The U.S. Department of State’s September 2026 Visa Bulletin lists when immigrant visa numbers may be available and when some applicants may be able to prepare and submit documents. The right chart depends on the type of case, the applicant’s country of chargeability, and the priority date. This update summarizes the bulletin in plain language; it does not change the government’s rules or guarantee that a visa number will remain available.

For people with a pending or planned family-based, employment-based, or Diversity Visa matter, the most important step is to compare the correct category and country column with the priority date. In most categories, the priority date must be earlier than the listed date.

Two Charts Serve Different Purposes

The Visa Bulletin has two main charts for family-based and employment-based cases.

Final Action Dates show when an immigrant visa number may be issued. For adjustment-of-status applicants, USCIS generally requires use of this chart unless USCIS says that the Dates for Filing chart may be used instead.

Dates for Filing show when certain applicants may be able to collect and submit required documents to the National Visa Center. For adjustment of status cases, applicants should check USCIS instructions for the month before relying on this chart.

A category marked “C” is current. A category marked “U” is unavailable. When a specific date appears, only priority dates earlier than that date qualify under that chart.

Family-Based Visa Dates for September 2026

For final action dates, the September bulletin lists the following dates for most countries, including China-mainland born applicants unless a different country column applies:

• F1, unmarried adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens: January 22, 2020.
• F2A, spouses and children of permanent residents: August 22, 2026.
• F2B, unmarried adult sons and daughters of permanent residents: August 22, 2019.
• F3, married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens: October 22, 2014.
• F4, brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens: October 22, 2011.

Mexico, India, and the Philippines have separate dates in several family categories. For example, the F4 final action date is November 1, 2006, for India; April 8, 2001, for Mexico; and August 22, 2007, for the Philippines.

For filing dates, F2A is current for all listed countries in September. Other family categories still have listed filing dates. This means F2A applicants may be able to file when the filing chart is permitted, but USCIS adjustment applicants must first confirm which chart USCIS allows for that month.

Employment-Based Visa Dates to Watch

The employment-based final action chart includes several important differences by country.

• EB-1 is current for most countries, Mexico, and the Philippines. China-mainland born applicants have a final action date of July 1, 2023, and India has October 15, 2022.
• EB-2 is current for most countries, Mexico, and the Philippines. China-mainland born applicants have September 1, 2021. EB-2 for India is unavailable in the September final action chart.
• EB-3 has a final action date of September 1, 2024, for most countries and Mexico; January 1, 2022, for China-mainland born applicants; January 1, 2014, for India; and August 1, 2023, for the Philippines.
• Other Workers has earlier dates: April 1, 2022, for most countries and Mexico; May 1, 2019, for China-mainland born applicants; January 1, 2014, for India; and December 1, 2021, for the Philippines.
• EB-5 unreserved is current for most countries, Mexico, and the Philippines. It has a final action date of December 1, 2016, for China-mainland born applicants and is unavailable for India.

The EB-5 rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure set-aside categories are current for all listed countries in the September bulletin.

Why Dates May Change Again

The Department of State reports that visa issuance rates have decreased in fiscal year 2026 and that dates for filing and final action dates have moved forward in various categories in recent months. At the same time, the Department warns that additional demand or changes in government actions could require dates to move backward, a process often called retrogression.

The bulletin also warns that some categories could become unavailable before the end of the fiscal year if annual, category, or per-country limits are reached. It specifically identifies possible availability issues for India EB-1, the EB-2 category, and unreserved EB-5.

Diversity Visa Applicants Have a September 30 Deadline

The September bulletin states that eligibility for the DV-2026 program ends on September 30, 2026. Visas cannot be issued to DV-2026 applicants after that date. The same deadline applies to eligible spouses and children who are accompanying or following to join the principal applicant.

The bulletin also states that visa numbers may be used up before September 30. Applicants in the Diversity Visa program should pay close attention to the applicable regional cut-off number and the program deadline.

What This Means for Pending and Planned Cases

A Visa Bulletin date is not a general answer for every case. The correct result depends on the exact preference category, the country listed in the case, the priority date, and whether the applicant is using the final action chart or the filing chart. USCIS may also decide which chart adjustment-of-status applicants can use in a given month.

At Ventresca & Ventresca LLP, our Wexford, PA immigration law team follows updates from USCIS and the Department of State so we can help clients understand how government changes may relate to their matters. If this September 2026 update affects a pending or planned immigration matter, contact us to discuss your situation and request a callback from our responsive attorneys.