The U.S. Department of State has released the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the first bulletin of fiscal year 2027. This month, several employment-based green card dates changed. Most notably, EB-2, including the EB-2 NIW, moved back for most countries. At the same time, EB-1, including EB-1A, stayed current for those countries, while India and China moved forward. In addition, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says applicants inside the U.S. must use the Dates for Filing chart to apply for a green card in October. Below, we explain what changed by country and how it affects your situation.
What changed in the October 2026 Visa Bulletin
EB-2, including the EB-2 NIW, moved back for most countries. This affects people born in the UK, France, Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines and every other country except China and India. In September, any priority date qualified. For EB-2 NIW, the priority date is the date your I-140 petition was filed. In October, however, two cutoffs apply:
- A green card can be approved only if your priority date is before January 1, 2025.
- You can apply only if your priority date is before March 15, 2026.
According to the Department of State, the reason is the annual limit: some employment-based categories for most countries had to move back to stay within fiscal year 2027 quarterly and annual limits.
By contrast, EB-1, including EB-1A, did not change for most countries. In other words, any priority date still qualifies, both to apply and to be approved.
India moved forward
- EB-1: approvals now reach priority dates before February 1, 2023, up from October 15, 2022. Applications now open to priority dates before July 1, 2024, up from December 1, 2023.
- EB-2: approvals were unavailable in September and now reach priority dates before November 1, 2013. The application date stays at January 15, 2015.
China moved forward, mostly for applications.
- EB-1: applications now open to priority dates before July 1, 2024, up from December 1, 2023. The approval date stays at July 1, 2023.
- EB-2: applications now open to priority dates before January 1, 2023, up from January 1, 2022. Approvals moved one month, to October 1, 2021.
Who it affects
Keep in mind that, in every case below, the date is only one requirement. You still need to meet all the others.
EB-2 or EB-2 NIW, born outside China and India: If your green card application (Form I-485) is pending and your priority date is January 1, 2025 or later, it cannot be approved this month. Instead, it stays pending until your priority date is earlier than the approval date. On the other hand, if you are in the U.S. and have not applied yet, you can apply in October only if your priority date is before March 15, 2026.
Deciding between EB-1A and EB-2 NIW: Both let you apply for yourself, without an employer. For most countries, EB-1A has no date limit this month. EB-2 NIW does: a petition filed now gets an October 2026 priority date, which is after March 15, 2026. The two categories have different requirements, so the bulletin alone does not decide which one fits you.
Born in India or China: Your dates moved forward, as listed above. For India, EB-2 approvals are still more than nine years behind EB-1.
Living outside the U.S. The same dates apply. When your priority date is before the application date, the National Visa Center can send you instructions to submit your documents. When it is before the approval date, the consulate can issue your immigrant visa.
FAQ
Does retrogression change my priority date?
No. Your priority date stays the same. Retrogression moves the date your priority date needs to be before. If your green card application is pending, it cannot be approved until your priority date is earlier than the approval date.
Will dates move in the coming months?
The October 2026 bulletin does not include a forecast. The Department of State says it is monitoring the situation and may adjust dates.
What is the EB-2 date for India in October 2026?
For people born in India, an EB-2 green card can be approved only if the priority date is before November 1, 2013. Applications are open to priority dates before January 15, 2015. In September, EB-2 approvals for India were unavailable.
How does the October 2026 Visa Bulletin affect EB-2 applicants from Mexico?
Mexico has the same EB-2 dates as most countries. A green card can be approved only with a priority date before January 1, 2025, and you can apply only with one before March 15, 2026.
What to do
For founders and executives, october changes the timing. EB-1A and EB-2 NIW both let you apply without an employer. This month, they also differ in when you can file for a green card from inside the U.S. The two categories have different requirements, so the visa bulletin alone does not decide which one fits you. If you already have a case, talk to your attorney. If you are still deciding, the first step is to look at your profile.
* This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Jumpstart Immigration is not a law firm. Legal services are provided by independent licensed attorneys.
