In October 2026, a visa number is available for F3 Mexico if your priority date is earlier than July 1, 2001. 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 F3 Mexico was April 15, 2001. Now it is July 1, 2001. In 12 months: advanced 3 months. The queue is about 25 years, 3 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
July 1, 2001
October 2025
April 15, 2001
October 2024
August 22, 2000
October 2023
March 8, 1998
October 2022
October 15, 1997
October 2021
May 15, 1997
October 2020
August 1, 1996
October 2019
February 22, 1996
October 2018
December 22, 1995
October 2017
April 22, 1995
October 2016
November 22, 1994
October 2015
June 8, 1994
October 2014
October 22, 1993
October 2013
May 22, 1993
October 2012
February 8, 1993
October 2011
December 1, 1992
October 2010
October 22, 1992
October 2009
July 8, 1991
October 2008
September 15, 1992
October 2007
May 1, 1992
October 2006
January 1, 1994
October 2005
January 1, 1993
October 2004
October 15, 1992
October 2003
October 8, 1994
October 2002
July 15, 1992
Who F3 is for
Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. Annual limit: 23,400 visas a year, plus any not used by F1 and F2.
Questions
Why does Mexico have its own date?
No country can receive more than 7% of the family and employment visas in a year. When demand from Mexico 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.