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The September 2026 Visa Bulletin has been released, giving family-sponsored and employment-based green card applicants the latest information on when they may move forward with their cases. The bulletin covers the final month of fiscal year 2026 and includes a warning that some employment-based categories could face tighter limits before September 30.

The categories facing the greatest uncertainty are EB-1 India, EB-2 and unreserved EB-5. The U.S. Department of State said visa availability could change if annual fiscal-year limits are reached. Applicants in those categories should monitor official updates closely rather than assuming the published dates will remain unchanged throughout September.

September 2026 Visa Bulletin: Which Chart Applies?

The bulletin includes two important charts. The Final Action Dates chart shows when a visa number may be issued and a permanent residence case may be approved. The Dates for Filing chart may allow eligible applicants to submit supporting documents earlier, even if a visa number is not immediately available.

However, adjustment-of-status applicants inside the United States must follow the chart selected by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for September. As of August 22, USCIS had not yet announced whether applicants could use the Dates for Filing chart or would be required to follow Final Action Dates.

In either chart, an applicant’s priority date must be earlier than the listed cutoff date. A category marked “Current” has no cutoff, while “Unavailable” means visa numbers are not authorized for issuance in that category.

Important Family-Based Green Card Dates

The F2A category remains one of the most favorable family-sponsored classifications. It covers spouses and children of lawful permanent residents.

F2A final action date: August 22, 2026, for most countries, including China, India and the Philippines.
F2A final action date for Mexico: August 22, 2025.
F2A Dates for Filing: Current worldwide, subject to USCIS authorization.

Other family-sponsored final-action dates are considerably older. For most countries, F1, covering unmarried adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, is at January 22, 2020. F2B, for unmarried adult sons and daughters of permanent residents, is at August 22, 2019.

The F3 category, covering married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, has a final-action date of October 22, 2014. F4, for siblings of adult U.S. citizens, is at October 22, 2011. Mexico, India and the Philippines have separate dates in several categories because of country-specific demand.

Employment-Based Categories Face Critical Pressure

Employment-based applicants see a mixed picture in the September 2026 Visa Bulletin. EB-1 remains current for most countries, but China has a final-action date of July 1, 2023, and India is at October 15, 2022.

EB-2 is current for most countries. China’s final-action date is September 1, 2021, while EB-2 India is listed as Unavailable.

For EB-3 skilled workers and professionals, the final-action dates are:

September 1, 2024, for most countries and Mexico.
January 1, 2022, for China.
January 1, 2014, for India.
August 1, 2023, for the Philippines.

In the unreserved EB-5 investor category, most countries remain current. China has a final-action date of December 1, 2016, while India is unavailable. The three EB-5 set-aside categories—rural, high-unemployment-area and infrastructure investments—remain current for all listed countries.

Urgent Warning Before the Fiscal Year Ends

The State Department warned that high demand could cause EB-1 India to become unavailable before the end of fiscal year 2026. It also said EB-2 and unreserved EB-5 dates could move backward, a process known as retrogression, or become temporarily unavailable if visa use reaches annual limits.

The department said it had advanced some dates in recent months after visa issuance declined for nationals of certain countries because of administration actions affecting processing. Officials cautioned that those advances could be reversed if demand increases.

Applicants should check the September 2026 Visa Bulletin together with USCIS’s filing-chart announcement before submitting an adjustment-of-status application. Those in EB-1 India, EB-2 and unreserved EB-5 should pay particular attention to changes before September 30.

FAQs About the September 2026 Visa Bulletin

What is the September 2026 Visa Bulletin?

It is the State Department’s monthly update showing when family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visa applicants may proceed with their green card cases.

Can adjustment-of-status applicants use Dates for Filing?

Only if USCIS authorizes that chart for September. Otherwise, applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart.

What does “Unavailable” mean?

It means immigrant visa numbers are not currently authorized for issuance in that category.

Which categories face the biggest risk of retrogression?

EB-1 India, EB-2 and unreserved EB-5 face the clearest warnings before the fiscal year ends on September 30.

Should applicants wait before filing?

Applicants should review their priority dates and confirm USCIS’s September chart selection before filing. Immigration circumstances vary, so professional legal advice may be helpful.