Visa Lawyer Blog
We are pleased to report that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has published the September 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 September, USCIS will continue using the Dates for Filing Chart for family-sponsored categories only.
For employment-based categories, USCIS will also continue using the Final Action Dates Chart.
Highlights of the September 2026 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of September?
Employment-Based Categories
Final Action Advancements
- No changes except for EB-4 which will advance 2 months to December 15, 2022
- EB-2 India and EB-5 India remain unavailable
- The State Department warns that the EB-2, EB-1 India, and EB-5 unreserved categories may become unavailable before the end of September, with availability resuming when the new fiscal year starts in October.
Dates for Filing Advancements
- No changes from August Visa Bulletin
Family-Sponsored Categories
Final Action Advancements
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Mexico will advance 1 month to January 1, 2008
- Worldwide, China, and India will advance 13 months to January 22, 2020
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- Mexico will advance 1 month to August 22, 2025
- All other countries will advance 1 month to August 22, 2026
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- Worldwide, China, India will advance 1 year and 7 months to August 22, 2019
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Worldwide, China, India will advance 2 years and 5 months to October 22, 2014
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Philippines will advance 3 weeks to August 22, 2007
- Worldwide and China will advance 2 years and 1 month to October 22, 2011
Dates for Filing Advancements
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Worldwide, China, India will advance 7 months to 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
- Worldwide, China, India will advance 8 months to September 1, 2019
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Worldwide, China, India will advance 1 year and 8 months to November 1, 2014
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- Worldwide and China will advance 1 year and 4 months to November 1, 2011
Now let’s dive into our analysis.
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 September.
*Except for EB-4, this chart remains unchanged since the August Visa Bulletin.
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 remain at October 15, 2022
- All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India remains unavailable
- EB-2 China will remain at September 1, 2021
- All other countries (Worldwide, Mexico, Philippines) will remain current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at January 1, 2014
- EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2022
- EB-3 Philippines will remain at August 1, 2023
- All other countries (Worldwide and Mexico) will remain at September 1, 2024
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at January 1, 2014
- EB-3 China will remain at May 1, 2019
- EB-3 Philippines will remain at December 1, 2021
- All other countries (Worldwide, Mexico) will remain at April 1, 2022
EB-4 Special Immigrants and Religious Workers
- All countries will advance 2 months to December 15, 2022
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India remains unavailable
- 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 | 15OCT22 | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 01SEP21 | U | C | C |
| 3rd | 01SEP24 | 01JAN22 | 01JAN14 | 01SEP24 | 01AUG23 |
| Other Workers | 01APR22 | 01MAY19 | 01JAN14 | 01APR22 | 01DEC21 |
| 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 | U | 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 September.
*This chart remains unchanged since the August Visa Bulletin.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India and China will remain at December 1, 2023
- 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 remain at January 1, 2022
- All other countries will remain current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at January 15, 2015
- EB-3 China will remain at January 8, 2022
- EB-3 Philippines will remain at January 1, 2024
- All other countries (Worldwide and Mexico) will remain current
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at January 15, 2015
- EB-3 China will remain at October 1, 2019
- All other countries (Worldwide, Mexico, and Philippines) will remain at August 1, 2022
EB-4 Special Immigrants and Religious Workers
- EB-4 will remain at January 1, 2023
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will remain at May 1, 2024
- EB-5 China will remain at March 1, 2017
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01DEC23 | 01DEC23 | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 01JAN22 | 15JAN15 | C | C |
| 3rd | C | 08JAN22 | 15JAN15 | C | 01JAN24 |
| Other Workers | 01AUG22 | 01OCT19 | 15JAN15 | 01AUG22 | 01AUG22 |
| 4th | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 01MAR17 | 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 September.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance 1 month to January 1, 2008
- F1 Philippines will remain at May 1, 2013
- Worldwide, China, and India will advance 13 months to January 22, 2020
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A Mexico will advance 1 month to August 22, 2025
- F2A All other countries will advance 1 month to August 22, 2026
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will remain at February 15, 2009
- F2B Philippines will remain at June 1, 2013
- Worldwide, China, India will advance 1 year and 7 months to August 22, 2019
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at July 1, 2001
- F3 Philippines will remain at February 22, 2006
- Worldwide, China, India will advance 2 years and 5 months to October 22, 2014
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 8, 2001
- F4 Philippines will advance 3 weeks to August 22, 2007
- F4 India will remain at November 1, 2006
- Worldwide and China will advance 2 years and 1 month to 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 | 01JAN08 | 01MAY13 |
| F2A | 22AUG26 | 22AUG26 | 22AUG26 | 22AUG25 | 22AUG26 |
| F2B | 22AUG19 | 22AUG19 | 22AUG19 | 15FEB09 | 01JUN13 |
| F3 | 22OCT14 | 22OCT14 | 22OCT14 | 01JUL01 | 22FEB06 |
| F4 | 22OCT11 | 22OCT11 | 01NOV06 | 08APR01 | 22AUG07 |
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 September.
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 advance 7 months to 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 remain at May 15, 2010
- F2B Philippines will remain at October 1, 2013
- Worldwide, China, India will advance 8 months to September 1, 2019
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at July 15, 2001
- F3 Philippines will remain at August 8, 2006
- Worldwide, China, India will advance 1 year and 8 months to November 1, 2014
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 30, 2001
- F4 Philippines will remain at March 22, 2008
- F4 India will remain at December 15, 2006
- Worldwide and China will advance 1 year and 4 months to 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 | 15MAY10 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 01NOV14 | 01NOV14 | 01NOV14 | 15JUL01 | 08AUG06 |
| F4 | 01NOV11 | 01NOV11 | 15DEC06 | 30APR01 | 22MAR0 |
The Bottom Line
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin delivers its most significant progress in the family-sponsored categories, while employment-based movement remains largely frozen.
On the Final Action Dates chart, F3 Worldwide, China, and India advance an impressive 2 years and 5 months, F4 Worldwide and China move forward 2 years and 1 month, and F2B Worldwide, China, and India advance 1 year and 7 months.
The Dates for Filing chart also brings major progress, with F3 Worldwide, China, and India advancing 1 year and 8 months and F4 Worldwide and China advancing 1 year and 4 months.
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