September Visa Bulletin: EB-1 India Faces More Uncertainty
The September Visa Bulletin keeps EB-1 India at October 15, 2022, while EB-2 India remains unavailable and the State Department warns of possible EB-1 visa exhaustion.
The US Department of State has released the September Visa Bulletin, the final bulletin of Fiscal Year 2026. While several employment-based categories remain unchanged, EB-1 India faces a risk of becoming unavailable before September 30 if demand exhausts the remaining visa numbers.
EB-1 India Remains at October 15, 2022
The EB-1 India priority date remains October 15, 2022, unchanged from August. However, the State Department has warned that high demand and continued visa use could make EB-1 India unavailable in the coming weeks if India's FY2026 allocation is reached before the fiscal year ends.
For Indian professionals tracking their EB1 priority date for India, this creates additional uncertainty around when their cases can receive final approval.
EB-2 India Remains Unavailable
EB-2 India remains Unavailable (U) in September after reaching its FY2026 annual limit. EB-3 India also remains heavily backlogged, with its Final Action Date at January 1, 2014.
These dates remain important for Indian professionals seeking US permanent residency, particularly those waiting through employment-based categories.
Dates for Filing: EB-1 India at December 1, 2023
The Dates for Filing chart for September places EB-1 India at December 1, 2023. EB-2 India and EB-3 India both remain at January 15, 2015.
This means applicants with an EB-1 India priority date earlier than December 1, 2023 may be able to proceed with filing if USCIS authorizes use of the Dates for Filing chart for adjustment of status. The State Department specifically directs applicants to USCIS for confirmation of which chart may be used.
What This Means for Indian Applicants
September is particularly significant because it is the final month of FY2026, which ends on September 30, 2026. If EB-1 India reaches its annual limit, the category could become unavailable before the fiscal year ends.
For applicants pursuing a United States Green Card, the latest bulletin reinforces the need to track both the EB1 Green Card timeline and visa availability. Green Card processing time cannot be determined by priority date alone, as final approval also depends on visa availability and the applicable filing chart.
Applicants should continue monitoring the Visa Bulletin and USCIS guidance closely as the fiscal year approaches its end.
Stay connected with Smart Immigrant for more updates on US immigration and policy changes.
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