The September 2026 Visa Bulletin lands at the most consequential moment of the immigration year: the final month of Fiscal Year 2026. With the year's green card numbers running low, September is where the U.S. Department of State either squeezes out a last round of forward movement or pulls cut-off dates back to protect its statutory limits. This analysis looks at what employment-based applicants from India, China and the rest of the world can reasonably expect, drawing on the trajectory of recent bulletins and published commentary from immigration analysts as of mid-2026.
Because each month's bulletin is usually released only two to three weeks before the month starts, the figures below are predictions, not official cut-off dates. Always confirm the numbers against the official State Department bulletin before you act on them.
Where the Numbers Stand After the August 2026 Bulletin
The starting point for any September forecast is the August 2026 Visa Bulletin. That edition delivered modest advancement in several employment-based categories but also carried pointed warnings. According to the State Department, EB-2 India remained unavailable, EB-1 China held a July 1, 2023 final action date, and the Department cautioned that EB-1 India could become unavailable "in the coming weeks" because of heavy demand. USCIS instructed adjustment-of-status applicants to use the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based filings that month.
| Category | August 2026 Final Action Date | September 2026 Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 Worldwide | Current | Likely current |
| EB-1 China | July 1, 2023 | Hold or slight advance |
| EB-1 India | Oct 15, 2022 | May become unavailable |
| EB-2 Worldwide | Current | Hold; retrogression risk |
| EB-2 China | Sept 1, 2021 | Little to no movement |
| EB-2 India | Unavailable | Expected to stay unavailable |
| EB-3 Worldwide | Sept 1, 2024 | Hold or modest advance |
| EB-3 China | Jan 1, 2022 | Possible modest advance |
| EB-3 India | Jan 1, 2014 | Minimal movement |
August 2026 final action dates as published by the U.S. Department of State. The September column reflects editorial predictions only.
Employment-Based Predictions for September 2026
EB-1 (priority workers). Worldwide EB-1 is expected to remain current, but the two backlogged countries are the real story. EB-1 China should hold near its July 2023 cut-off or edge forward slightly. EB-1 India is the category to watch: after the State Department's explicit warning, a mid-year "unavailable" designation for the balance of the fiscal year is a realistic outcome as the Department rations its remaining numbers.
EB-2 (advanced degree and NIW). EB-2 India is widely expected to stay unavailable through September, with no realistic path to movement until the fiscal year turns over. EB-2 China is likely to see little or no advancement. Worldwide EB-2, which had been favorable, could hold steady or face a defensive retrogression if demand runs hot in the final weeks — a possibility the Department flagged in the August bulletin. Applicants weighing strategy can review our EB-2 green card guide for how priority dates interact with filing.
EB-3 (skilled and professional workers). Worldwide EB-3 sat at September 1, 2024 in August and is likely to hold or advance modestly. EB-3 China may pick up a little ground, while EB-3 India — deep in a backlog measured in years — should see only minimal movement, if any. Some applicants stuck in EB-2 India periodically consider "downgrading" to EB-3 when it holds a more favorable date, though that calculus shifts from month to month.
The EB-1 India Wildcard
When the State Department warns that a category "may become unavailable," it is signaling that annual demand is about to collide with the per-country cap. If EB-1 India goes dark in September, applicants with approved I-140 petitions keep their priority dates — the visa is delayed, not lost — and movement typically resumes when FY 2027 numbers are released on October 1, 2026.
Final Action Dates vs. Dates for Filing
Two charts drive every bulletin, and confusing them is one of the most common mistakes applicants make. Final Action Dates govern when a green card can actually be approved. Dates for Filing govern when you may submit your adjustment-of-status package, often months ahead of final approval. Each month, USCIS decides which chart adjustment applicants may use, and for recent employment-based months it has directed filers to the more conservative Final Action Dates chart. If that pattern holds in September, some applicants who would qualify under Dates for Filing will have to keep waiting. Our explainer on how priority dates work breaks the distinction down in plain English.
A Note on Family-Based Categories
Family-sponsored categories tend to move more predictably than employment-based ones, but September is still a year-end month where surprises happen. Analysts generally expect F2A to stay current or move only slightly, with F1, F2B and F3 advancing anywhere from a few weeks to about a month depending on demand. Because these forecasts shift, treat any family-based prediction as directional only and verify it against the official bulletin before you file.
What Applicants Should Do Now
- Know your priority date. Check it against the current chart with our priority date checker so you know exactly where you stand.
- Keep your package ready. If your category is close to current, have medical exams, civil documents and forms prepared so you can file the moment a window opens.
- Watch the October reset. The strongest movement of the year often arrives with the new fiscal year on October 1, 2026, when annual quotas replenish. A quiet September is frequently followed by a stronger October.
- Confirm the chart. Before filing an adjustment application, verify whether USCIS is honoring Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing for that month.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the September 2026 Visa Bulletin released?
The U.S. Department of State typically publishes each Visa Bulletin about two to three weeks before the month begins, so the September 2026 edition is expected around mid-August 2026. Shortly after, USCIS confirms whether adjustment-of-status applicants should use the Final Action Dates chart or the Dates for Filing chart for that month.
Will EB-2 India advance in September 2026?
Most analysts expect EB-2 India to stay unavailable through September 2026. India's per-country allotment for the fiscal year has effectively been exhausted, so meaningful movement is unlikely until October 1, 2026, when fresh FY 2027 visa numbers become available and the annual quota resets.
What is the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing?
Final Action Dates show when a green card can actually be approved and issued. Dates for Filing show when applicants may submit adjustment-of-status paperwork ahead of approval. Each month USCIS announces which chart adjustment applicants may use; for recent employment-based months it directed filers to the Final Action Dates chart.
Last verified: July 2026 · Reviewed by the USImmigrationLaw.Today editorial team.