September 2026 Visa Bulletin: Big Wins for Families, India EB-2 Still Unavailable

📢 The September 2026 Visa Bulletin brings major forward movement in several family-based categories, but most employment-based categories remain frozen. The Department of State released the bulletin on August 22, 2026.

The biggest employment-based concern is that EB-2 India remains unavailable for the rest of fiscal year 2026. EB-5 unreserved India is also unavailable. At the same time, several family-sponsored categories moved forward by more than a year.

This article explains what changed, which chart you should use, and what you should do if your green card priority date is close to the listed cutoff.

What is the Visa Bulletin?

The Visa Bulletin is a monthly government chart that shows how far the green card waiting line has moved for different immigration categories and countries.

The U.S. government limits the number of immigrant visas available each year. When more people qualify for green cards than there are available visa numbers, applicants must wait. Your place in that line is generally based on your priority date.

Your priority date is usually:

• The date USCIS received your properly filed Form I-130 in a family-based case;
• The date USCIS received your Form I-140 in many employment-based cases; or
• The date the Department of Labor received your labor certification application, when labor certification is required.

You compare your priority date with the date listed for your category and country of chargeability (usually your country of birth).

If your priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff date, you may be eligible to take the next step, depending on which chart USCIS allows you to use and whether you meet all other requirements.

Which chart should you use in September 2026?

The Visa Bulletin has two important charts:

• Final Action Dates: Shows when the government may approve a green card or issue an immigrant visa.
• Dates for Filing: Shows when certain applicants may submit their green card applications, even though final approval may come later.

For September 2026, USCIS has issued the following filing instructions:

• Family-based applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart.
• Employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart.

This distinction matters. You should not assume that a date appearing on the Department of State’s chart automatically means you can file Form I-485. Always check the current USCIS filing guidance before submitting an adjustment-of-status application.

You can review the Department of State Visa Bulletin and the USCIS adjustment-of-status filing instructions for September 2026.

What changed for family-based green cards?

Family-based applicants received the most positive news this month. Several categories moved significantly forward in the September 2026 Visa Bulletin.

The listed changes include:

How much did these family categories advance?

Compared with August, the bulletin shows the following movement for the listed countries and regions:

• F3: Advanced approximately 2 years and 5 months, to October 22, 2014.
• F4: Advanced approximately 2 years and 1 month, to October 22, 2011, for worldwide applicants and applicants chargeable to China.
• F2B: Advanced approximately 1 year and 7 months, to August 22, 2019, for worldwide applicants, China, and India.
• F1: Advanced approximately 13 months, to January 22, 2020, for worldwide applicants, China, and India.
• F2A: Advanced 1 month for most countries, to August 22, 2026.

These advances may allow more family-based applicants to move forward. However, your ability to file depends on your country, category, priority date, and the chart USCIS has designated for the month.

Do not wait if you are eligible to file. The fiscal year ends soon, and the government’s available visa numbers can change.

What does “current” mean?

A category marked “C” for current means there is no cutoff date for that category and country during that month. In general, applicants may move forward without waiting for a specific priority date cutoff, as long as they meet the other legal requirements.

“Current” does not mean your case will be approved immediately. You may still need to wait for:

• USCIS processing;
• An interview;
• Security checks;
• Medical examination review;
• Additional evidence requests; or
• Visa interview scheduling through a U.S. consulate.

For family-based adjustment cases, F2A’s movement to August 22, 2026 is especially important. Applicants with qualifying priority dates should review the Dates for Filing chart and USCIS instructions promptly.

What changed for employment-based green cards?

Most employment-based categories did not move in September. The only employment-based advancement was in EB-4, which moved forward by two months for all countries.

EB-4 advances to December 15, 2022

The EB-4 category includes certain special immigrants, including some religious workers and other qualifying applicants.

For September 2026, the EB-4 cutoff date advanced to:

• December 15, 2022, for all countries

This is the only employment-based movement reported for September.

Other employment-based dates remain unchanged

The following employment-based cutoff dates remain at their August levels:

For September, USCIS requires employment-based applicants to use the Final Action Dates chart when deciding whether they may file Form I-485.

Why is EB-2 India unavailable?

EB-2 India is unavailable for the rest of fiscal year 2026. It has been unavailable since August 2026.

“Unavailable” means that the government does not have immigrant visa numbers available for that category during the month. When a category is unavailable:

• A new green card application generally cannot be filed based on that category;
• A pending application generally cannot be approved based on that category; and
• The category may not move forward until new visa numbers become available.

This is different from having a cutoff date in the past. A cutoff date means visa numbers are limited and applicants must have an earlier priority date. Unavailable means no numbers are currently available at all.

The Department of State also warns that EB-1 India, EB-2, and EB-5 unreserved categories may become unavailable before September 30, 2026, depending on demand and the number of remaining visa numbers.

What about EB-5?

The EB-5 category has several separate tracks.

For September 2026:

• EB-5 unreserved India remains unavailable.
• EB-5 unreserved remains current for worldwide applicants.
• EB-5 unreserved China has a cutoff date of December 1, 2016.
• EB-5 set-aside categories remain current for all countries.

The set-aside categories include:

• Rural area projects;
• High-unemployment area projects; and
• Infrastructure projects.

If you are considering an EB-5 investor green card, your eligibility and project circumstances matter in addition to the Visa Bulletin. An investor should review the source of investment funds, project requirements, immigration history, and the applicable category before filing.

What is the bigger picture?

The September bulletin reflects two very different immigration trends.

For family-based immigration, the government advanced several dates substantially. This may help families who have been separated for many years. A move of 13 months, 19 months, or more than two years can make a meaningful difference for a family waiting to reunite.

For employment-based immigration, the picture is much more limited. Most categories are frozen, and some high-demand categories for Indian applicants are unavailable. This shows how annual visa limits, country-based allocations, and high demand can affect otherwise qualified workers and investors.

Fiscal year 2026 ends on September 30, 2026. New annual visa numbers generally become available on October 1, 2026, when fiscal year 2027 begins. Dates may change, sometimes significantly, when a new fiscal year starts.

A date can also retrogress, which means it moves backward. Retrogression can happen when demand is higher than expected or when the government must manage the remaining annual visa numbers.

What should you do now?

Review your case before the fiscal year ends. Consider these steps:

1. Find your priority date. Check your I-797 approval notice, labor certification records, or other case documents.
2. Confirm your category. Make sure you are using the correct family-based or employment-based preference category.
3. Check your country of chargeability. The relevant country is generally your country of birth, not necessarily your citizenship.
4. Use the correct chart. Family-based applicants must use Dates for Filing in September. Employment-based applicants must use Final Action Dates.
5. Gather documents early. Birth certificates, marriage records, employment documents, financial records, and medical examination requirements can take time.
6. Do not assume approval is guaranteed. A current priority date is only one part of the green card process.
7. Get case-specific advice. If your priority date is close to the cutoff, or your category is unavailable, an immigration attorney can help you understand your options.

You can learn more about family-based immigration and employment-based green card options, including the EB-2 National Interest Waiver. We will continue to monitor the Visa Bulletin and keep you updated as the next fiscal year begins.

The information in this article is for general education and is not legal advice. Immigration outcomes depend on the facts of your case, and government policies and cutoff dates can change. Please contact Badmus & Associates to discuss your situation with an immigration attorney.

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