US Department of State Updates October 2026 Visa Bulletin Procedures

The U.S. Department of State and USCIS have officially released the Visa Bulletin for October 2026, marking the start of the new fiscal year (FY 2027). This release is critical for foreign nationals seeking employment-based permanent residency, as it dictates the availability of immigrant visa numbers. For October 2026, USCIS has confirmed that applicants in employment-based categories must utilize the 'Dates for Filing' chart to determine their eligibility to submit applications for adjustment of status.

The bulletin reflects the annual statutory limit for employment-based preference immigrants, which is set at a minimum of 140,000. With the reset of the fiscal year, there is typically a movement in priority dates, providing a window of opportunity for those who have been waiting for visa numbers to become current. This update is particularly significant following recent federal court decisions that lifted categorical pauses on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries, potentially clearing a backlog of pending cases.

This update primarily affects foreign nationals currently in the United States or abroad who are seeking employment-based green cards (EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories). It also impacts U.S. employers who are sponsoring these individuals and need to manage expectations regarding the timeline for permanent residency.

Makutet analysis suggests that while the start of the new fiscal year brings a surge in visa availability, the high volume of applicants will likely lead to rapid retrogression in certain categories by early 2027. We advise applicants to act swiftly during this 'window of opportunity' to ensure their applications are received by USCIS before priority dates advance or become unavailable again.