US visa bulletin September 2026: What Indian Green Card applicants need to know about EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, family visas

THE US Department of State’s September 2026 Visa Bulletin brings a mixed picture for employment-based and family-sponsored green card applicants, with several categories remaining backlogged for Indians while some employment-based categories are current for most countries.

The bulletin sets the final action dates and dates for filing for September, determining when immigrant visa applicants can move forward with their green card cases. A priority date must generally be earlier than the applicable cut-off date for a visa to be issued or an application to be filed.

EB-1 India remains backlogged

For Indian applicants in the employment-based first preference, or EB-1, the September Final Action Date is October 15, 2022. This means Indian applicants with priority dates before October 15, 2022, can have their cases finalised, subject to other requirements.

The Dates for Filing chart is significantly more generous, with an EB-1 India date of December 1, 2023. Applicants whose priority dates are earlier than this date may be able to begin the filing process if USCIS permits use of the Dates for Filing chart for adjustment-of-status applications.

However, the State Department has issued a warning for EB-1 India. It said high demand and visa usage could force the category to become unavailable if India's annual allocation is reached before the end of fiscal year 2026.

EB-2 India is unavailable for final action

The situation is more difficult for Indian applicants in EB-2, which covers professionals with advanced degrees and people of exceptional ability.

The September Final Action Date for EB-2 India is listed as “U”, meaning the category is currently unavailable for visa issuance. However, the Dates for Filing chart gives India a cut-off date of January 15, 2015.

The State Department has also warned that increased demand could require further retrogression or could result in the category becoming unavailable before the fiscal year ends.

EB-3 India sees a January 2014 cut-off

For EB-3 skilled workers and professionals, India's September Final Action Date is January 1, 2014. The dates for filing cut-off are January 15, 2015.

For the separate Other Workers category, India's Final Action Date is also January 1, 2014, while the filing date is January 15, 2015.

These dates mean applicants with older priority dates are significantly better positioned for final approval than those whose priority dates fall after the listed cut-offs.

EB-5 India remains unavailable for unreserved cases

Indian applicants in the EB-5 unreserved category also face restrictions. The September Final Action Date is “U”, meaning visas are unavailable under this category.

However, the Dates for Filing chart shows May 1, 2024, for India. The EB-5 rural, high-unemployment and infrastructure set-aside categories remain current for India, as well as for other listed countries.

Family-sponsored categories

The family-based system also remains heavily backlogged for several categories involving India.

For Indian applicants, the September Final Action Dates are:

F1: January 22, 2020

F2A: August 22, 2026

F2B: August 22, 2019

F3: October 22, 2014

F4: November 1, 2006

The F2A category, covering spouses and children of permanent residents, is particularly favourable: the Dates for Filing chart is current for all countries, including India.

For fiscal 2026, the worldwide family-sponsored preference limit is 226,000, while the employment-based limit is 186,317. The standard per-country limit is 28,862, with certain carryover provisions potentially raising it to 29,136.

For DV-2026 lottery winners, September is the final month to obtain a diversity visa. Their eligibility ends on September 30, 2026, and visas cannot be issued after that date. Applicants should therefore act quickly because available numbers could run out before the fiscal year ends.