October 2026 Visa Bulletin changes bring new India green card dates, including EB-2, EB-5, and EB-1 movements.
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin changes bring fresh green card cutoff dates as fiscal year 2027 begins for applicants worldwide.
The new bulletin resets annual immigrant visa availability while changing several employment-based categories for Indian applicants significantly.
October 2026 Visa Bulletin Changes Explained
October marks the beginning of fiscal year 2027, restoring visa numbers after several employment categories exhausted allocations.
Indian applicants will see notable changes across EB-1, EB-2, and EB-5 categories under new allocations.
EB-2 India Gets a New Cutoff
EB-2 India moves from unavailable status to a November 1, 2013 final action date under October’s bulletin.
That change follows the exhaustion of India’s fiscal 2026 EB-2 allocation before October’s annual reset occurred.
Applicants with earlier priority dates may now see their cases become eligible for final action processing.
EB-1 India Also Moves Forward
EB-1 India advances from October 15, 2022, to February 1, 2023, creating additional movement for applicants.
The change gives some applicants with qualifying priority dates a new opportunity for green card processing.
EB-5 India Availability Returns
The unreserved EB-5 category receives a December 1, 2023 cutoff after remaining unavailable during September’s closing period.
The fiscal year reset restores immigrant visa availability after India reached its previous annual EB-5 limit.
Other Employment Categories See Limited Movement
EB-3 India remains unchanged, while Other Workers, EB-4, and Certain Religious Workers also retain existing dates.
Some worldwide employment categories experienced retrogression as officials adjusted allocations to manage available annual visa numbers.
Family-Sponsored Categories Change Slightly
Family-sponsored categories show smaller movements compared with several employment-based changes affecting Indian green card applicants.
F2A and F4 categories receive modest advances, while other family categories largely maintain their existing positions.
What Applicants Should Check Now
Applicants should compare their priority dates against October’s Final Action Dates before assessing potential green card eligibility.
Those preparing adjustment applications should also confirm which filing chart applies during October before submitting paperwork.
USCIS determines whether applicants can use Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing for adjustment applications.
A priority date becoming current does not automatically guarantee approval because other eligibility requirements still apply.
October Brings a New Fiscal Year
The October bulletin starts fiscal year 2027 and resets annual immigrant visa availability across eligible preference categories.
For Indian applicants, the biggest changes involve renewed EB-2 and EB-5 availability alongside EB-1 advancement.
Applicants should monitor subsequent bulletins because cutoff dates can advance, remain unchanged, or retrogress depending upon demand.
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