October 2026 Visa Bulletin: What Changed for India, China, and the Rest of World
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin retrogresses Rest of World EB-2, reopens India EB-2 filing, and moves China forward. See the new EB-1 and EB-2 dates by country.
USCIS will use “Dates for Filing” for employment-based I-485s in October, reopening filing for India EB-2 and moving China forward, while Rest of World EB-2 retrogresses.
The Department of State has published the Visa Bulletin for October 2026, the first month of fiscal year 2027. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says employment-based applicants must use the “Dates for Filing” chart to decide when they may file Form I-485. In September, those applicants had to use the Final Action Dates chart.
How does this affect applicants from India, China, and the Rest of World?
India. EB-2 was Unavailable on September’s filing chart, so those applicants could not file. In October, they may file if their priority date is earlier than January 15, 2015. EB-1 filing moves to July 1, 2024. Final Action for India EB-2 is November 1, 2013. EB-1 Final Action is February 1, 2023.
China. EB-1 filing is July 1, 2024. EB-2 filing is January 1, 2023. Final Action is July 1, 2023 for EB-1 and October 1, 2021 for EB-2.
Rest of World. EB-1 stays Current for filing and for Final Action. EB-2, which was Current on both charts in September, has retrogressed. Applicants may still file in October if their priority date is earlier than March 15, 2026. Final Action is January 1, 2025, so only cases with earlier priority dates can be approved in October.
The bulletin says some Rest of World employment-based dates retrogressed to keep issuances within FY 2027 quarterly and annual limits.
Together with the new cutoff dates, the switch changes who can file an EB-1 or EB-2 adjustment, including a national interest waiver.
Here are the October Dates for Filing that USCIS will accept for EB-1 and EB-2. You may file if the chart is current (“C”) or your priority date is earlier than the listed date, and you are otherwise eligible.
| Rest of World, Mexico, Philippines | China (mainland-born) | India | |
| EB-1: can you file? | Current | July 1, 2024 | July 1, 2024 |
| EB-1: Final Action | Current | July 1, 2023 | February 1, 2023 |
| EB-2: can you file? | March 15, 2026 | January 1, 2023 | January 15, 2015 |
| EB-2: Final Action | January 1, 2025 | October 1, 2021 | November 1, 2013 |
What's the difference between “Dates for Filing” and “Final Action Dates”?
USCIS describes “Dates for Filing” as the earliest dates when applicants may be able to apply, and “Final Action Dates” as the dates when visas may finally be issued. Being able to file does not mean a green card can be approved yet.
Each month, USCIS decides which chart employment-based applicants must use to file Form I-485. It uses "Dates for Filing" when it expects more green cards to be available that fiscal year than there are known applicants waiting for them. Because those dates are usually more generous, this lets more people file sooner. That matters because a pending I-485 lets applicants apply for work authorization and advance parole while they wait for their Final Action date to become current.
USCIS also requires an immigrant visa to be immediately available when Form I-485 is filed and when USCIS makes a final decision. An approved Form I-140 is not enough without that visa availability. See WeGreened’s I-485 filing eligibility chart and NIW FAQ on timing.
Applicants preparing an EB-1A or NIW I-140, or who already have an approved petition and an October filing date, can request a free case evaluation from North America Immigration Law Group (WeGreened).