US Visa Bulletin September 2026: Big green card relief for Indians as family visa dates make major gains

Green Card Update: India’s green card waitlists saw movement in several family-sponsored categories in the September 2026 visa bulletin, offering relief to applicants waiting for permanent residency.

The F1, F2B and F3 categories recorded significant advances in their final action dates, while F2A remained current. However, the employment-based categories saw little change. EB-2 and unreserved EB-5 visas remained unavailable for Indian applicants, while EB-1 and EB-3 dates were unchanged.

The F1 final action date advanced to January 22, 2020, from December 15, 2018. The F2A category moved to August 22, 2026, from July 22, 2026, making it current for many applicants.


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Family-sponsored green card dates

The F2B final action date moved to August 22, 2019, from January 1, 2018. The F3 category advanced to October 22, 2014, from May 15, 2012.

The F4 category remained unchanged at November 1, 2006.

The dates for filing also improved in most categories. The F1 filing date moved to February 1, 2020, from June 15, 2019. The F2B date advanced to September 1, 2019, from January 1, 2019, while the F3 date moved to November 1, 2014, from March 1, 2013.

The F2A category remained current. The F4 filing date was unchanged at December 15, 2006.

Employment-based green card dates

Movement in the employment-based categories was limited in the September bulletin.

The EB-1 final action date for India remained unchanged at October 15, 2022. The EB-2 category was listed as unavailable, while EB-3 remained unchanged at January 1, 2014.

The final action date for EB-4 advanced to December 15, 2022, from October 15, 2022. The same movement applied to certain religious workers.

The unreserved EB-5 category was unavailable. However, the rural, high-unemployment and infrastructure set-aside categories remained current.

Filing dates for employment-based applicants

The dates for filing remained unchanged across all employment-based categories.

The EB-1 filing date stayed at December 1, 2023. EB-2, EB-3 and Other Workers remained at January 15, 2015.

The EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers filing dates stayed at January 1, 2023. The unreserved EB-5 filing date remained May 1, 2024.

The rural, high-unemployment and infrastructure EB-5 set-aside categories continued to be listed as current.

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Understanding the Visa Bulletin

Understanding the Visa Bulletin is crucial for individuals seeking Green Cards, as it provides vital information about the timeline for adjusting immigration status and eligibility based on application submission. The bulletin acts as a guide for the Green Card journey, featuring two essential sections.

Dates for Filing: This section specifies the earliest date applicants can submit their adjustment of status or immigrant visa applications. It helps applicants determine when they can proceed with their filing based on their visa category and country of origin.

Final Action Dates: These dates estimate the wait time for application approval, leading to permanent residency. They function as a queue based on visa category and nationality, indicating when applicants can expect their applications to be processed.

However, there's a crucial caveat for employment-based green card (EB) adjustments. To file in August 2025, applicants must have an application date preceding a specific date listed for their category and country in the bulletin, ensuring their eligibility for filing.

The significance of final action dates lies in their role in application processing. These dates vary depending on the visa type and nationality, directly impacting the duration of the green card application process and potential wait times. Understanding and monitoring these dates is essential for individuals navigating the Green Card application process.

Highlights from the September 2026 Visa Bulletin

The Visa Bulletin outlines preference categories for family-sponsored immigrants, providing critical information for navigating the Green Card process. The categories are as follows:

First Preference (F1): Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

Second Preference (F2): Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents

• F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
• F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents

Third Preference (F3): Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

The bulletin provides detailed insights into the allocation of immigrant visas, primarily based on priority dates and demand received by April 1st of each fiscal year. When demand surpasses the available visas in a particular category or country, that category is classified as oversubscribed. In such cases, the final action date for oversubscribed categories is determined by the priority date of the first applicant who couldn't be accommodated within the numerical limits.

For the fiscal year, the limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants is set at 226,000, with specific allocations for each preference category. Additionally, there are per-country limits set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits. Immigrant visas are issued in order of priority based on the filing date of the petition.

Spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status and consideration as the principal applicant. In instances where visa issuances surpass the per-country limit, visa prorating provisions come into effect for oversubscribed chargeability areas, including China (mainland born), India, Mexico, and the Philippines. These provisions ensure fair allocation of visas among applicants from different countries.

Understanding these intricacies is crucial for individuals navigating the immigrant visa process. The Visa Bulletin serves as a vital tool, providing essential information about visa availability and processing times, helping applicants plan their immigration journey effectively.

FAMILY-SPONSORED GREEN CARDS: FINAL ACTION DATES

Family- Sponsored	INDIA
F1	January 22, 2020 (was December 15, 2018)
F2A	August 22, 2026 (was July 22, 2026)
F2B	August 22, 2019 (was January 1, 2018)
F3	October 22, 2014 (was May 15, 2012)
F4	November 01, 2006 (unchanged)

FAMILY-SPONSORED GREEN CARDS: DATES FOR FILING

Family- Sponsored	INDIA
F1	February 1, 2020 (was June 15, 2019)
F2A	Current
F2B	September 1, 2019 (was January 1, 2019)
F3	November 1, 2014 (was March 1, 2013)
F4	December 15, 2006 (unchanged)

Employment-based preferences

The allocation of immigrant visas in the employment-based preference categories is structured to ensure a balanced distribution among various types of skilled and unskilled workers, professionals, and investors. Understanding these categories and their allocation percentages is crucial for individuals seeking employment-based immigrant visas.
1. Priority Workers: This category receives 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level. It includes:

• Individuals with extraordinary abilities in their field
• Outstanding professors and researchers
• Multinational executives or managers

Additionally, any surplus numbers not used for the fourth and fifth preferences may also be allocated here.
2. Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Individuals of Exceptional Ability: This category is also allotted 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by the first preference. It covers:

• Individuals with advanced degrees
• Individuals with exceptional abilities in their respective fields

3. Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: This category receives 28.6% of the worldwide level, along with any numbers not required by the first and second preferences. It includes:

• Skilled workers and professionals
• "Other Workers" performing unskilled labor, with a cap of 10,000 visas

4. Certain Special Immigrants: This category is allocated 7.1% of the global level and includes:

• Religious workers
• Certain employees of U.S. foreign service posts
• Individuals who have served in the U.S. armed forces

5. Employment Creation: This category also receives 7.1% of the global level. It is further divided to ensure targeted investment and job creation:

• 20% for qualified immigrants investing in rural areas
• 10% for those investing in high unemployment areas
• 2% for those investing in infrastructure projects
• The remaining 68% is unrestricted and available to all other eligible investors

These employment-based preference categories are designed to attract a diverse pool of talented individuals to the United States, fostering economic growth and innovation. By understanding these allocation percentages and categories, applicants can better navigate the U.S. immigration system and plan their visa applications accordingly.

EMPLOYMENT-BASED GREEN CARDS: FINAL ACTION DATES

Employment-based	INDIA
1st	October 15, 2022 (unchanged)
2nd	U
3rd	January 1, 2014 (unchanged)
Other Workers	January 1, 2014 (unchanged)
4th	December 15, 2022 (was October 15, 2022)
Certain Religious Workers	December 15, 2022 (was October 15, 2022)
5th Unreserved(including C5, T5, I5, R5)	U
5th Set Aside: Rural (20%)	Current
5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%)	Current
5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%)	Current

EMPLOYMENT-BASED GREEN CARDS: DATES FOR FILING

Employment-based	INDIA
1st	December 1, 2023 (unchanged)
2nd	January 15, 2015 (unchanged)
3rd	January 15, 2015 (unchanged)
Other Workers	January 15, 2015 (unchanged)
4th	January 1, 2023 (unchanged)
Certain Religious Workers	January 1, 2023 (unchanged)
5th Unreserved(including C5, T5, I5, R5)	May 1, 2024 (unchanged)
5th Set Aside:(Rural - 20%)	Current
5th Set Aside:(High Unemployment - 10%)	Current
5th Set Aside:(Infrastructure - 2%)	Current