Several India and China employment-based categories move forward as FY2027 begins, while EB-2 and EB-3 Rest of World face new or earlier cutoff dates.
The U.S. Department of State has released the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, marking the start of fiscal year 2027.
The new bulletin brings significant advancement for several India and China employment-based categories, including a nearly 27-month jump in the EB-3 China Dates for Filing. At the same time, several Rest of World categories retrogress, including EB-2, which is no longer current on either chart.
Employment-Based Highlights
India and China
Several India and China categories advance in October:
- EB-1 India and China Dates for Filing: December 1, 2023 → July 1, 2024 (+7 months)
- EB-1 India Final Action Date: October 15, 2022 → February 1, 2023 (+3.5 months)
- EB-2 China Dates for Filing: January 1, 2022 → January 1, 2023 (+1 year)
- EB-2 India Final Action Date: Unavailable → November 1, 2013. This is the same cutoff that applied before the category became unavailable.
- EB-3 China Dates for Filing: January 8, 2022 → April 1, 2024 (+nearly 27 months)
The EB-3 China movement is particularly significant. If USCIS permits employment-based applicants to use the Dates for Filing chart in October, individuals with priority dates before April 1, 2024 could become eligible to file Form I-485, assuming all other eligibility requirements are met.
Rest of World
Several Rest of World categories retrogress in October:
- EB-2 Dates for Filing: Current → March 15, 2026
- EB-2 Final Action Date: Current → January 1, 2025
- EB-3 Dates for Filing: Current → August 1, 2024
- EB-3 Final Action Date: September 1, 2024 → May 15, 2024 (-3.5 months)
- EB-3 Other Workers Final Action Date: April 1, 2022 → January 1, 2022 (-3 months)
- EB-3 Other Workers Dates for Filing: August 1, 2022 → June 1, 2022 (-2 months)
The Rest of World movement is notable because EB-2 had been current on both charts in September, and EB-3 Dates for Filing had also been current.
Which Filing Chart Will USCIS Use in October?
USCIS has not yet confirmed whether employment-based adjustment of status applicants may use the Dates for Filing chart or must use the Final Action Dates chart for October.
USCIS has typically started the fiscal year using the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based cases. If USCIS follows that pattern for October 2026, the advancement in the Dates for Filing chart could create new adjustment of status filing opportunities, particularly for employees in the China categories.
Alma is monitoring the USCIS announcement and will provide an update as soon as the October filing chart is confirmed.
What Employers Should Know
If USCIS permits use of the Dates for Filing chart in October, additional employees may become eligible to file adjustment of status applications.
Employers may need to confirm internal approvals for newly eligible filings and should be prepared for an increase in adjustment of status activity.
Employees approaching a filing window should also be prepared to respond promptly to requests from counsel and provide required civil documents, including birth, marriage, and divorce certificates where applicable.
