October 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-1 and EB-2 India Dates Move Forward
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin is out, bringing new priority dates for employment-based Green Card categories, including EB-1 and EB-2 India.
October Visa Bulletin: India Dates Move Forward
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin marks the beginning of fiscal year 2027 and brings changes to Green Card priority dates across employment-based categories.
For Indian applicants, the latest employment-based Visa Bulletin shows movement in EB-1 and EB-2, while EB-3 remains unchanged. These dates determine when immigrant visa numbers may become available based on an applicant’s priority date.
The Department of State requires an applicant's priority date to be earlier than the applicable Final Action Date for a visa number to be authorized.
What Changed in the October Visa Bulletin?
The biggest change is the forward movement in EB-1 and EB-2 India compared with September.
- EB-1 India: Moved from October 15, 2022, to February 1, 2023
- EB-2 India: Moved from Unavailable to November 1, 2013
- EB-3 India: Remains unchanged at January 1, 2014
The EB-2 change is particularly notable because the category was unavailable to Indian applicants in September. With the start of FY2027, a new EB-2 India cut-off date has been established.
Did EB-1 India Move Forward?
Yes. The EB-1 India priority date advanced to February 1, 2023, compared with October 15, 2022, in the September bulletin.
EB-1 covers priority workers, including certain applicants who qualify under the EB-1A extraordinary ability category. Applicants should compare their own priority date with the applicable Final Action Date to determine where their case stands.
Did EB-2 India Move Forward?
Yes. The EB-2 India priority date moved from Unavailable in September to November 1, 2013 in October.
Applicants tracking their EB-2 India priority date should also check which Visa Bulletin chart USCIS has designated for adjustment-of-status filings. Depending on USCIS guidance for the month, applicants may need to use either the Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing chart when submitting Form I-485.
What Do October 2026 Priority Dates Mean?
October 2026 priority dates serve as the cut-off points for applicants in oversubscribed employment-based categories. When an applicant's priority date is earlier than the applicable Final Action Date, an immigrant visa number may be available, provided the applicant meets the other requirements.
For Indian employment-based Green Card applicants, the October changes provide a new reference point for determining whether their cases may be ready for the next stage of the immigration process.
However, Visa Bulletin dates can change from month to month. Increased demand can lead to retrogression, meaning a cut-off date may move backward, or a category may become unavailable again.
For the official October 2026 Visa Bulletin and the latest priority-date information, visit the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin.
Stay connected with Smart Immigrant for more updates on U.S. immigration, employment-based Green Card categories, and Visa Bulletin changes.
Read full news here:
