October 2026 Visa Bulletin: India EB-1, EB-2 and EB-5 changes

The October 2026 Visa Bulletin brings major changes for India as FY 2027 begins, advancing EB-1 and restoring Final Action Dates for EB-2 and EB-5 unreserved while keeping EB-3 unchanged and moving some family-sponsored dates forward.

The U.S. Department of State’s October 2026 Visa Bulletin opens fiscal year 2027 with renewed visa availability and several important changes for applicants chargeable to India. EB-1 advances, while EB-2 and EB-5 unreserved return from being unavailable in September.

India EB-1, EB-2 and EB-5 dates change
Applicants waiting in this category can also read our guide to the EB-1 India green card process and priority dates to understand how EB-1A, EB-1B and EB-1C cases move through the system.

The EB-1 India Final Action Date advances from October 15, 2022, in September to February 1, 2023, in October.

The long wait in this category is explained in our guide to the EB-2 India green card backlog, including why priority dates can advance, retrogress or become unavailable.

EB-2 India, listed as unavailable in September, returns with a Final Action Date of November 1, 2013. EB-3 remains at January 1, 2014, while EB-4 remains at December 15, 2022.

India’s EB-5 unreserved category also returns from unavailable status with a Final Action Date of December 1, 2023. The State Department previously announced that India had exhausted available FY 2026 numbers in both EB-2 and EB-5 unreserved. Those annual limits reset when FY 2027 began on October 1, 2026.

Investors can also review our EB-5 India Visa Bulletin guide for an explanation of unreserved visas and the rural, high-unemployment and infrastructure set-aside categories.

Dates for Filing show additional movement Related: Confused about the two Visa Bulletin charts? Learn the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing and how they affect green card applicants.

Under the employment-based Dates for Filing chart, EB-1 India advances from December 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024. EB-2 and EB-3 remain at January 15, 2015, while EB-5 unreserved remains at May 1, 2024.

Applicants seeking adjustment of status in the United States should not assume these dates automatically authorize filing. USCIS determines which Visa Bulletin chart applicants may use for adjustment-of-status applications each month.

Family-sponsored dates for India

October’s India Final Action Dates are January 22, 2020, for F1; September 22, 2026, for F2A; August 22, 2019, for F2B; October 22, 2014, for F3; and December 15, 2006, for F4.

For a broader explanation of these classifications, see our guide to India family green card categories F1, F2A, F2B, F3 and F4.

Compared with September, F2A advances by one month and F4 moves from November 1, 2006, to December 15, 2006. F1, F2B and F3 remain unchanged.

What Indian green card applicants should watch

The State Department said the availability of FY 2027 immigrant visa numbers allowed Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing to advance across various categories. It also warned that dates may be adjusted as visa demand develops and annual limits are managed.

Applicants should compare their priority date with the applicable State Department chart and confirm USCIS monthly filing guidance before submitting an adjustment-of-status application.

See more: https://www.nripage.com/articles/visa-immigration/2026/10/01/october-2026-visa-bulletin-india-eb-1-eb-2-and-eb-5-changes