The US Visa Bulletin September 2026 pushes several family-sponsored cutoff dates forward by more than a year. Employment-based dates stay largely frozen, and EB-2 for India remains unavailable. It is also the final bulletin of Fiscal Year 2026, which ends on 30 September.
The Visa Bulletin is the monthly bulletin issued by the State Department that indicates whether a visa number is available for an applicant based on the application’s priority date, which is the petition filing date. This bulletin is notable for the State Department’s warning about retrogression in EB-1 for India and EB-2 and Unreserved EB-5.
What Is the US Visa Bulletin September 2026?
This is the State Department’s official list of cutoff dates for family-sponsored and employment-based green cards for September 2026 (Number 18, Volume XI). You can apply for a visa number when your priority date is before the cutoff date for your category and nationality.
The US Visa Bulletin September 2026 contains two tables:
- Final Action Dates: When USCIS can issue a visa or grant a green card.
- Dates for Filing: When applicants can begin filing their application.
USCIS determines which table applicants in the United States must use. For September 2026, USCIS states that family-sponsored applicants use Dates for Filing, while employment-based applicants use Final Action Dates.
Nationality matters because no one country can issue more than 7% of the annual quota of preference visas. China (mainland-born), India, Mexico and the Philippines each have their own columns on the table.
What Changed in the September 2026 Visa Bulletin?
Dates for family classifications changed the most, while employment-based Final Action Dates stayed nearly the same. The table compares the September 2026 Final Action Dates in the US Visa Bulletin with the dates from the August 2026 bulletin.
| Category | Country/Area | August 2026 | September 2026 | Change |
| F1 | Most countries, incl. India | 15 Dec 2018 | 22 Jan 2020 | About 13 months forward |
| F2A | Most countries | 22 Jul 2026 | 22 Aug 2026 | 1 month forward |
| F2B | Most countries | 1 Jan 2018 | 22 Aug 2019 | Almost 20 months forward |
| F3 | Most countries | 15 May 2012 | 22 Oct 2014 | About 29 months forward |
| F4 | Most countries | 1 Sep 2009 | 22 Oct 2011 | Nearly 26 months forward |
| F4 | India | 1 Nov 2006 | 1 Nov 2006 | No change |
| EB-1 | India | 15 Oct 2022 | 15 Oct 2022 | No change |
| EB-2 | India | Unavailable | Unavailable | No change |
| EB-3 | India | 1 Jan 2014 | 1 Jan 2014 | No change |
| EB-4 | All countries | 15 Oct 2022 | 15 Dec 2022 | 2 months forward |
Family-Sponsored Visa Categories in September 2026
Dates for most countries have increased significantly for family-sponsored categories. Since USCIS will use the Dates for Filing chart for the following categories this month, we’re including it here as well.
| Category | Final Action Date | Dates for Filing | Filing-date move since August |
| F1 | 22 Jan 2020 | 1 Feb 2020 | About 7.5 months |
| F2A | 22 Aug 2026 | Current | Already current |
| F2B | 22 Aug 2019 | 1 Sep 2019 | 8 months |
| F3 | 22 Oct 2014 | 1 Nov 2014 | 20 months |
| F4 | 22 Oct 2011 | 1 Nov 2011 | About 16 months |
These columns apply to most countries. India’s F4 dates remained the same.
The more recent petition means the person is within the cutoff line. This does not guarantee visa availability because the applicant must complete all processing steps. The US Visa Bulletin September 2026 notes that issuance rates for some nationalities have decreased due to administrative decisions; thus, dates were advanced to use the available numbers.
Employment-Based Visa Categories in September 2026
For India, EB-1 remains at 15 October 2022 and EB-3 is at 1 January 2014. EB-2 and unreserved EB-5 have no visa dates and EB-4 is now at 15 December 2022 for all countries. All other countries have EB-2 current and EB-3 at 1 September 2024.
The State Department’s FY2026 cap for employment-based immigrant visas is 186,317, in addition to 226,000 for family-sponsored. The per-country limit is 28,862. Since the employment-based cap limit in the August 2026 Visa Bulletin was stated as “at least 140,000”, then the final cap limit is increased by 46,317.
The US Visa Bulletin September 2026 carries three official warnings:
- EB-1 India: may become unavailable “in the coming weeks” if India’s pro-rated limit is reached.
- EB-2 (all countries): the final action date may retrogress or category may become unavailable before the end of the year.
- EB-5 unreserved: the same risk applies.
Compared with the US Visa Bulletin March 2026, EB-1 India is at 15 October 2022 compared to 1 March 2023; EB-2 is unavailable from 15 September 2013; and EB-3 is at 1 January 2014, from 15 November 2013 to 1 January 2014.
US Visa Bulletin August 2026 vs US Visa Bulletin August 2025
Every year, the dates for employment-based visas for India moved marginally, while the family-based dates increased significantly. All the figures mentioned below are Final Action Dates.
| Category | August 2025 | August 2026 | What Changed |
| EB-1 India | 15 Feb 2022 | 15 Oct 2022 | About 8 months forward |
| EB-2 India | 1 Jan 2013 | Unavailable | No numbers authorised |
| EB-3 India | 22 May 2013 | 1 Jan 2014 | About 7 months forward |
| EB-2 Rest of World | 1 Sep 2023 | Current | Fully open |
| F1 (most countries) | 15 Jul 2016 | 15 Dec 2018 | About 29 months forward |
| F3 (most countries) | 1 Aug 2011 | 15 May 2012 | About 9.5 months forward |
Comparing the two fiscal years gives context, not a forecast of future movement.
What were the predictions for US Visa Bulletin August 2026?
The US Visa Bulletin August 2026 predictions included cautionary notes, not forecasts. It stated that EB-1 India may no longer be available in the coming weeks, while EB-2 could regress or become unavailable in the coming months. No authoritative source issued forecasts, so this article does not quote any third-party forecast. The bulletin is reflected in the tables above.
US Visa Bulletin August 2026 Release Date and September Update
US Visa Bulletin August 2026, numbered #17 is dated 15 July 2026, is for August, and its cutoffs are based on demand through that date. Its cutoffs pertain to August. The State Department page does not list a specific publication date, so 15 July is considered the US Visa Bulletin August 2026 release date.
US Visa Bulletin September 2026, numbered #18 is dated 10 August 2026, is based on demand received through that date and applies only in September. The Department of Homeland Security (USCIS) provided the State Department with the required data on 24 July, after which the Department determined the final FY2026 cutoffs.
Separate the following into four distinct entities. The publication date is the date the bulletin is issued, and the effective month is when the dates in the bulletin take effect. The cutoff is the priority-date cutoff, and none of these guarantees visa availability.
What Does the September 2026 Bulletin Mean for International Students?
It does not directly affect F-1 student visas. F-1 is a nonimmigrant visa, while the Visa Bulletin covers immigrant visa numbers for green cards. Cutoff dates do not decide F-1 approval or appointment availability.
Students may meet the bulletin later if an employer or family member sponsors permanent residence. Indian students planning long US careers may follow the employment-based India dates.
For visa appointment disruption, see our reports on US Visa Appointments Paused 2026 and New US Visa Rules 2026.
What Should Applicants Do Next?
- Open the Visa Bulletin issued by the US Government in September 2026.
- Determine which preference category you fall under.
- Check what your chargeability country is.
- Look up your priority date.
- Match it with the appropriate table.
- USCIS advises whether adjustment of status requires a separate table.
- Consult an experienced immigration attorney for individual guidance.
Priority dates fluctuate monthly, and FY 2027 starts from 1 October.
The US Visa Bulletin September 2026 moves forward numerous family preferences, makes EB-2 India unavailable, and warns of possible changes toward year-end. Remember it is only a snapshot, not a commitment. This article is just informational content, not legal advice.
Students still waiting on visa timelines can also start shortlisting student housing USA options through University Living.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the US Visa Bulletin September 2026?
The US Visa Bulletin September 2026 is the monthly chart by the State Department that lists the cut-off dates for immigrant visas through family-sponsoring or employment-based petitions. This is the final bulletin in Fiscal Year 2026. It consists of two charts: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing. Individuals compare their priority dates with the row of the category and country in the chart.
2. What changes are there in the September 2026 Visa Bulletin for India?
For India, EB-1 Final Action Date is still 15 October 2022 while EB-3 is 1 January 2014. EB-2 is not available, just as the unreserved EB-5 category. Meanwhile, EB-4 advanced two months to 15 December 2022 for all countries, including India. The bulletin says EB-1 for India may become unavailable in the coming weeks if India’s prorated cap limit is reached.
3. Is EB-2 India up to date in September 2026?
No. For September 2026, EB-2 India is shown as “U” which means unauthorised numbers cannot be issued to applicants chargeable to India under this category. Same goes for unreserved EB-5 for India. The bulletin further adds that EB-2 for all countries might go into retrogression or becomes unavailable even before the end of the fiscal year.
4. How can I determine if my priority date is valid according to the September 2026 Visa Bulletin?
Your priority date will be mostly the filing date of your petition. In case of labour certification being required, it will be the date when your application was accepted for processing. You need to look for your category and see it along your country column in the chart. In case your date is earlier than the date shown in the bulletin or cell is showing “C”, the chart approves it. In case of filing from within the USA, use the designated USCIS chart.
5. Will the September 2026 Visa Bulletin affect international F-1 students?
No, not directly. The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant student visa and the visa bulletin talks about the immigrant visa numbers for the green card. The students can consult the visa bulletin at a later date if their employer or family members sponsor their residency status.
