Mixed Results in September Visa Bulletin: Progress for Family Categories, Stagnation for Employment-Based Applicants
The U.S. State Department has released its September Visa Bulletin, the final installment for the 2026 fiscal year. As the immigration system prepares to reset its numerical limits on October 1 for the new fiscal year, the latest update offers a stark contrast between family-sponsored and employment-based categories, bringing long-awaited relief to some while leaving others in a holding pattern.
Relief for Family-Sponsored Categories
While the bulletin saw a delayed release, the news for family-sponsored Green Card applicants was overwhelmingly positive. Significant forward movement was recorded in key categories, providing a clearer path for those seeking to reunite with family members in the United States.
Specifically, the Final Action Date for the F1 category—designated for unmarried sons and daughters (aged 21 or older) of U.S. citizens—advanced to January 22, 2020, a notable jump from its previous date of December 15, 2018. Similarly, the F2A category, which covers spouses and unmarried minor children under 21, saw meaningful progress.
Employment-Based Categories Stagnate
For the hundreds of thousands of Indian applicants in the employment-based pipeline, the news remains largely discouraging. The bulletin confirmed that there has been no movement for most professional categories as the end of the fiscal year approaches.
Current Final Action Dates for Indian applicants:
- EB-1: October 15, 2022
- EB-2: Unavailable
- EB-3: January 1, 2014
- EB-5: Unavailable
The EB-3 category, which includes a vast majority of H-1B visa holders pursuing permanent residency, remains stalled in 2014, reflecting the significant backlog that continues to plague Indian applicants.
State Department Warnings and Future Outlook
In its accompanying commentary, the State Department issued cautious warnings regarding the final weeks of the fiscal year. Officials noted that the EB-1 category—while currently active—could face sudden unavailability if the per-country limit for India is reached before September 30.
Furthermore, categories such as EB-2 and EB-5, which are already listed as "unavailable" for Indian applicants, remain under tight scrutiny. The Department indicated that retrogression in these categories may be necessary across various regions to ensure the total number of visas issued does not exceed the annual statutory limit for FY2026.
Looking Ahead to FY 2027
As the current fiscal year concludes on September 30, all eyes are now turning to the October Visa Bulletin. This will be a critical release, as it will mark the beginning of the new fiscal year and introduce refreshed visa numbers. Applicants are hopeful that the October update will bring renewed availability for the heavily constrained EB-2 and EB-5 categories.
For those navigating the complex U.S. immigration system, the September bulletin serves as a reminder of the volatility inherent in the Green Card allocation process. While family-based applicants can celebrate meaningful progress, the employment-based categories remain a test of patience for high-skilled professionals.
