US State Department Releases October 2026 Visa Bulletin for FY2027

The US Department of State has published the Visa Bulletin for October 2026, marking the official start of the 2027 fiscal year. This document is the primary mechanism for determining the availability of immigrant visa numbers for both family-sponsored and employment-based categories. With the start of the new fiscal year, annual visa limits have been reset, leading to advancements in several priority dates for applicants worldwide.

However, the bulletin also highlights that significant backlogs persist for applicants from India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines. The bulletin provides two distinct sets of dates: 'Final Action Dates,' which indicate when a visa may be issued, and 'Dates for Filing,' which determine when an applicant can submit their adjustment of status or consular processing paperwork. These dates are subject to change based on fluctuating demand and the pace of visa issuance throughout the year.

This update affects foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the United States through family-sponsored or employment-based preference categories. It is particularly relevant to those currently in the queue for green cards who are monitoring their priority dates to see if they have become current.

Makutet analysis suggests that while the start of the fiscal year provides a temporary boost in visa availability, the persistent backlogs for high-demand countries remain a structural challenge. We forecast that the State Department will continue to manage these categories conservatively, and applicants should prepare for potential retrogression in later months if visa demand exceeds the newly allocated annual supply.