WASHINGTON – September 29, 2026: Indian employment-based green card applicants will see several important changes in October as the new U.S. fiscal year begins. The official October 2026 Visa Bulletin confirms that EB-2 India and unreserved EB-5 India will again have available visa numbers after being listed as unavailable in September, while EB-1 India advances significantly.
India employment-based dates for October
The official bulletin lists the following dates for applicants chargeable to India.
| Category | October Final Action Date | October Date for Filing |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 India | February 1, 2023 | July 1, 2024 |
| EB-2 India | November 1, 2013 | January 15, 2015 |
| EB-3 India | January 1, 2014 | January 15, 2015 |
| Other Workers India | January 1, 2014 | January 15, 2015 |
| EB-5 Unreserved India | December 1, 2023 | May 1, 2024 |
| EB-5 Rural | Current | Current |
| EB-5 High Unemployment | Current | Current |
| EB-5 Infrastructure | Current | Current |
EB-1 India moves forward
EB-1 India delivers one of October’s clearest advances. In September, India’s EB-1 Final Action Date was October 15, 2022. In October it moves to February 1, 2023. The Date for Filing moves even further from December 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024, a seven-month advance.
That distinction matters. The Date for Filing can determine when an otherwise eligible applicant may submit an adjustment-of-status application if USCIS authorizes that chart. The Final Action Date governs when a visa number can be used for final approval.
EB-2 India reopens with November 2013 cutoff
EB-2 India had been marked “U” or unavailable, in September, meaning numbers were not authorized for issuance in that category. With FY2027 immigrant visa numbers becoming available, October establishes an EB-2 India Final Action Date of November 1, 2013. Its Date for Filing is January 15, 2015.
EB-3 India remains unchanged on Final Action
EB-3 India sees less movement. The Final Action Date remains January 1, 2014, the same date listed for September. The October Date for Filing is January 15, 2015. That means applicants should not treat the broader fiscal-year reset as an across-the-board advancement for every Indian employment category.
EB-5 India returns after being unavailable
There is also a major reset for Indian investors. Unreserved EB-5 India was unavailable in September. The October bulletin restores availability with a December 1, 2023 Final Action Date. Its Date for Filing remains May 1, 2024.
Why October changed the picture
The State Department specifically explains that the arrival of FY2027 immigrant visa numbers has allowed filing and Final Action dates to advance across several categories. It also warns that dates can be adjusted as demand develops in order to remain within quarterly and annual numerical limits. That warning is important for Indian applicants: an October advance does not guarantee that a cutoff will continue moving forward every month. Applicants should therefore check the Visa Bulletin and USCIS filing-chart selection each month rather than assuming an October filing opportunity will remain unchanged.
What Indian applicants should do now
Applicants should identify their priority date, preference category and country of chargeability, then compare those details with the appropriate October chart.
Those seeking adjustment of status inside the United States should separately confirm the chart USCIS authorizes for October before filing Form I-485. USCIS guidance explains that a priority date generally must be earlier than the applicable cutoff date, unless the category is marked Current, and applicants must still be otherwise eligible to file.
Official October 2026 Visa Bulletin – U.S. Department of State
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