September 2026 Visa Bulletin: What Changed
At a glance
- Family: F3 approval date (from the official Final Action Dates chart) for most countries advances 2 years 5 months.
- Work-based: EB-4 approval date for most countries advances 2 months.
- Biggest change: F3 approval date for most countries advances 2 years 5 months (May 15, 2012 to Oct 22, 2014).
- Which date to use: Family: the filing date (from the official Dates for Filing chart). Work-based: the approval date.
Read Q&A audio transcript
The two charts
Host: The September 2026 bulletin has two charts. How do we cover them?
Analyst: Each part gives the Final Action Dates first, then the Dates for Filing. The Final Action Dates are the approval dates, and the Dates for Filing are the filing dates. The page shows which chart USCIS says to use for work visas and for families.
Work & India/China
Host: Let's start with work visas. What's happening for India and China?
Analyst: Final Action Dates. EB-2 India is paused. EB-2 China is at September 1, 2021, unchanged. EB-3 India is at January 1, 2014, unchanged. EB-3 China is at January 1, 2022, unchanged. Dates for Filing. EB-2 India is at January 15, 2015, unchanged. EB-2 China is at January 1, 2022, unchanged. EB-3 India is at January 15, 2015, unchanged. EB-3 China is at January 8, 2022, unchanged.
Host: Which other work-visa dates moved the most?
Analyst: Final Action Dates. EB-4 for most countries moved ahead 2 months, to December 15, 2022; EB-4 Religious Workers for most countries moved ahead 2 months, to December 15, 2022. Dates for Filing. Nothing else moved. EB-5 India remains paused.
Family
Host: Now families. Which dates moved the most?
Analyst: Final Action Dates. F3 for most countries moved ahead 2 years 5 months, to October 22, 2014; F4 for most countries moved ahead 2 years 2 months, to October 22, 2011; F2B for most countries moved ahead 20 months, to August 22, 2019; F1 for most countries moved ahead 13 months, to January 22, 2020. The rest moved less. Dates for Filing. F3 for most countries moved ahead 20 months, to November 1, 2014; F4 for most countries moved ahead 16 months, to November 1, 2011; F1 for most countries moved ahead 8 months, to February 1, 2020; F2B for most countries moved ahead 8 months, to September 1, 2019. China matched most countries.
Outlook
Host: What should people watch for next?
Analyst: The bulletin didn't say what to expect next. October starts a new fiscal year, when yearly limits reset, so dates can jump or drop. This is general information, not legal advice.
Family green cards
The short version: F3 approval date (from the official Final Action Dates chart) for most countries advances 2 years 5 months (May 15, 2012 to Oct 22, 2014).
Which date do you check this month?
- Inside the U.S.: Use the filing date (from the official Dates for Filing chart) this month. (Outside the U.S.: use the filing date to submit documents and the approval date (from the official Final Action Dates chart) for visa issuance.)
- Your date: Check your Form I-130 receipt date. If it is earlier than the cutoff shown below, you can move forward.
This month at a glance
| Category | Who it's for | Approval date (Final Action) | Filing date (Dates for Filing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Unmarried children (21+) of U.S. citizens | Jan 22, 2020 (13 months ahead) | Feb 1, 2020 (8 months ahead) |
| F2A | Spouses and kids (under 21) of green card holders | Aug 22, 2026 (1 month ahead) | C |
| F2B | Unmarried children (21+) of green card holders | Aug 22, 2019 (20 months ahead) | Sep 1, 2019 (8 months ahead) |
| F3 | Married children of U.S. citizens | Oct 22, 2014 (2 years 5 months ahead) | Nov 1, 2014 (20 months ahead) |
| F4 | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens | Oct 22, 2011 (2 years 2 months ahead) | Nov 1, 2011 (16 months ahead) |
These are the dates for most countries. India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines can have their own dates.
| Category | Who it's for | Approval date (Final Action) | Filing date (Dates for Filing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Unmarried children (21+) of U.S. citizens | Jan 22, 2020 (13 months ahead) | Feb 1, 2020 (8 months ahead) |
| F2A | Spouses and kids (under 21) of green card holders | Aug 22, 2026 (1 month ahead) | C |
| F2B | Unmarried children (21+) of green card holders | Aug 22, 2019 (20 months ahead) | Sep 1, 2019 (8 months ahead) |
| F3 | Married children of U.S. citizens | Oct 22, 2014 (2 years 5 months ahead) | Nov 1, 2014 (20 months ahead) |
| F4 | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens | Nov 1, 2006 | Dec 15, 2006 |
Dates for people born in India. Where India has no date of its own, the most-countries date applies.
| Category | Who it's for | Approval date (Final Action) | Filing date (Dates for Filing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Unmarried children (21+) of U.S. citizens | Jan 22, 2020 (13 months ahead) | Feb 1, 2020 (8 months ahead) |
| F2A | Spouses and kids (under 21) of green card holders | Aug 22, 2026 (1 month ahead) | C |
| F2B | Unmarried children (21+) of green card holders | Aug 22, 2019 (20 months ahead) | Sep 1, 2019 (8 months ahead) |
| F3 | Married children of U.S. citizens | Oct 22, 2014 (2 years 5 months ahead) | Nov 1, 2014 (20 months ahead) |
| F4 | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens | Oct 22, 2011 (2 years 2 months ahead) | Nov 1, 2011 (16 months ahead) |
Dates for people born in China. Where China has no date of its own, the most-countries date applies.
| Category | Who it's for | Approval date (Final Action) | Filing date (Dates for Filing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Unmarried children (21+) of U.S. citizens | Jan 1, 2008 (1 month ahead) | Dec 1, 2008 |
| F2A | Spouses and kids (under 21) of green card holders | Aug 22, 2025 (1 month ahead) | C |
| F2B | Unmarried children (21+) of green card holders | Feb 15, 2009 | May 15, 2010 |
| F3 | Married children of U.S. citizens | Jul 1, 2001 | Jul 15, 2001 |
| F4 | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens | Apr 8, 2001 | Apr 30, 2001 |
Dates for people born in Mexico. Where Mexico has no date of its own, the most-countries date applies.
| Category | Who it's for | Approval date (Final Action) | Filing date (Dates for Filing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Unmarried children (21+) of U.S. citizens | May 1, 2013 | Apr 22, 2015 |
| F2A | Spouses and kids (under 21) of green card holders | Aug 22, 2026 (1 month ahead) | C |
| F2B | Unmarried children (21+) of green card holders | Jun 1, 2013 | Oct 1, 2013 |
| F3 | Married children of U.S. citizens | Feb 22, 2006 | Aug 8, 2006 |
| F4 | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens | Aug 22, 2007 (3 weeks ahead) | Mar 22, 2008 |
Dates for people born in the Philippines. Where the Philippines has no date of its own, the most-countries date applies.
Unmarked dates are unchanged from last month.
C = Current. U = Unavailable.
Country differences
- Mexico:
- F1: Approval date (from the official Final Action Dates chart): Dec 1, 2007 to Jan 1, 2008 (1 month ahead) | Filing date (from the official Dates for Filing chart): Dec 1, 2008
- F2A: Approval date: Jul 22, 2025 to Aug 22, 2025 (1 month ahead) | Filing date: C
All other Mexico categories held steady (select Mexico in the table above to view dates).
- Philippines:
- F4: Approval date: Aug 1, 2007 to Aug 22, 2007 (3 weeks ahead) | Filing date: Mar 22, 2008
All other Philippines categories held steady or match most countries (select Philippines in the table above to view dates).
- India:
Country-specific cutoffs held steady this month (select India in the table above for all dates).
- China: Same as most countries this month.
What this means for you
- If your date moved ahead: Check whether your receipt-notice date is now earlier than the new cutoff.
- If nothing moved: No change this month for your category.
The State Department did not include additional commentary or forward projections for this section in the September 2026 bulletin.
Viewing Family only · Show Work-based green cards · Show both
Work-based green cards
The short version: EB-4 approval date (from the official Final Action Dates chart) for most countries advances 2 months (Oct 15, 2022 to Dec 15, 2022).
Which date do you check this month?
- Inside the U.S.: Use the approval date (from the official Final Action Dates chart) this month. (Outside the U.S.: use the filing date (from the official Dates for Filing chart) to submit documents and the approval date for visa issuance.)
- Your date: Check your PERM or Form I-140 date. If it is earlier than the cutoff shown below, you can move forward.
India and China cutoffs
Approval date (from the official Final Action Dates chart) and filing date (from the official Dates for Filing chart) for each category.
| Category | India | China |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Approval: Oct 15, 2022; Filing: Dec 1, 2023 | Approval: Jul 1, 2023; Filing: Dec 1, 2023 |
| EB-2 | Approval: U; Filing: Jan 15, 2015 | Approval: Sep 1, 2021; Filing: Jan 1, 2022 |
| EB-3 | Approval: Jan 1, 2014; Filing: Jan 15, 2015 | Approval: Jan 1, 2022; Filing: Jan 8, 2022 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Approval: Jan 1, 2014; Filing: Jan 15, 2015 | Approval: May 1, 2019; Filing: Oct 1, 2019 |
| EB-5 | Approval: U; Filing: May 1, 2024 | Approval: Dec 1, 2016; Filing: Mar 1, 2017 |
C = Current. U = Unavailable.
This month at a glance
| Category | Who it's for | Approval date (Final Action) | Filing date (Dates for Filing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Top talent, researchers, and executives | C | C |
| EB-2 | Advanced degrees or exceptional ability | C | C |
| EB-3 | Skilled workers and professionals | Sep 1, 2024 | C |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Jobs needing under 2 years of training | Apr 1, 2022 | Aug 1, 2022 |
| EB-4 | Special groups, including religious ministers | Dec 15, 2022 (2 months ahead) | Jan 1, 2023 |
| EB-4 Religious Workers | Religious workers who aren't ministers | Dec 15, 2022 (2 months ahead) | Jan 1, 2023 |
| EB-5 | Investors | C | C |
These are the dates for most countries. India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines can have their own dates.
| Category | Who it's for | Approval date (Final Action) | Filing date (Dates for Filing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Top talent, researchers, and executives | Oct 15, 2022 | Dec 1, 2023 |
| EB-2 | Advanced degrees or exceptional ability | U | Jan 15, 2015 |
| EB-3 | Skilled workers and professionals | Jan 1, 2014 | Jan 15, 2015 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Jobs needing under 2 years of training | Jan 1, 2014 | Jan 15, 2015 |
| EB-4 | Special groups, including religious ministers | Dec 15, 2022 (2 months ahead) | Jan 1, 2023 |
| EB-4 Religious Workers | Religious workers who aren't ministers | Dec 15, 2022 (2 months ahead) | Jan 1, 2023 |
| EB-5 | Investors | U | May 1, 2024 |
Dates for people born in India. Where India has no date of its own, the most-countries date applies.
| Category | Who it's for | Approval date (Final Action) | Filing date (Dates for Filing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Top talent, researchers, and executives | Jul 1, 2023 | Dec 1, 2023 |
| EB-2 | Advanced degrees or exceptional ability | Sep 1, 2021 | Jan 1, 2022 |
| EB-3 | Skilled workers and professionals | Jan 1, 2022 | Jan 8, 2022 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Jobs needing under 2 years of training | May 1, 2019 | Oct 1, 2019 |
| EB-4 | Special groups, including religious ministers | Dec 15, 2022 (2 months ahead) | Jan 1, 2023 |
| EB-4 Religious Workers | Religious workers who aren't ministers | Dec 15, 2022 (2 months ahead) | Jan 1, 2023 |
| EB-5 | Investors | Dec 1, 2016 | Mar 1, 2017 |
Dates for people born in China. Where China has no date of its own, the most-countries date applies.
| Category | Who it's for | Approval date (Final Action) | Filing date (Dates for Filing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Top talent, researchers, and executives | C | C |
| EB-2 | Advanced degrees or exceptional ability | C | C |
| EB-3 | Skilled workers and professionals | Sep 1, 2024 | C |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Jobs needing under 2 years of training | Apr 1, 2022 | Aug 1, 2022 |
| EB-4 | Special groups, including religious ministers | Dec 15, 2022 (2 months ahead) | Jan 1, 2023 |
| EB-4 Religious Workers | Religious workers who aren't ministers | Dec 15, 2022 (2 months ahead) | Jan 1, 2023 |
| EB-5 | Investors | C | C |
Dates for people born in Mexico. Where Mexico has no date of its own, the most-countries date applies.
| Category | Who it's for | Approval date (Final Action) | Filing date (Dates for Filing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Top talent, researchers, and executives | C | C |
| EB-2 | Advanced degrees or exceptional ability | C | C |
| EB-3 | Skilled workers and professionals | Aug 1, 2023 | Jan 1, 2024 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Jobs needing under 2 years of training | Dec 1, 2021 | Aug 1, 2022 |
| EB-4 | Special groups, including religious ministers | Dec 15, 2022 (2 months ahead) | Jan 1, 2023 |
| EB-4 Religious Workers | Religious workers who aren't ministers | Dec 15, 2022 (2 months ahead) | Jan 1, 2023 |
| EB-5 | Investors | C | C |
Dates for people born in the Philippines. Where the Philippines has no date of its own, the most-countries date applies.
Unmarked dates are unchanged from last month.
C = Current. U = Unavailable.
Country differences
- India:
Country-specific cutoffs held steady (see the India and China table above for cutoff dates).
- China:
Country-specific cutoffs held steady (see the India and China table above for cutoff dates).
- Mexico: Same as most countries this month.
- Philippines:
Country-specific cutoffs held steady this month (select Philippines in the table above for all dates).
Investors (EB-5)
The rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure set-asides are still open to everyone. The main EB-5 date for China held at Dec 1, 2016. The main EB-5 date for India is still paused.
What this means for you
- If your date moved ahead: Check whether your date is now earlier than the new cutoff. If it is, talk to your attorney or your employer's attorney.
- If nothing moved: No change this month for your category.
The State Department did not include additional commentary or forward projections for this section in the September 2026 bulletin.
Viewing Work-based only · Show Family green cards · Show both
What to do now
- Check your date to see where you stand in your category.
- If you can move forward, talk to an immigration attorney, or your employer's attorney, about your next step.
- Get an email when the next bulletin posts: sign up for the digest.