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In this article
- What changed
- Which chart USCIS accepts
- India, China and the retrogression
- What applicants should do
- Questions readers ask
The US State Department’s October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the first of fiscal year 2027, moves several employment-based green card dates forward but pulls back EB-2 for most countries. USCIS has confirmed that adjustment-of-status applicants may use the Dates for Filing chart this month, which widens who can file.
What changed
According to Ogletree Deakins and Manifest Law, EB-1 dates for India and China advanced by about seven months, EB-2 India became available again after being unavailable in September, and EB-5 India unreserved reopened at 1 December 2023. EB-2 for the rest of the world, Mexico and the Philippines retrogressed. Both summaries say the State Department attributed the pull-back to quarterly and annual numerical limits and said it will keep monitoring demand. Law-firm summaries differ on some exact dates, so confirm figures in the official bulletin before acting.
Which chart USCIS accepts
Ogletree reports that USCIS confirmed employment-based applicants may use the Dates for Filing chart in October 2026. That chart is more generous than the Final Action Dates chart, so more people can submit applications even though approval still waits for a visa number. USCIS reassesses the chart choice monthly, so October’s position may not carry into November.
India, China and the retrogression
Consider an Indian software engineer with an approved petition in EB-2. The bulletin’s return to availability for India is good news, but it is a monthly position and can move again. Applicants from the rest of the world face the opposite situation in EB-2, where final action dates went backward. Family categories also moved: Manifest Law reports gains for Mexico and the Philippines in F1 and for India and the Philippines in F4. For context on why this month’s bulletin was late, read our earlier explainer and our note on the H-1B fee extension.
What applicants should do
Check your priority date and category against both charts, ask your attorney whether to file now under Dates for Filing, and keep documents current in case a date retrogresses. A visa bulletin is not a guarantee of an interview or approval. You can test your own options with our visa eligibility checker.
Questions readers ask
What is the October 2026 Visa Bulletin?
It is the State Department’s monthly list of cut-off dates for immigrant visas, and the first bulletin of fiscal year 2027.
Which chart can employment-based applicants use?
USCIS said applicants may use the Dates for Filing chart in October 2026, according to Ogletree Deakins.
What happened to EB-2 India?
It returned to availability after being unavailable in September, per law-firm summaries.
Did EB-2 for the rest of the world get worse?
Yes. EB-2 for the rest of the world, Mexico and the Philippines retrogressed, and the State Department cited quarterly and annual limits.
Will these dates stay the same next month?
Not necessarily. The chart choice and dates are reassessed monthly.
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