: USCIS, October 2026 adjustment of status filing charts. Applicants outside the U.S. follow the National Visa Center, not this designation. Current designation.
Employment-based: Final Action Dates
Final Action Dates are the dates when a green card can be approved: if your priority date is earlier than the date shown, a visa number can be issued.
| Category | India | China | Mexico | Philippines | All other countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Feb 1, 2023+3.6 months | Jul 1, 2023 | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | Nov 1, 2013 | Oct 1, 2021+1 months | Jan 1, 2025 | Jan 1, 2025 | Jan 1, 2025 |
| EB-3 | Jan 1, 2014 | Jan 8, 2022+0.2 months | May 15, 2024-3.6 months | Aug 15, 2023+0.5 months | May 15, 2024-3.6 months |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Jan 1, 2014 | Oct 1, 2019+5 months | Jan 1, 2022-3 months | Jan 1, 2022+1 months | Jan 1, 2022-3 months |
| EB-4 | Dec 15, 2022 | Dec 15, 2022 | Dec 15, 2022 | Dec 15, 2022 | Dec 15, 2022 |
| EB-5 | Dec 1, 2023 | Dec 1, 2016 | Current | Current | Current |
Employment-based: Dates for Filing
Dates for Filing are the earliest dates when applicants can submit documents or file an adjustment of status application, if USCIS says to use that chart in a given month.
| Category | India | China | Mexico | Philippines | All other countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Jul 1, 2024+7 months | Jul 1, 2024+7 months | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | Jan 15, 2015 | Jan 1, 2023+12 months | Mar 15, 2026 | Mar 15, 2026 | Mar 15, 2026 |
| EB-3 | Jan 15, 2015 | Apr 1, 2024+26.7 months | Aug 1, 2024 | Jan 1, 2024 | Aug 1, 2024 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Jan 15, 2015 | Oct 1, 2020+12 months | Jun 1, 2022-2 months | Jun 1, 2022-2 months | Jun 1, 2022-2 months |
| EB-4 | Jan 1, 2025+24 months | Jan 1, 2025+24 months | Jan 1, 2025+24 months | Jan 1, 2025+24 months | Jan 1, 2025+24 months |
| EB-5 | May 1, 2024 | Mar 1, 2021+48 months | Current | Current | Current |
Family-sponsored: Final Action Dates
| Category | India | China | Mexico | Philippines | All other countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Jan 22, 2020 | Jan 22, 2020 | Sep 8, 2008+8.2 months | Nov 1, 2013+6 months | Jan 22, 2020 |
| F2A | Sep 22, 2026+1 months | Sep 22, 2026+1 months | Mar 22, 2026+7 months | Sep 22, 2026+1 months | Sep 22, 2026+1 months |
| F2B | Aug 22, 2019 | Aug 22, 2019 | May 15, 2010+14.9 months | Oct 1, 2013+4 months | Aug 22, 2019 |
| F3 | Oct 22, 2014 | Oct 22, 2014 | Jul 1, 2001 | Jul 22, 2006+4.9 months | Oct 22, 2014 |
| F4 | Dec 15, 2006+1.4 months | Oct 22, 2011 | Apr 22, 2001+0.5 months | May 15, 2008+8.8 months | Oct 22, 2011 |
Family-sponsored: Dates for Filing
| Category | India | China | Mexico | Philippines | All other countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Feb 1, 2020 | Feb 1, 2020 | Dec 1, 2008 | Apr 22, 2015 | Feb 1, 2020 |
| F2A | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| F2B | Sep 1, 2019 | Sep 1, 2019 | Mar 22, 2011+10.2 months | Oct 1, 2014+12 months | Sep 1, 2019 |
| F3 | Nov 1, 2014 | Nov 1, 2014 | Dec 1, 2002+16.6 months | Oct 22, 2006+2.5 months | Nov 1, 2014 |
| F4 | Feb 1, 2007+1.6 months | Nov 1, 2011 | Apr 30, 2001 | Mar 22, 2009+12 months | Nov 1, 2011 |
See every change in the October 2026 bulletin, with the previous value for each cell.
All Visa Bulletins since 2015
Open any month for that issue's charts and what changed from the month before.
FAQ
What is the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing?
Final Action Dates are the dates when a green card can be approved: if your priority date is earlier than the date shown, a visa number can be issued. Dates for Filing are the earliest dates when applicants can submit documents or file an adjustment of status application, if USCIS says to use that chart in a given month.
Which chart should I use to file my adjustment of status?
USCIS announces each month whether employment-based and family-sponsored applicants should use the Dates for Filing chart or the Final Action Dates chart. For October 2026, it is Dates for Filing for family-sponsored and Dates for Filing for employment-based applicants. Each monthly bulletin page here shows that month's designation.
Where does this data come from?
From the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin. Issues from October 2015 on are kept so you can see how each cutoff moved over time.
Source: U.S. Department of State, Visa Bulletin. Always confirm with the official bulletin before acting.