US September 2026 Visa Bulletin Shows Mixed Family and EB Progress

The US Department of State has released its Visa Bulletin for September 2026, marking the final month of the 2026 fiscal year. The bulletin highlights a divergence in processing trends: while family-sponsored preference categories have seen notable forward movement—with some categories advancing by as much as 20 months—employment-based (EB) categories have remained largely unchanged from the previous month. This progress in family-based categories offers a rare window of opportunity for those awaiting family reunification.

Conversely, the employment-based sector faces potential constraints as the fiscal year draws to a close. High-demand categories, particularly EB-1 (India), EB-2 (Worldwide/India), and EB-5 Unreserved, are at risk of hitting annual numerical caps. If these caps are reached before the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2026, these categories may become 'unavailable' until the new fiscal year begins on October 1, 2026. Additionally, the Diversity Visa (DV-2026) program is set to expire on September 30, meaning all pending cases must be finalized before this date.

This bulletin affects individuals currently in the queue for US immigrant visas, including family-sponsored applicants and those in employment-based categories. It is particularly relevant for those whose priority dates have recently become current, allowing them to take the next step in their immigration journey.

Makutet observes that the significant advancement in family-based categories is a strategic effort to utilize remaining visa numbers before the fiscal year ends. However, we caution that the stagnation in employment-based categories suggests a continued backlog that will likely persist into the 2027 fiscal year, necessitating careful long-term planning for corporate immigration strategies.