EB-4 (all countries): visa bulletin dates for October 2026

Final action date
December 15, 2022
In the bulletin: 15DEC22
No change
Date for filing
January 1, 2025
In the bulletin: 01JAN25
Advanced 2 years

In October 2026, a visa number is available for EB-4 (all countries) if your priority date is earlier than December 15, 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-4 (all countries) was July 1, 2020. Now it is December 15, 2022. In 12 months: advanced 2 years, 5 months. The queue is about 3 years, 10 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

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.

EB-4 (all countries): final action date and date for filing in each bulletin2017201920212023202520172019202120232025
Final action dateDate for filingBulletins: October 2016 – October 2026

Last 24 bulletins

BulletinFinal actionFiling
October 2026December 15, 202215DEC22 No changeJanuary 1, 202501JAN25
September 2026December 15, 202215DEC22 Advanced 2 monthsJanuary 1, 202301JAN23
August 2026October 15, 202215OCT22 Advanced 1 monthJanuary 1, 202301JAN23
July 2026September 15, 202215SEP22 Advanced 2 monthsJanuary 1, 202301JAN23
June 2026July 15, 202215JUL22 No changeJanuary 1, 202301JAN23
May 2026July 15, 202215JUL22 No changeJanuary 1, 202301JAN23
April 2026July 15, 202215JUL22 Advanced 1 yearJanuary 1, 202301JAN23
March 2026July 15, 202115JUL21 Advanced 6 monthsJanuary 1, 202301JAN23
February 2026January 1, 202101JAN21 No changeMarch 15, 202115MAR21
January 2026January 1, 202101JAN21 Advanced 4 monthsMarch 15, 202115MAR21
December 2025September 1, 202001SEP20 Advanced 2 monthsFebruary 15, 202115FEB21
November 2025July 1, 202001JUL20 No changeFebruary 15, 202115FEB21
October 2025July 1, 202001JUL20 Available againFebruary 15, 202115FEB21
September 2025UnavailableU No changeFebruary 1, 202101FEB21
August 2025UnavailableU No changeFebruary 1, 202101FEB21
July 2025UnavailableU No changeFebruary 1, 202101FEB21
June 2025UnavailableU No changeFebruary 1, 202101FEB21
May 2025UnavailableU No changeFebruary 1, 202101FEB21
April 2025UnavailableU Became unavailableFebruary 1, 202101FEB21
March 2025August 1, 201901AUG19 Retrogressed 1 year, 5 monthsFebruary 1, 202101FEB21
February 2025January 1, 202101JAN21 No changeFebruary 1, 202101FEB21
January 2025January 1, 202101JAN21 No changeFebruary 1, 202101FEB21
December 2024January 1, 202101JAN21 No changeFebruary 1, 202101FEB21
November 2024January 1, 202101JAN21 No changeFebruary 1, 202101FEB21
Full history since December 2001: the October bulletin of each year

October opens each fiscal year, with fresh annual visa limits.

BulletinFinal action
October 2026December 15, 2022
October 2025July 1, 2020
October 2024January 1, 2021
October 2023January 1, 2019
October 2022Current
October 2021Current
October 2020Current
October 2019Current
October 2018Current
October 2017Current
October 2016Current
October 2015Current
October 2014Current
October 2013Current
October 2012Current
October 2011Current
October 2010Current
October 2009Current
October 2008Current
October 2007Current
October 2006Current
October 2005Current
October 2004Current
October 2003Current
October 2002Current

Who EB-4 is for

Certain special immigrants, such as religious workers, special immigrant juveniles (SIJS) and certain employees of international organizations. Annual limit: 7.1% of the employment-based limit.

Mexico, Philippines, India, China (mainland-born): 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.

Other categories for all countries