US October 2026 Visa Bulletin Opens New Employment Filing Window

The U.S. Department of State has officially released the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, signaling the start of the 2027 fiscal year. This release is critical for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency, as it resets the annual allocation of immigrant visa numbers. For October 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that applicants for both employment-based and family-based adjustment of status may utilize the 'Dates for Filing' chart to determine their eligibility to submit Form I-485.

A notable development in this bulletin is the reopening of the EB-2 category for Indian nationals. After the per-country limit was reached in July 2026, rendering the category unavailable, the start of the new fiscal year has allowed for a reset, with a Final Action Date established for November 1, 2013. This provides a long-awaited window for many professionals to advance their green card applications. The bulletin also reflects broader movements in worldwide EB-2 and EB-3 categories, which have experienced some retrogression, highlighting the volatility of priority date availability.

This update primarily affects foreign nationals currently residing in the United States who are seeking to adjust their status to permanent residents through employment-based or family-sponsored categories. It is particularly relevant to Indian nationals in the EB-2 category and those tracking priority dates for EB-5 investment visas.

Makutet anticipates that the reopening of the EB-2 India category will lead to a surge in filings, potentially causing processing backlogs at USCIS service centers in the coming quarter. We advise applicants to act promptly within the October window, as the Department of State may adjust filing charts in subsequent months if visa demand exceeds the newly available annual quota.