EB-3 China (mainland-born): visa bulletin dates for October 2026
Final action date
January 8, 2022
In the bulletin: 08JAN22
▲ Advanced 7 days
Date for filing
April 1, 2024
In the bulletin: 01APR24
▲ Advanced 2 years, 3 months
In October 2026, a visa number is available for EB-3 China (mainland-born) if your priority date is earlier than January 8, 2022. 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 China (mainland-born) was March 1, 2021. Now it is January 8, 2022. In 12 months: advanced 10 months. The queue is about 4 years, 9 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 January 2005: the October bulletin of each year
October opens each fiscal year, with fresh annual visa limits.
Bulletin
Final action
October 2026
January 8, 2022
October 2025
March 1, 2021
October 2024
April 1, 2020
October 2023
January 1, 2020
October 2022
June 15, 2018
October 2021
January 8, 2019
October 2020
July 1, 2017
October 2019
November 1, 2015
October 2018
June 1, 2015
October 2017
January 1, 2014
October 2016
January 22, 2013
October 2015
October 15, 2011
October 2014
April 1, 2009
October 2013
July 1, 2010
October 2012
February 8, 2006
October 2011
August 8, 2004
October 2010
November 8, 2003
October 2009
February 22, 2002
October 2008
October 1, 2001
October 2007
September 1, 2001
October 2006
May 1, 2002
October 2005
May 1, 2000
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.
Questions
Why does China (mainland-born) have its own date?
No country can receive more than 7% of the family and employment visas in a year. When demand from China (mainland-born) goes over that limit, the State Department gives it a separate, usually later, cutoff date.
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.