EB-3 (all countries): visa bulletin dates for October 2026
Final action date
May 15, 2024
In the bulletin: 15MAY24
▼ Retrogressed 4 months
Date for filing
August 1, 2024
In the bulletin: 01AUG24
▼ No longer current
In October 2026, a visa number is available for EB-3 (all countries) if your priority date is earlier than May 15, 2024. For adjustment of status inside the U.S. in October 2026, USCIS says to use the dates for filing chart for employment-based cases.
Source:Visa Bulletin for October 2026 (U.S. Department of State). Read from the official PDF of this bulletin. · Checked October 14, 2026. Always confirm with the official bulletin and USCIS. Independent site. Not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State, USCIS or any government agency.
Is my priority date current?
It is on your I-797 approval notice (I-130 or I-140). We do not save or send it.
Enter a date to compare it with the October 2026 bulletin.
How far it moved
A year ago (October 2025 bulletin) the final action date for EB-3 (all countries) was April 1, 2023. Now it is May 15, 2024. In 12 months: advanced 1 year, 1 month. The queue is about 2 years, 5 months behind the bulletin month.
What the State Department says
Official notes published with the bulletin, quoted as written. They describe what the State Department expects, not a guarantee.
Availability of Family-Sponsored and Employment-Based Visas for FY 2027
With the availability of FY 2027 immigrant visa numbers, dates for filing and final action dates have advanced across various immigrant visa categories. However, some employment-based visa categories for "Rest of World" countries have retrogressed, and these retrogressions are necessary to keep visa issuances within FY 2027 quarterly and annual limits. This situation is being continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.
Final action dateDate for filingBulletins: October 2016 – October 2026
Full history since December 2001: the October bulletin of each year
October opens each fiscal year, with fresh annual visa limits.
Bulletin
Final action
October 2026
May 15, 2024
October 2025
April 1, 2023
October 2024
November 15, 2022
October 2023
December 1, 2021
October 2022
Current
October 2021
Current
October 2020
Current
October 2019
Current
October 2018
Current
October 2017
Current
October 2016
June 1, 2016
October 2015
August 15, 2015
October 2014
October 1, 2011
October 2013
July 1, 2010
October 2012
October 22, 2006
October 2011
December 8, 2005
October 2010
January 8, 2005
October 2009
June 1, 2002
October 2008
January 1, 2005
October 2007
August 1, 2002
October 2006
May 1, 2002
October 2005
March 1, 2001
October 2004
Current
October 2003
Current
October 2002
Current
Who EB-3 is for
Skilled workers (at least two years of training or experience) and professionals with a bachelor's degree. Annual limit: 28.6% of the employment-based limit, plus any not used by EB-1 and EB-2.
Mexico: same date as all other countries in every bulletin of the last three years, so this page covers them too.
Questions
What is the difference between final action dates and dates for filing?
The final action date is when a visa number can actually be issued or a green card approved: your priority date must be earlier than it. The date for filing is earlier in the process: it says when you can submit documents to the National Visa Center or, in months when USCIS allows it, file Form I-485.
What do “C” and “U” mean?
“C” (current) means visa numbers are available to everyone in the category, whatever the priority date. “U” (unauthorized) means no visa numbers can be issued in that category this month.
When is the next visa bulletin published?
The State Department usually publishes each bulletin around the middle of the previous month. The new fiscal year, with fresh annual limits, starts with the October bulletin.