When Will the October Visa Bulletin Be Released? 7Expected Date and What to Watch

The October 2026 Visa Bulletin is expected to be released in September 2026, although the U.S. Department of State has not published an exact release date. As of September 12, 2026, the Department of State lists September 2026 as the current Visa Bulletin and shows the October bulletin as “Coming Soon.”

The October bulletin is particularly important because it marks the beginning of fiscal year 2027 on October 1, 2026. New annual immigrant visa numbers become available at the start of the fiscal year, which can affect family-sponsored and employment-based priority dates.

Historically, October Visa Bulletins have been issued in September. For example, the October 2024 bulletin was dated September 3, 2024, while the October 2025 bulletin was also dated September 3, 2025.

That means applicants should watch the official State Department Visa Bulletin page closely rather than rely on an unofficial predicted date.

Best for Tracking the October Visa Bulletin

U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin — Best overall choice for official updates because it publishes the current and upcoming Visa Bulletin, including Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing.

USCIS Visa Bulletin Information — Best for adjustment-of-status applicants who need to determine which Visa Bulletin chart USCIS permits them to use when filing Form I-485.

U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin Archive — Best for comparing previous October bulletins and understanding how priority dates have moved from one fiscal year to another.

When Is the October 2026 Visa Bulletin Expected to Be Released?

The October 2026 Visa Bulletin is expected to be released in September 2026, most likely during the first half of the month, although the U.S. Department of State has not announced a specific publication date. As of September 12, 2026, the Department of State’s official Visa Bulletin page still lists September 2026 as the current bulletin and identifies the next bulletin as “Coming Soon.”

Recent release patterns provide a useful indication. The October 2025 Visa Bulletin was published on September 3, 2025, while the October 2024 Visa Bulletin was also dated September 3. This suggests that applicants can reasonably expect the October 2026 bulletin around a similar point in September, but the historical pattern should not be treated as a guaranteed release date.

The timing is important because October begins the new federal fiscal year. The October bulletin establishes new Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing for family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visa categories.

Applicants should therefore:

• Check the official State Department Visa Bulletin page regularly.
• Compare the October dates with their priority date.
• Check USCIS guidance if they are filing adjustment of status.
• Avoid relying on unofficial predictions until the bulletin is officially published.

The September 2025 bulletin also illustrates why October can be significant: it included projected October availability information for several immigrant categories.

Why Is the October Visa Bulletin Important?

The October Visa Bulletin is important because it marks the beginning of a new fiscal year for U.S. immigrant visa availability. The U.S. government fiscal year begins on October 1, and new annual visa numbers become available for certain family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant categories. This can make October a closely watched month for applicants whose priority dates are approaching the applicable cutoff dates.

The bulletin publishes two important sets of dates: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing. Final Action Dates generally determine when an immigrant visa or adjustment of status can ultimately be approved, while Dates for Filing indicate when applicants may be able to submit required documentation or, when USCIS permits it, file an adjustment-of-status application.

October can sometimes bring forward movement in priority dates, although movement is never guaranteed. Depending on demand, country of chargeability, visa-category limits, and the number of available immigrant visas, dates may advance, remain unchanged, or occasionally retrogress.

For applicants, the October bulletin can therefore affect whether they can take an important next step in their immigration process.

Key reasons to monitor it include:

• New fiscal-year visa numbers: Annual allocations reset on October 1.
• Priority-date movement: Cutoff dates may advance in some categories.
• Adjustment-of-status opportunities: USCIS determines which chart applicants may use for filing.
• Consular processing: Applicants abroad can use the applicable dates to understand visa availability.

Because visa availability is subject to change, applicants should compare their priority date with the official October 2026 Visa Bulletin and USCIS guidance rather than relying solely on predictions.

What Information Does the October 2026 Visa Bulletin Contain?

The October 2026 Visa Bulletin will provide the U.S. Department of State’s official cutoff dates for several categories of family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visas. These dates help applicants determine whether their priority date is current and whether they may be eligible to move forward in the immigration process.

The bulletin generally contains several important sections:

Final Action Dates

Final Action Dates indicate when immigrant visas may be authorized for issuance or, in applicable adjustment-of-status cases, when an application may become eligible for final approval. Applicants generally need a priority date earlier than the listed cutoff date for their category and country.

Dates for Filing

Dates for Filing show when applicants may be able to begin submitting supporting documentation to the National Visa Center or, when USCIS permits that chart, file an adjustment-of-status application. However, applicants in the United States should always check USCIS’s monthly filing-chart determination before submitting Form I-485.

Family-Sponsored Categories

The bulletin covers preference categories such as F1, F2A, F2B, F3, and F4. Cutoff dates can differ depending on the applicant’s country of chargeability and the category.

Employment-Based Categories

Employment-based classifications include EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5, with separate country limits and cutoff dates where applicable.

The October bulletin may therefore provide important clues about visa availability at the beginning of fiscal year 2027. Applicants should compare the published dates with their own priority date and use the official government guidance before taking action.

How to Check the October 2026 Visa Bulletin

Checking the October 2026 Visa Bulletin is straightforward, but applicants should use the official U.S. government websites because visa dates can change and unofficial immigration websites may publish predictions that are not yet confirmed. The U.S. Department of State publishes Visa Bulletins on its official website, including the monthly tables for family-sponsored and employment-based categories.

Step 1: Visit the Department of State website

Go to the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin page and look for the bulletin labeled October 2026. If it has not yet been published, the page may continue to show September 2026 as the current bulletin.

Step 2: Select your immigration category

Once the October bulletin is available, identify your category. Family-sponsored applicants should look for categories such as F1, F2A, F2B, F3, or F4, while employment-based applicants should look for EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, or EB-5.

Step 3: Check your country of chargeability

The tables separate applicants according to country or region when applicable. Find the column corresponding to your country of chargeability and avoid assuming that your country of citizenship is always the determining factor.

Step 4: Compare your priority date

Find your priority date on your immigration documents and compare it with the date shown in the appropriate table. A priority date earlier than the applicable cutoff date generally indicates that the category is current for that purpose.

Step 5: Check USCIS guidance

If you are applying for adjustment of status inside the United States, also check USCIS’s monthly announcement to determine whether applicants may use the Dates for Filing chart or must use the Final Action Dates chart.

What Happens If Your Priority Date Is Current in the October 2026 Visa Bulletin?

If your priority date is current in the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, it generally means that a visa number is available for your category and country, subject to the specific chart and immigration process that applies to you. This can allow your case to move to an important next stage, but being current does not automatically mean your green card or immigrant visa will be approved.

For applicants going through consular processing, a current Final Action Date can mean the case may be eligible for final visa processing if the other requirements have been completed. The National Visa Center may continue processing required documents, and the applicant may eventually receive an interview appointment when a visa number is available and the case is otherwise ready.

For applicants filing adjustment of status with USCIS, the situation depends on which Visa Bulletin chart USCIS designates for that month. If USCIS permits the Dates for Filing chart and your priority date is earlier than the applicable date, you may be able to file Form I-485. If the Final Action Dates chart applies, your priority date generally needs to be current under that chart for final approval.

Once your date becomes current, you should:

• Check whether your immigrant visa category is eligible.
• Confirm which Visa Bulletin chart applies to your situation.
• Make sure required forms and supporting documents are complete.
• Monitor USCIS, the National Visa Center, or your consulate for further instructions.
• Continue checking future Visa Bulletins because dates can change or retrogress.

The key point is that “current” means visa availability has reached your priority date; it does not guarantee approval. Final eligibility still depends on your individual immigration case and completion of all required procedures.

Conclusion

The October 2026 Visa Bulletin is especially important because it begins the new U.S. fiscal year and establishes updated immigrant visa cutoff dates for family-sponsored and employment-based categories. Although the bulletin is expected to be released in September 2026, applicants should rely on the official Department of State publication rather than unofficial predictions.

Once the bulletin is available, compare your priority date with the appropriate Final Action Date or Dates for Filing. If your priority date is current, your case may be able to move forward, depending on whether you are pursuing consular processing or adjustment of status and whether all other requirements have been satisfied.

Because visa dates can advance, remain unchanged, or retrogress, regularly checking the official Visa Bulletin and USCIS guidance is one of the best ways to stay informed and avoid missing an important immigration opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions About When Will the October 2026 Visa Bulletin Be Released?

When will the October 2026 Visa Bulletin be released?

The October 2026 Visa Bulletin is expected to be released during September 2026. The U.S. Department of State does not always announce an exact release date in advance, so applicants should monitor its official Visa Bulletin page for publication.

Why is the October Visa Bulletin important?

October is the first month of the U.S. government’s new fiscal year, which begins October 1. New annual immigrant visa numbers become available, making the October bulletin particularly important for applicants waiting for their priority dates to become current.

Where can I find the October 2026 Visa Bulletin?

The bulletin will be published on the U.S. Department of State’s official Visa Bulletin webpage. USCIS also publishes information about which Visa Bulletin chart adjustment-of-status applicants should use when filing Form I-485.

What if my priority date is current?

If your priority date is earlier than the applicable cutoff date, your case may be eligible to move forward, depending on your visa category and immigration process. However, a current priority date does not guarantee approval because other eligibility and processing requirements still apply.

Will October 2026 visa dates move forward?

They may, but movement cannot be guaranteed. Visa availability depends on demand, annual limits, country-specific limits, and the number of visas available at the beginning of the fiscal year. Dates can advance, remain unchanged, or retrogress.

How often should I check the Visa Bulletin?

Applicants who are approaching their cutoff date should check the bulletin monthly. It is also wise to review USCIS guidance when applying for adjustment of status because the permitted filing chart can change from month to month.