US State Department Finalizes FY2026 Employment-Based Visa Limits

The U.S. Department of State released the September 2026 Visa Bulletin, confirming that the worldwide employment-based preference limit for Fiscal Year 2026 is 186,317. This figure, provided by USCIS on July 24, 2026, replaces the previous statutory placeholder of 140,000. Because this limit has been reached, the September bulletin reflects a 'freeze' across nearly all employment-based categories, meaning no further immigrant visas can be issued in these categories until the new fiscal year begins on October 1, 2026.

This annual reset is a critical juncture for global mobility. The exhaustion of visa numbers highlights the high demand for U.S. employment-based immigration and the impact of the Reform and Integrity Act, which prioritizes specific investment categories. As the fiscal year closes, the State Department is focusing on clearing backlogs and preparing for the influx of new applications that typically occur in the first week of October.

This development primarily affects foreign professionals, EB-5 investors, and their families who are currently in the final stages of the green card application process. It also impacts U.S. employers who are sponsoring international talent and are currently awaiting the adjudication of pending adjustment of status applications.

Makutet analysis suggests that the volatility in visa availability will continue to drive a 'rush' to file in the first quarter of each fiscal year. We anticipate that the U.S. government will continue to prioritize 'reserved' investment categories under the Reform and Integrity Act, potentially leading to longer wait times for traditional, non-reserved employment-based applicants throughout 2027.