F1 (all countries): visa bulletin dates for October 2026
Final action date
January 22, 2020
In the bulletin: 22JAN20
= No change
Date for filing
February 1, 2020
In the bulletin: 01FEB20
= No change
In October 2026, a visa number is available for F1 (all countries) if your priority date is earlier than January 22, 2020. For adjustment of status inside the U.S. in October 2026, USCIS says to use the dates for filing chart for family-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 F1 (all countries) was November 8, 2016. Now it is January 22, 2020. In 12 months: advanced 3 years, 2 months. The queue is about 6 years, 8 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
January 22, 2020
October 2025
November 8, 2016
October 2024
October 22, 2015
October 2023
January 1, 2015
October 2022
December 1, 2014
October 2021
December 1, 2014
October 2020
September 15, 2014
October 2019
January 15, 2013
October 2018
June 1, 2011
October 2017
December 22, 2010
October 2016
September 22, 2009
October 2015
January 15, 2008
October 2014
May 22, 2007
October 2013
October 1, 2006
October 2012
October 8, 2005
October 2011
June 15, 2004
October 2010
February 15, 2006
October 2009
July 22, 2003
October 2008
April 15, 2002
October 2007
November 8, 2001
October 2006
May 1, 2000
October 2005
April 22, 2001
October 2004
October 22, 2000
October 2003
May 15, 2000
October 2002
March 1, 1999
Who F1 is for
Unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of U.S. citizens. Annual limit: 23,400 visas a year, plus any not used by F4.
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.