US October 2026 Visa Bulletin Triggers New Employment Filing Rules
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin marks the start of the new fiscal year with significant shifts in employment-based filing dates and visa availability.
Traveller Impact
Check the latest Visa Bulletin charts to determine if you are eligible to file your Form I-485 during the month of October 2026.
Why This Matters
On October 2, 2026, the US Department of State released the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, marking the beginning of the 2027 fiscal year. This release is critical for employment-based (EB) visa applicants as it determines the availability of visa numbers and the eligibility to file an Adjustment of Status (AOS) application with USCIS. The bulletin introduced both advancements and retrogressions in various categories to balance visa demand within annual limits.
Notably, the EB-2 category for India has reopened after being listed as "unavailable" at the end of the previous fiscal year, providing a pathway for applicants to resume their filing process. However, other categories, particularly for "Rest of World" countries, have seen retrogression. USCIS has confirmed that for October 2026, applicants may use the "Dates for Filing" chart to determine their eligibility to file Form I-485, which is generally more favorable than the "Final Action Dates" chart.
Who Is Affected
This update affects foreign nationals currently residing in the United States who are in the process of applying for permanent residence through employment-based categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and EB-5). It also impacts foreign nationals seeking immigrant visas through consular processing abroad.
What Travellers Should Do
Consult with your immigration counsel immediately to determine if your priority date is current based on the "Dates for Filing" chart in the October bulletin.
If eligible, ensure your Form I-485 application is prepared and submitted within the month of October to take advantage of the current filing window.
Monitor USCIS and Department of State websites monthly, as filing eligibility can change rapidly if the government decides to revert to the "Final Action Dates" chart.
Maintain valid non-immigrant status while your adjustment application is pending to avoid any issues with your legal presence in the US.
Makutet Insight
Makutet analysts interpret the October 2026 shifts as a strategic move by the administration to manage the heavy backlog from the 2026 fiscal year. We anticipate that further fluctuations in the Visa Bulletin charts will continue throughout the first quarter of FY 2027 as officials adjust numbers to ensure total annual quotas are not exceeded while attempting to satisfy high demand from key countries like India and China.
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