Visa Bulletin

Employment-Based Priority Dates — October 2026

The U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin every month to indicate when immigrant visa numbers are available for adjustment of status (I-485) or consular processing. After your PERM is approved and your I-140 is filed, the priority date on your I-140 must be earlier than the Final Action Date below for your category and country of chargeability.

Bulletin: October 2026 Updated: Sep 29, 2026
📈 Historical Cutoff Date Movement
How priority date cutoffs have moved over the last 24 months
Each line tracks one country's cutoff date. "C" (Current) means no backlog and plots at zero. Hover for the exact cutoff.

Final Action Dates

Your priority date must be earlier than this date for USCIS to approve your I-485 (or for the consulate to issue your immigrant visa). This is the date that actually controls when your green card can be issued.

Dates for Filing

If USCIS announces it accepts the Filing chart for the month, your priority date must be earlier than this date to submit your I-485 application. Filing earlier than Final Action Dates lets you obtain EAD/AP work authorization sooner.

Final Action Dates — Employment-Based
Priority date must be earlier than this date for visa issuance
Category All Other China
mainland born		 India Mexico Philippines
EB-1Priority WorkersCurrentJul 1, 2023Feb 1, 2023CurrentCurrent
EB-2Advanced Degrees / Exceptional AbilityJan 1, 2025Oct 1, 2021Nov 1, 2013Jan 1, 2025Jan 1, 2025
EB-3Skilled Workers / ProfessionalsMay 15, 2024Jan 8, 2022Jan 1, 2014May 15, 2024Aug 15, 2023
EB-3 OtherOther WorkersJan 1, 2022Oct 1, 2019Jan 1, 2014Jan 1, 2022Jan 1, 2022
EB-4Special ImmigrantsDec 15, 2022Dec 15, 2022Dec 15, 2022Dec 15, 2022Dec 15, 2022
EB-4 ReligiousCertain Religious WorkersDec 15, 2022Dec 15, 2022Dec 15, 2022Dec 15, 2022Dec 15, 2022
EB-5Investors — UnreservedCurrentDec 1, 2016Dec 1, 2023CurrentCurrent
EB-5Set Aside — RuralCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
EB-5Set Aside — High UnemploymentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
EB-5Set Aside — InfrastructureCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
C Current — no backlog U Unauthorized — no visas this month
Dates for Filing — Employment-Based
Use only if USCIS accepts the Filing chart for the current month
Category All Other China
mainland born		 India Mexico Philippines
EB-1Priority WorkersCurrentJul 1, 2024Jul 1, 2024CurrentCurrent
EB-2Advanced Degrees / Exceptional AbilityMar 15, 2026Jan 1, 2023Jan 15, 2015Mar 15, 2026Mar 15, 2026
EB-3Skilled Workers / ProfessionalsAug 1, 2024Apr 1, 2024Jan 15, 2015Aug 1, 2024Jan 1, 2024
EB-3 OtherOther WorkersJun 1, 2022Oct 1, 2020Jan 15, 2015Jun 1, 2022Jun 1, 2022
EB-4Special ImmigrantsJan 1, 2025Jan 1, 2025Jan 1, 2025Jan 1, 2025Jan 1, 2025
EB-4 ReligiousCertain Religious WorkersJan 1, 2025Jan 1, 2025Jan 1, 2025Jan 1, 2025Jan 1, 2025
EB-5Investors — UnreservedCurrentMar 1, 2021May 1, 2024CurrentCurrent
EB-5Set Aside — RuralCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
EB-5Set Aside — High UnemploymentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
EB-5Set Aside — InfrastructureCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent
C Current — no backlog U Unauthorized — no visas this month