US Visa Bulletin Latest Dates and Priority Guide 2026
The US Visa Bulletin is a monthly chart from the U.S. Department of State that shows when immigrant visa numbers are available in family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories. If you are waiting for a green card, it tells you whether your priority date has been reached. This guide explains the latest bulletin, how to read the two charts, how your country of birth affects your date, and what to do next. It is written for readers worldwide, so always confirm your own situation with official sources.
What Is US Visa Bulletin?
The Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin every month. U.S. law limits how many preference immigrant visas can be issued each year. When more people apply than there are numbers, a category becomes oversubscribed, and a cut-off date decides who can move forward. The bulletin lists those cut-off dates by category and chargeability area.
In short, the bulletin helps you answer one question: has my priority date (the date your petition or labor certification was filed, shown on your receipt or approval notice) been reached? It only applies to preference categories. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, such as spouses and unmarried children under 21, are not subject to these cut-off dates.
Latest US Visa Bulletin for October 2026
The October 2026 bulletin, the first of fiscal year 2027, is the current one on the Department of State website, and the next bulletin was listed as “coming soon” at the time of review. The Department says dates advanced across various categories, but some employment-based categories for “Rest of World” countries retrogressed to stay within FY 2027 limits. It also says the situation is monitored continually, so adjustments are possible.
The bulletin writes dates as day-month-year (for example, 22SEP26). The tables below convert selected dates. “Rest of World” means “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed.” Verify everything against the official October 2026 bulletin, which also lists China, Mexico, and the Philippines.
Family-sponsored (selected)
| Visa Category | Country or Chargeability Area | Final Action Date | Date for Filing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Rest of World, China, India | 22 Jan 2020 | 01 Feb 2020 | Cut-off date |
| F2A | Rest of World | 22 Sep 2026 | Current | Cut-off date (FAD), current (filing) |
| F2B | Rest of World | 22 Aug 2019 | 01 Sep 2019 | Cut-off date |
| F3 | Rest of World | 22 Oct 2014 | 01 Nov 2014 | Cut-off date |
| F4 | Rest of World | 22 Oct 2011 | 01 Nov 2011 | Cut-off date |
| F4 | India | 15 Dec 2006 | 01 Feb 2007 | Cut-off date |
Employment-based (selected)
| Visa Category | Country or Chargeability Area | Final Action Date | Date for Filing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Rest of World | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-1 | China / India | 01 Jul 2023 / 01 Feb 2023 | 01 Jul 2024 / 01 Jul 2024 | Cut-off date |
| EB-2 | Rest of World | 01 Jan 2025 | 15 Mar 2026 | Cut-off date |
| EB-2 | China / India | 01 Oct 2021 / 01 Nov 2013 | 01 Jan 2023 / 15 Jan 2015 | Cut-off date |
| EB-3 | Rest of World | 15 May 2024 | 01 Aug 2024 | Cut-off date |
| EB-3 | China / India | 08 Jan 2022 / 01 Jan 2014 | 01 Apr 2024 / 15 Jan 2015 | Cut-off date |
| EB-4 | All areas | 15 Dec 2022 | 01 Jan 2025 | Cut-off date |
| EB-5 unreserved | Rest of World | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-5 unreserved | China / India | 01 Dec 2016 / 01 Dec 2023 | 01 Mar 2021 / 01 May 2024 | Cut-off date |
How to read statuses: A listed date means the category is oversubscribed, and only applicants with a priority date earlier than that date qualify. “C” (Current) means numbers are available to all qualified applicants regardless of priority date. “U” (Unavailable) means numbers are not authorized. These are not interchangeable.
Final Action Dates vs. Dates for Filing
The bulletin has two charts for each group:
The Department of State and USCIS do not treat the charts identically. For adjustment of status (applying for a green card from inside the U.S.), USCIS announces each month which chart to use, and the Department of State notes that applicants must use Final Action Dates unless USCIS says otherwise. For October 2026, USCIS directed applicants in family-sponsored and employment-based categories to use Dates for Filing, according to AILA’s copy of the USCIS notice. USCIS picks again every month, so check its adjustment of status filing charts before filing. Consular processing applicants abroad follow NVC and embassy instructions.
Family-Sponsored US Visa Bulletin Categories
Waiting times and cut-off dates differ by category and chargeability area. For F2A, the October bulletin adds a nuance: some numbers are exempt from the per-country limit, so check the bulletin’s F2A note, especially for Mexico.
Employment-Based US Visa Bulletin Categories
Not every category needs a labor certification or follows the same process. Check the requirements for your own category. The bulletin also notes that the Certain Religious Workers category was extended through December 11, 2026.
US Visa Bulletin by Country
The country that matters is your country of chargeability, which is generally your country of birth, not automatically your citizenship, current residence, or passport. Cross-chargeability through a spouse may be possible in qualifying circumstances.
Also separate three situations: consular processing from abroad, adjustment of status inside the U.S., and whether your case is family-sponsored or employment-based.
How to Check Your US Visa Bulletin Priority Date
Hypothetical example: An EB-2 applicant born in a Rest of World country with a priority date of 15 Dec 2024 is earlier than the 01 Jan 2025 Final Action Date. Whether that person may file or be approved still depends on the chart that applies and other requirements.
What Happens When Your Priority Date Becomes Current?
A current date generally means a visa number may be available, so the next step in processing can move forward. It does not mean your green card is approved, an interview is scheduled, or other requirements are met. Consular applicants usually need NVC documents completed and an interview. Adjustment applicants must still be eligible, and USCIS must approve the I-485.
Why Do US Visa Bulletin Dates Move Backward or Forward?
Dates change because of annual limits, demand, and category-specific rules. Family-sponsored preference has a minimum annual limit of 226,000, employment-based has at least 140,000, and no single country may receive more than 7% of the total. When demand exceeds supply, dates retrogress, which means they move backward. The Department of State notes that the October 2026 bulletin includes employment-based retrogression for some Rest of World categories. Predictions from attorneys or websites are estimates, not official guidance, and the Department of State does not guarantee future movement.
Frequently Asked Questions About US Visa Bulletin
Final Thoughts
To use the US Visa Bulletin well, identify your category, find your country of chargeability, and compare your priority date with the correct chart. Remember that Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing serve different purposes, and that USCIS may choose a different chart each month. Check the bulletin monthly, because dates and instructions can change, and rely on official government sources for your next step. You can also review the Department of State’s visa statistics for background.
