Visa Lawyer Blog
We are pleased to report that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has published the October 2026 Visa Bulletin.
In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month.
Adjustment of Status Chart
For adjustment of status filings to permanent residence in the month of October, USCIS will continue using the Dates for Filing Chart for family-sponsored categories only.
For employment-based categories, USCIS will begin using the Dates for Filing Chart .
Highlights of the October 2026 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of October?
Employment-Based Categories
Final Action Advancements
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will advance 3.6 months to February 1, 2023
- EB-1 Except China, all other countries remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India moves from unavailable to November 1, 2013
- EB-2 China will advance 1 month to October 1, 2021
- Worldwide, Mexico, Philippines moves from current to a cutoff date of January 1, 2025
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 China will advance 1 week to January 8, 2022
- EB-3 Philippines will advance 2 weeks to August 15, 2023
- Worldwide and Mexico will retrogress 3.6 months from September 1, 2024, to May 15, 2024
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 China will advance 5 months to October 1, 2019
- EB-3 Philippines will advance 1 month to January 1, 2022
- Worldwide and Mexico will retrogress 3 months from April 1, 2022, to January 1, 2022
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India moves from unavailable to a cutoff date of December 1, 2023
- Except China, all other countries will remain current
Dates for Filing Advancements
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India and China will advance 7 months to July 1, 2024
- All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 China will advance 1 year to January 1, 2023
- Worldwide, Mexico, Philippines will move from current to a cutoff date of March 15, 2026
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 China will advance 26 months to April 1, 2024
- Worldwide and Mexico will move from current to a cutoff date of August 1, 2024
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 China will advance 1 year to October 1, 2020
- Worldwide, Mexico, and Philippines will retrogress 2 months from August 1st to June 1, 2022
EB-4 Special Immigrants and Religious Workers
- EB-4 will advance 24 months to January 1, 2025
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 China will advance 4 years to March 1, 2021
- Except India, all other countries will remain current
Family-Sponsored Categories
Final Action Advancements
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance 8 months to September 8, 2008
- F1 Philippines will advance 6 months to November 1, 2013
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A Mexico will advance 7 months to March 22, 2026
- F2A All other countries will advance 1 month to September 22, 2026
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance 15 months to May 15, 2010
- F2B Philippines will advance 4 months to October 1, 2013
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Philippines will advance 5 months to July 22, 2006
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will advance 2 weeks to April 22, 2001
- F4 Philippines will advance 8.8 months to May 15, 2008
- F4 India will advance 1.4 months to December 15, 2006
Dates for Filing Advancements
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- All countries will remain current
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance 10.2 months to March 22, 2011
- F2B Philippines will advance 1 year to October 1, 2014
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will advance 16.6 months to December 1, 2002
- F3 Philippines will advance 2.7 months to October 22, 2006
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Philippines will advance 1 year to March 22, 2009
- F4 India will advance 1.6 months to February 1, 2007
Graphical View – Side by Side
Employment-Based Categories
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories in the month of October.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 China will remain at July 1, 2023
- EB-1 India will advance 3.6 months to February 1, 2023
- All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India goes from unavailable to November 1, 2013
- EB-2 China will advance 1 month to October 1, 2021
- All other countries (Worldwide, Mexico, Philippines) go from current to a cutoff date of January 1, 2025
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at January 1, 2014
- EB-3 China will advance 1 week to January 8, 2022
- EB-3 Philippines will advance 2 weeks to August 15, 2023
- All other countries (Worldwide and Mexico) will retrogress 3.6 months from September 1, 2024, to May 15, 2024
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at January 1, 2014
- EB-3 China will advance 5 months to October 1, 2019
- EB-3 Philippines will advance 1 month to January 1, 2022
- All other countries (Worldwide, Mexico) will retrogress 3 months from April 1, 2022, to January 1, 2022
EB-4 Special Immigrants and Religious Workers
- All countries will remain at December 15, 2022
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India goes from unavailable to a cutoff date of December 1, 2023
- EB-5 China will remain at December 1, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will remain current
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01JUL23 | 01FEB23 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01JAN25 | 01OCT21 | 01NOV13 | 01JAN25 | 01JAN25 |
| 3rd | 15MAY24 | 08JAN22 | 01JAN14 | 15MAY24 | 15AUG23 |
| Other Workers | 01JAN22 | 01OCT19 | 01JAN14 | 01JAN22 | 01JAN22 |
| 4th | 15DEC22 | 15DEC22 | 15DEC22 | 15DEC22 | 15DEC22 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 15DEC22 | 15DEC22 | 15DEC22 | 15DEC22 | 15DEC22 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) |
C | 01DEC16 | 01DEC23 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%, including NR, RR) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%, including NH, RH) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%, including RI) |
C | C | C | C | C |
DATES FOR FILING FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply in October.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India and China will advance 7 months to July 1, 2024
- All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will remain at January 15, 2015
- EB-2 China will advance 1 year to January 1, 2023
- All other countries (Worldwide, Mexico, Philippines) will go from current to a cutoff date of March 15, 2026
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at January 15, 2015
- EB-3 China will advance 26 months to April 1, 2024
- EB-3 Philippines will remain at January 1, 2024
- All other countries (Worldwide and Mexico) will go from current to a cutoff date of August 1, 2024
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at January 15, 2015
- EB-3 China will advance 1 year to October 1, 2020
- All other countries (Worldwide, Mexico, and Philippines) will retrogress 2 months from August 1st to June 1, 2022
EB-4 Special Immigrants and Religious Workers
- EB-4 will advance 24 months to January 1, 2025
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will remain at May 1, 2024
- EB-5 China will advance 4 years to March 1, 2021
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01JUL24 | 01JUL24 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15MAR26 | 01JAN23 | 15JAN15 | 15MAR26 | 15MAR26 |
| 3rd | 01AUG24 | 01APR24 | 15JAN15 | 01AUG24 | 01JAN24 |
| Other Workers | 01JUN22 | 01OCT20 | 15JAN15 | 01JUN22 | 01JUN22 |
| 4th | 01JAN25 | 01JAN25 | 01JAN25 | 01JAN25 | 01JAN25 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01JAN25 | 01JAN25 | 01JAN25 | 01JAN25 | 01JAN25 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 01MAR21 | 01MAY24 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Rural: NR, RR – 20%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment: NH, RH – 10%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure: RI – 2%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of October.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance 8 months to September 8, 2008
- F1 Philippines will advance 6 months to November 1, 2013
- Worldwide, China, and India will remain at January 22, 2020
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A Mexico will advance 7 months to March 22, 2026
- F2A All other countries will advance 1 month to September 22, 2026
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance 15 months to May 15, 2010
- F2B Philippines will advance 4 months to October 1, 2013
- Worldwide, China, India will remain at August 22, 2019
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at July 1, 2001
- F3 Philippines will advance 5 months to July 22, 2006
- Worldwide, China, India will remain at October 22, 2014
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will advance 2 weeks to April 22, 2001
- F4 Philippines will advance 8.8 months to May 15, 2008
- F4 India will advance 1.4 months to December 15, 2006
- Worldwide and China will remain at October 22, 2011
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 22JAN20 | 22JAN20 | 22JAN20 | 08SEP08 | 01NOV13 |
| F2A | 22SEP26 | 22SEP26 | 22SEP26 | 22MAR26 | 22SEP26 |
| F2B | 22AUG19 | 22AUG19 | 22AUG19 | 15MAY10 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22OCT14 | 22OCT14 | 22OCT14 | 01JUL01 | 22JUL06 |
| F4 | 22OCT11 | 22OCT11 | 15DEC06 | 22APR01 | 15MAY |
DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of October.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will remain at December 1, 2008
- F1 Philippines will remain at April 22, 2015
- Worldwide, China, India will remain at February 1, 2020
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- All countries will remain current
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance 10.2 months to March 22, 2011
- F2B Philippines will advance 1 year to October 1, 2014
- Worldwide, China, India will remain at September 1, 2019
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will advance 16.6 months to December 1, 2002
- F3 Philippines will advance 2.7 months to October 22, 2006
- Worldwide, China, India will remain at November 1, 2014
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 30, 2001
- F4 Philippines will advance 1 year to March 22, 2009
- F4 India will advance 1.6 months to February 1, 2007
- Worldwide and China will remain at November 1, 2011
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01FEB20 | 01FEB20 | 01FEB20 | 01DEC08 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 01SEP19 | 01SEP19 | 01SEP19 | 22MAR11 | 01OCT14 |
| F3 | 01NOV14 | 01NOV14 | 01NOV14 | 01DEC02 | 22OCT06 |
| F4 | 01NOV11 | 01NOV11 | 01FEB07 | 30APR01 | 22MAR09 |
Overall
Family-Sponsored: The biggest gains were in the Mexico and Philippines categories, including a 15-month advance for F2B Mexico, a 1-year advance for F2B Philippines in the Dates for Filing chart, and a 16-month jump for F3 Mexico.
Employment-Based: The strongest movement came in EB-3 China, which advanced more than 2 years in the Dates for Filing chart, along with 2-year advances for EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers and a 4-year jump for EB-5 China. EB-2 India and EB-5 India also moved from unavailable to having active cutoff dates in the Final Action chart.
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