US State Department Releases September 2026 Employment Visa Bulletin

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) released its official Visa Bulletin for September 2026, which serves as the primary mechanism for determining when applicants for employment-based immigrant visas can proceed with their final green card applications. The latest bulletin confirms that there are no changes to the priority dates for employment-based classifications compared to the previous month. This stagnation reflects the ongoing backlog in the U.S. immigration system and the limited availability of visa numbers under current statutory caps.

For many foreign nationals currently working in the United States on H-1B or other non-immigrant visas, the bulletin is a critical indicator of when they might transition to permanent residency. The lack of movement in the September bulletin suggests that the Department of State is managing a high volume of pending applications as the fiscal year draws to a close. This stability, while frustrating for those awaiting movement, provides a predictable, albeit slow, outlook for the remainder of the 2026 fiscal cycle.

Foreign nationals currently in the United States on employment-based non-immigrant visas who have filed or are preparing to file for adjustment of status are directly affected. Employers sponsoring these individuals must also adjust their workforce planning to account for the continued wait times for permanent residency.

Makutet analysis suggests that the lack of movement in the September bulletin is a strategic pause as the government prepares for the new fiscal year. We anticipate that the October bulletin may offer more clarity, but we do not expect significant, across-the-board advancements in priority dates. Applicants should prepare for a sustained period of administrative processing delays throughout the final quarter of 2026.