EB-4 visa bulletin: October 2026 dates by country

Certain special immigrants, such as religious workers, special immigrant juveniles (SIJS) and certain employees of international organizations.

EB-4 · October 2026
Country	Final action	Filing
All other countries	December 15, 202215DEC22 No change	January 1, 202501JAN25
China (mainland-born)	December 15, 202215DEC22 No change	January 1, 202501JAN25
India	December 15, 202215DEC22 No change	January 1, 202501JAN25
Mexico	December 15, 202215DEC22 No change	January 1, 202501JAN25
Philippines	December 15, 202215DEC22 No change	January 1, 202501JAN25

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.

History and “when will it be my turn?”

EB-4 (all countries)History since 2001 and priority date checker

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

Visa bulletin for October 2026

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.

Extension of the Employment Fourth Religious Workers (SR) Category

Visa bulletin for October 2026

H.R. 6500, signed on September 2, 2026, extends the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category through December 11, 2026. The SR category is subject to the same dates for filing and final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability.

Annual limit

7.1% of the employment-based limit.

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.