Visa bulletin september 2026 brings major movement across several family-sponsored categories while employment-based applicants face tighter rules in key areas. The latest monthly update covers immigrant visa availability for September, the final month of fiscal year 2026, and provides new cutoff dates for applicants waiting for green cards.
The September figures show substantial advances in several family categories. F2A remains current on the filing chart for every listed country, while F1, F2B, F3 and F4 also move forward for several chargeability groups.
Employment-based categories present a more mixed picture. EB-1 remains current for most countries, EB-2 is unavailable for India, and EB-5 unreserved is also unavailable for India.
September Marks the End of Fiscal Year 2026
September is especially significant because it closes fiscal year 2026 on September 30.
The annual family-sponsored preference limit for fiscal year 2026 is 226,000. The worldwide employment-based preference limit is 186,317.
Those numbers determine how many preference immigrant visas can be issued during the fiscal year. Demand, country limits and category limits can cause cutoff dates to change during the month.
The government has also warned that some categories could retrogress or become unavailable if demand rises enough to exhaust available numbers.
Family-Based Green Card Dates Move Forward
The family-sponsored tables show some of the largest gains in September.
For applicants from most countries, the F1 Final Action Date is January 22, 2020. F1 covers unmarried adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
The F2A Final Action Date is August 22, 2026 for most countries, China and India. Mexico has a cutoff of August 22, 2025, while the Philippines also has an August 22, 2026 cutoff.
F2A covers spouses and children of lawful permanent residents.
The September Final Action Dates are:
| Category | Most Countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Jan. 22, 2020 | Jan. 22, 2020 | Jan. 22, 2020 | Jan. 1, 2008 | May 1, 2013 |
| F2A | Aug. 22, 2026 | Aug. 22, 2026 | Aug. 22, 2026 | Aug. 22, 2025 | Aug. 22, 2026 |
| F2B | Aug. 22, 2019 | Aug. 22, 2019 | Aug. 22, 2019 | Feb. 15, 2009 | June 1, 2013 |
| F3 | Oct. 22, 2014 | Oct. 22, 2014 | Oct. 22, 2014 | July 1, 2001 | Feb. 22, 2006 |
| F4 | Oct. 22, 2011 | Oct. 22, 2011 | Nov. 1, 2006 | Apr. 8, 2001 | Aug. 22, 2007 |
A priority date must generally be earlier than the listed Final Action Date for a visa number to be authorized.
F2A Stands Out in September
F2A is one of the most notable parts of the September update.
The Dates for Filing chart lists F2A as current for all chargeability areas. A current designation means there is no cutoff date on that particular chart.
The Final Action Date is different. For most countries, it is August 22, 2026. Mexico has an August 22, 2025 cutoff.
This difference matters because a filing date does not automatically mean a green card can be approved immediately. Final approval depends on visa-number availability under the applicable Final Action Date.
Family Dates for Filing Offer More Room
The family-sponsored Dates for Filing chart also shows considerable movement.
F1 is February 1, 2020 for most countries, China and India. Mexico is December 1, 2008, while the Philippines is April 22, 2015.
F2B reaches September 1, 2019 for most countries, China and India. Mexico is May 15, 2010, and the Philippines is October 1, 2013.
F3 is November 1, 2014 for most countries, China and India. Mexico is July 15, 2001, and the Philippines is August 8, 2006.
F4 is November 1, 2011 for most countries and China. India is December 15, 2006, Mexico is April 30, 2001, and the Philippines is March 22, 2008.
These dates can be important for applicants preparing documentation and determining whether an adjustment filing may be possible.
Employment-Based Categories Show Uneven Availability
Employment-based applicants encounter a different pattern in September.
EB-1 is current for most countries, Mexico and the Philippines. China has a July 1, 2023 cutoff, while India has an October 15, 2022 cutoff.
EB-2 is current for most countries, China, Mexico and the Philippines. India is listed as unavailable.
EB-3 has a September 1, 2024 cutoff for most countries and Mexico. China is January 1, 2022, India is January 1, 2014, and the Philippines is August 1, 2023.
The employment-based Final Action Dates are:
| Category | Most Countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | July 1, 2023 | Oct. 15, 2022 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | Current | Sept. 1, 2021 | Unavailable | Current | Current |
| EB-3 | Sept. 1, 2024 | Jan. 1, 2022 | Jan. 1, 2014 | Sept. 1, 2024 | Aug. 1, 2023 |
| EB-4 | Dec. 15, 2022 | Dec. 15, 2022 | Dec. 15, 2022 | Dec. 15, 2022 | Dec. 15, 2022 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Current | Dec. 1, 2016 | Unavailable | Current | Current |
India Faces Restrictions in Several Employment Categories
India remains one of the countries with the most restrictive employment-based dates.
EB-2 India is unavailable for September final action. EB-5 unreserved India is also unavailable.
EB-1 India has a cutoff date of October 15, 2022. EB-3 India is considerably older, with a January 1, 2014 cutoff.
These differences demonstrate why applicants cannot rely on a single employment-based priority-date expectation. Each category operates under its own allocation limits.
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories Remain Current
The September tables provide more favorable treatment for the EB-5 set-aside categories.
Rural, high-unemployment and infrastructure projects are current across the listed countries on the Dates for Filing chart.
The set-aside structure reserves portions of EB-5 numbers for specific investment categories. Twenty percent is reserved for rural projects, 10% for high-unemployment areas and 2% for infrastructure projects.
The unreserved EB-5 category has a different picture. It is current for most countries, Mexico and the Philippines, but China has a December 1, 2016 cutoff and India is unavailable.
Why Cutoff Dates Can Change Quickly
Visa Bulletin dates are not permanent guarantees.
The government allocates limited immigrant visa numbers according to statutory annual limits. When demand increases, a cutoff can move backward. A category can also become unavailable when its annual allocation is exhausted.
The September bulletin specifically warns that additional demand could require retrogression in some categories. It also notes that categories can become unavailable before the end of the fiscal year.
That warning is particularly relevant during September because fiscal year 2026 ends on September 30.
What September Applicants Need to Watch
Anyone tracking a family-sponsored or employment-based green card should compare the correct category with the appropriate country column.
The most important details are:
- The applicant’s priority date
- The immigrant preference category
- The country of chargeability
- The Final Action Date
- The Dates for Filing cutoff
- The filing chart designated for adjustment cases
Applicants should also remember that the two charts serve different purposes.
A Dates for Filing date can indicate that an applicant may begin the application process, while the Final Action Date determines when an immigrant visa number can be available for final action.
What the September Numbers Mean for Applicants
The latest bulletin offers meaningful movement for many family-sponsored applicants. F2A remains current on the filing chart, while several other family categories have advanced filing dates.
Employment-based applicants face a more complicated landscape. Several categories remain current for many countries, but India continues to encounter significant restrictions in EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 and EB-5.
The final month of fiscal year 2026 also creates an important deadline for monitoring visa-number availability. A favorable cutoff in September does not guarantee the same position in the following fiscal year.
For anyone waiting on a family-based or employment-based green card, the key is to compare the September cutoff with the exact priority date and category rather than relying on broad estimates.
The September 2026 numbers could shape the final weeks of fiscal year 2026, so applicants should keep a close eye on their category and priority date as the next bulletin approaches.