October 2026 Visa Bulletin: Who's Eligible to File AOS Right Now

The USCIS Visa Bulletin, released monthly by the U.S. Department of State, indicates which Green Card applications are eligible to advance in the process.

Your position in line is determined by your priority date, assigned when you file an immigrant petition or a labor certification if doing the PERM process (Form I-140 or Form I-130). When your priority date becomes “current,” you have reached the front of the line.

Is USCIS using filing dates or final action dates in October 2026?

In October 2026, USCIS says all applicants may use the dates for filing chart, for both employment-based and family-based categories. In September, it used the final action dates chart for employment-based categories and the dates for filing chart for family-based categories.

Track your priority date

Priority dates shift every month. Stay up to date with our live tracking guides:

EB-1 priority date — India EB-2 priority date — India EB-1 priority date — China EB-2 priority date — China Check your priority date →

Visa Bulletin October 2026: Full Breakdown

Employment-Based Green Cards – Final Action Dates

The employment-based Green Card system is divided into five preference categories, each with its own eligibility criteria and cut-off dates. These categories determine when applicants from different countries can move forward in the Green Card process.

The Visa Bulletin includes two separate charts — dates for filing and final action dates. If USCIS determines there are more visas available, filing dates will be used for processing. This means that applicants who are physically present in the U.S. can submit their applications for Adjustment of Status (Green Card) once their priority date is current under the “dates for filing” chart. Otherwise, final action dates are used.

EB-1: Priority Workers (Dates for Filing changes)

The EB-1 category includes individuals of extraordinary ability (EB-1A), outstanding professors and researchers (EB-1B), and multinational executives (EB-1C).

EB-2: Exceptional ability and advanced degree holders (Dates for Filing to Final Action Date changes)

The EB-2 category (including EB-2 NIW) includes exceptional ability and advanced degree holders.

EB-3: Skilled worker, professional, or other worker (Dates for Filing to Final Action Date changes)

The EB-3 visa category is for skilled workers, professionals, or other workers.

Other Workers (Dates for Filing to Final Action Date changes)

EB-4: “Special immigrants” category (Dates for Filing to Final Action Date changes)

The EB-4 category is for special immigrants, including religious workers, certain broadcasters, military members, Iraqi translators, and other specific groups designated by U.S. immigration law.

EB-5: “Investors” category (Dates for Filing to Final Action Date changes)

The EB-5 category is for immigrant investors who make qualifying investments in U.S. businesses that create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for American workers. All the separate set-aside categories are current.

Employment-Based Green Cards - Final Action Dates

EB-1: Priority Workers (Final Action Dates)

EB-2: Exceptional people and advanced degree holders (Final Action Dates)

EB-3: Skilled worker, professional, or other worker (Final Action Dates)

Other Workers

EB-4: “Special immigrants” category (Final Action Dates)

EB-5: “Investors” category (Final Action Dates)

More Visa Bulletin resources:

• Check your priority date with this free tool
• What are filing dates vs. final action dates on the Visa Bulletin?
• What is a priority date?
• Priority date guide and news for EB-1 India, EB-2 India, EB-3 India, and F4 India
• Priority date guide and news for EB-1 China, EB-2 China, and EB-3 China
• Priority date guide for EB-3 Philippines
• Priority date guide for F2A

Employment-Based Green Cards - Dates for Filing

The dates for filing chart allows people who have started the process more recently to adjust their status.

In theory, the filing date is the date you can file your adjustment of status paperwork, Form I-485, to receive your Green Card by your Final Action Date based on USCIS estimates.

EB-1: Priority Workers (Dates for Filing)

The EB-1 category includes individuals of extraordinary ability (EB-1A), outstanding professors and researchers (EB-1B), and multinational executives (EB-1C).

EB-2: Exceptional people and advanced degree holders (Dates for Filing)

The EB-2 category (including EB-2 NIW) includes exceptional people and advanced degree holders.

EB-3: Skilled worker, professional, or other worker (Dates for Filing)

The EB-3 visa category is for skilled workers, professionals, or other workers.

Other Workers (Dates for Filing)

EB-4: “Special immigrants” category (Dates for Filing)

The EB-4 category is for special immigrants, including religious workers, certain broadcasters, military members, Iraqi translators, and other specific groups designated by U.S. immigration law.

EB-5: “Investors” category (Dates for Filing)

The EB-5 category is for immigrant investors who make qualifying investments in U.S. businesses that create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for American workers.

Family-Based Green Cards - Filing Dates

Family-sponsored Green Cards are allocated across four main preference categories, covering unmarried and married children of U.S. citizens, spouses and children of permanent residents, and siblings of U.S. citizens. The Visa Bulletin dates decide when applicants can take the next step toward securing a Green Card. USCIS typically uses Dates for Filing for those inside the U.S. applying for an adjustment of status. Individuals outside the U.S. going through consular processing typically would use Final Action Dates to know when they can file for a Green Card.

F1: Unmarried children (age 21 and older) of U.S. Citizens

F2A: Spouses and unmarried children (under age 21) of U.S. Green Card holders

F2B: Unmarried children (age 21 or older) of Green Card holders

F3: Married Children of U.S. Citizens

F4: Siblings of U.S. Citizens

Family-Based Green Cards - Final Action Dates

F1: Unmarried children (age 21 and older) of U.S. Citizens (Final Action Dates)

F2A: Spouses and unmarried children (under age 21) of U.S. Green Card holders (Final Action Dates)

F2B: Unmarried children (age 21 or older) of Green Card holders (Final Action Dates)

F3: Married Children of U.S. Citizens (Final Action Dates)

F4: Siblings of U.S. Citizens (Final Action Dates)

How the USCIS Visa Bulletin Works

To understand when you can move forward with your Green Card application, you need to know how the Visa Bulletin organizes and tracks your place in line. It does this using key terms like:

• Priority Dates: These dates serve as placeholders in the Green Card queue. The Department of State reviews the number of applications in each category monthly to estimate when applicants can proceed.
• Dates for Filing: If your priority date is on or before the cut-off date for your category, you can move to the next step of your application. USCIS decides the date for filing for each visa category each month.
• Final Action Dates: These dates tell you when you are legally allowed to have a Green Card issued to you. Thus, even if USCIS accepts your adjustment of status application (or the consulate accepts your immigrant visa application) based on the Dates of Filing, they cannot approve the case and issue a Green Card until your priority date is on or before the Final Action Date for your category.

In order to read the visa bulletin chart, you need to know two things:

• Your priority date
• Your preference category

What is my priority date?

Your priority date is the date when USCIS receives your initial immigration petition, such as Form I-130.

Locating your priority date is easy. Simply refer to the receipt notice (Form I-797C) sent by USCIS after they process your petition. You’ll find your priority date at the top section of this document.

What is my preference category?

To find your preference category, you'll need to determine which type of immigration petition you filed. Here are the primary categories:

Employment-Based Preference Categories:

• EB-1: For individuals with extraordinary ability (EB-1A), outstanding professors and researchers (EB-1B), and multinational executives or managers (EB-1C).
• EB-2: For individuals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities, applying for an EB-2 PERM or EB-2 NIW visa.
• EB-3: For skilled workers with at least two years of experience, professionals with a bachelor's degree, and other workers applying for an EB-3 visa.
• EB-4: For special immigrants, such as religious workers, applying for an EB-4 visa.
• EB-5: For individuals making substantial investments in U.S. businesses, applying for an EB-5 visa.

Family-Based Visa Categories:

• F1: Unmarried children over the age of 21 of U.S. citizens.
• F2A: Spouses and unmarried children (under 21 years old) of lawful permanent residents.
• F2B: Unmarried children over the age of 21 of lawful permanent residents.
• F3: Married children of U.S. citizens.
• F4: Siblings of U.S. citizens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the next step if my Green Card priority date is current?

Congrats! Depending on where you're applying from, your next step in the Green Card process is to go through Consular Processing or Adjustment of Status.

Consular Processing: If you're outside the United States, you'll apply for an immigrant visa (green card) through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.

The National Visa Center (NVC) will notify you when the visa becomes available. They'll ask for the immigrant fee, visa application, Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support), and a medical exam. Once you provide these, your case will move to the U.S. embassy or consulate for an interview.

Adjustment of Status: If you're already in the United States, you might qualify for adjustment of status, which means changing from a temporary visa to permanent residency (Green Card).

Certain individuals who entered the U.S. lawfully and meet specific criteria, like immediate relatives or K-1 visa holders who married a U.S. citizen, can adjust status. Others may need to go through consular processing.

How long do I have to file once my priority date is current?

Once your priority date becomes current, you have one year to apply for your immigrant visa.

During this time, it's crucial to start the application process and respond promptly to any messages from the National Visa Center (NVC). If you don't begin the process within this one-year period, you might miss the chance to get your immigrant visa and keep your priority date. You'd then need to reapply for the visa.

Navigate the Green Card process with ease

When your priority date becomes current according to the USCIS visa bulletin, our team of immigration attorneys is here to help. We'll guide you through completing and submitting all the necessary forms, like the I-485, I-765, and I-131, accurately and on time.

We'll also prepare you for any interviews you may need to attend, ensuring you present your case confidently and effectively.

At Manifest Law, our immigration attorneys have over 10 years of experience and have successfully handled thousands of visa and Green Card applications. Plus, we offer flexible payment plans that span up to 6 months, along with a visa-approved or money-back guarantee (terms apply).

Request a visa consultation with Manifest today to get the support and guidance you need on your immigration journey.

Related guides: How Much Does Form I-130 Cost in 2026? Filing Fees and What to Expect, T Visa Processing Time in September 2026: What to Expect.