The US Visa Bulletin September 2026 is expected to bring significant relief for many Indians waiting for family-sponsored green cards, with the reported F1, F2B and F3 Final Action Dates making substantial advances.
According to the supplied source, F1 would move to January 22, 2020, F2B to August 22, 2019, and F3 to October 22, 2014. F2A would remain effectively current, while F4 would remain unchanged.
The employment-based categories, however, remain much more challenging for Indian applicants. The supplied figures show EB-2 and unreserved EB-5 as unavailable, while EB-1 and EB-3 remain unchanged.
The contrast between family-sponsored and employment-based categories is therefore one of the most important features of the reported September update.
Quick Highlights : US Visa Bulletin September 2026
- F1 Final Action Date: January 22, 2020
- F2A: August 22, 2026 / reported as current for many applicants
- F2B: August 22, 2019
- F3: October 22, 2014
- F4: November 1, 2006
- EB-1 India: October 15, 2022
- EB-2 India: Unavailable
- EB-3 India: January 1, 2014
- EB-4 India: December 15, 2022
- EB-5 Unreserved India: Unavailable
- EB-5 Rural, High-Unemployment and Infrastructure: Current
US Visa Bulletin September 2026: Major Movement for Family Green Cards
The biggest reported development in the US Visa Bulletin September 2026 is the movement in India’s family-sponsored categories.
The F1, F2B and F3 categories have reportedly advanced by substantial amounts compared with the previous month.
India Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates
| Category | September 2026 Reported Date | Previous Date |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | January 22, 2020 | December 15, 2018 |
| F2A | August 22, 2026 | July 22, 2026 |
| F2B | August 22, 2019 | January 1, 2018 |
| F3 | October 22, 2014 | May 15, 2012 |
| F4 | November 1, 2006 | Unchanged |
These movements would represent a particularly significant improvement for Indian family-sponsored applicants who have been waiting years for their priority dates to become current.
The supplied source reports these September figures.
F1 India Green Card Date Moves to January 2020
The F1 category covers unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens who are 21 or older.
Under the reported US Visa Bulletin September 2026, India’s F1 Final Action Date would move from December 15, 2018, to January 22, 2020.
That represents a forward movement of more than 13 months.
For applicants whose priority dates fall before January 22, 2020, this could represent an important step toward final visa issuance, subject to all other eligibility and processing requirements.
The August 2026 official bulletin had India’s F1 Final Action Date at December 15, 2018, confirming the starting point cited in the supplied report.
F2A Moves Forward and Remains Current
The F2A category covers spouses and children of U.S. lawful permanent residents.
The reported September date moves to August 22, 2026, compared with July 22, 2026.
This is particularly notable because F2A has been moving rapidly during 2026.
The August official bulletin already showed F2A at July 22, 2026 for India, with the Dates for Filing chart marked current.
For families waiting under F2A, continued movement could make a meaningful difference in how quickly cases progress.
However, applicants should distinguish between the Final Action Date and Dates for Filing because they serve different purposes.
F2B India Makes One of the Biggest Advances
The reported F2B Final Action Date moves from:
January 1, 2018 → August 22, 2019
That is an advance of more than 19 months.
F2B covers unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older of U.S. permanent residents.
For Indian applicants with priority dates that fall within the newly reported range, the movement could significantly reduce the remaining wait before immigrant visa issuance.
The supplied source identifies F2B as one of the three family categories showing major movement in the September figures.
F3 India Advances to October 2014
The F3 category covers married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
India’s reported Final Action Date would move from:
May 15, 2012 → October 22, 2014
This represents another substantial advance of more than two years.
For families who have been waiting since the early 2010s, such movement can bring cases significantly closer to visa availability.
The August 2026 official bulletin had India’s F3 date at May 15, 2012, which matches the previous date supplied in the September report.
F4 India Remains Unchanged
Not every family category is moving.
The reported F4 Final Action Date remains:
November 1, 2006
F4 is the family-sponsored category for brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.
The lack of movement means Indian applicants in F4 with priority dates after November 1, 2006, would continue waiting for further advancement.
India’s F4 date was already November 1, 2006, in the August 2026 official bulletin.
Dates for Filing Also Improve
The family-sponsored Dates for Filing chart reportedly shows additional movement.
| Category | Reported September Date | Previous Date |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | February 1, 2020 | June 15, 2019 |
| F2A | Current | Current |
| F2B | September 1, 2019 | January 1, 2019 |
| F3 | November 1, 2014 | March 1, 2013 |
| F4 | December 15, 2006 | Unchanged |
The distinction between Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates is important.
A Dates for Filing date generally indicates when an applicant can begin submitting required documentation or, where USCIS permits, file an adjustment-of-status application.
A Final Action Date, on the other hand, determines when an immigrant visa number can actually be allocated and the case finalized.
The Department of State explains that a listed date means the applicant’s priority date must be earlier than the published date; a “C” means the category is current.
Employment-Based Green Cards Remain Difficult for Indians
The family-sponsored gains stand in sharp contrast to the employment-based side of the reported US Visa Bulletin September 2026.
Indian employment-based applicants continue to face serious backlogs.
The reported Final Action Dates are:
| Employment Category | India |
|---|---|
| EB-1 | October 15, 2022 |
| EB-2 | Unavailable |
| EB-3 | January 1, 2014 |
| Other Workers | January 1, 2014 |
| EB-4 | December 15, 2022 |
| Certain Religious Workers | December 15, 2022 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Unavailable |
| EB-5 Rural | Current |
| EB-5 High Unemployment | Current |
| EB-5 Infrastructure | Current |
These figures are reported in the supplied source.
EB-1 India Remains at October 15, 2022
India’s EB-1 Final Action Date is reported as October 15, 2022, unchanged from August.
This is particularly important because EB-1 India has experienced significant movement and retrogression during 2026.
The official August bulletin confirms the October 15, 2022 date and warned that high demand could potentially make EB-1 India unavailable before the end of fiscal year 2026.
Fiscal Year 2026 ends on September 30, 2026, making September particularly important for applicants tracking employment-based visa availability.
EB-2 India Remains Unavailable
One of the biggest problems for Indian employment-based applicants remains EB-2.
The category is reported as U — Unavailable.
This means immigrant visa numbers are not currently authorized for the category under the applicable annual limits.
The official August 2026 bulletin also lists EB-2 India as unavailable.
Applicants should therefore not assume that having an approved I-140 automatically means their green card can be finalized immediately.
Visa availability remains a separate requirement.
EB-3 India Remains at January 1, 2014
The reported EB-3 Final Action Date for India remains:
January 1, 2014
There is no reported advancement compared with August.
The EB-3 category includes skilled workers, professionals and certain other workers.
For many Indian employment-based applicants, the EB-3 backlog therefore remains a major factor in the green card process.
The August official bulletin confirms the January 1, 2014 India cutoff.
EB-4 Makes a Two-Month Advance
One of the few employment-based categories showing movement for India is EB-4.
The reported date advances from:
October 15, 2022 → December 15, 2022
The same movement applies to Certain Religious Workers.
The August official bulletin had the EB-4 date at October 15, 2022, making the reported December date a two-month advance.
EB-5 India: Unreserved Category Still Unavailable
The unreserved EB-5 category remains unavailable for Indian applicants in the reported figures.
However, the three EB-5 set-aside categories remain current:
- Rural — 20%
- High Unemployment — 10%
- Infrastructure — 2%
The official August bulletin also confirms that India’s unreserved EB-5 category is unavailable while the reserved categories remain current.
This distinction is important because “EB-5 unavailable” does not necessarily mean every EB-5 pathway is closed to Indian applicants.
Employment-Based Dates for Filing
The reported employment-based Dates for Filing remain largely unchanged:
| Category | India |
|---|---|
| EB-1 | December 1, 2023 |
| EB-2 | January 15, 2015 |
| EB-3 | January 15, 2015 |
| Other Workers | January 15, 2015 |
| EB-4 | January 1, 2023 |
| Certain Religious Workers | January 1, 2023 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | May 1, 2024 |
| EB-5 Rural | Current |
| EB-5 High Unemployment | Current |
| EB-5 Infrastructure | Current |
The supplied source reports no changes in these employment-based filing dates.
Why September Is Important for Indian Green Card Applicants
The US Visa Bulletin September 2026 is particularly important because September is the final month of the U.S. government’s fiscal year.
The fiscal year ends on September 30.
The August bulletin itself warns that visa categories can become unavailable or retrogress if annual or per-country limits are reached.
This means applicants should be cautious about assuming that a favorable date will necessarily continue unchanged.
The Department of State specifically notes that as additional demand materializes, retrogression may become necessary to keep visa issuances within annual limits.
What Is a Priority Date?
A priority date is essentially an applicant’s place in the immigrant visa queue.
For many employment-based cases, it is generally associated with the date the relevant labor certification or immigrant petition was filed, depending on the category.
For family-sponsored cases, it is generally associated with the date the qualifying immigrant petition was filed.
The Visa Bulletin then determines whether that priority date is sufficiently old for the applicant to proceed.
Applicants should always verify the priority date shown on their official immigration documents and compare it with the correct Visa Bulletin chart.
Final Action Date vs Dates for Filing
This distinction is critical for anyone following the US Visa Bulletin September 2026.
Final Action Dates
This chart determines when immigrant visa numbers are available for final action.
If the applicant’s priority date is earlier than the listed date, the case may be eligible for final action, subject to all other requirements.
Dates for Filing
This chart identifies when applicants may begin the document submission process and, where USCIS permits, may determine when adjustment-of-status applications can be filed.
However, USCIS separately announces each month which chart employment-based adjustment applicants may use.
The Department of State itself directs applicants to USCIS’s Visa Bulletin information page for the applicable adjustment-of-status filing chart.
What Indian Applicants Should Do Now
Applicants whose priority dates have moved into the reported range should review their cases carefully.
Family-sponsored applicants
Check whether your priority date is earlier than the applicable reported Final Action Date.
Employment-based applicants
Check both your priority date and the chart USCIS has authorized for adjustment-of-status filings.
EB-2 and EB-5 applicants
Remember that an Unavailable designation means visa numbers are not currently available in that category.
EB-1 applicants
Indian EB-1 applicants should closely monitor developments because the State Department has already warned about possible unavailability before the end of FY2026.
Key Takeaways Of US Visa Bulletin September 2026
The reported US Visa Bulletin September 2026 figures would represent a major positive development for several Indian family-sponsored green card applicants.
F1 reportedly advances to January 22, 2020, F2B to August 22, 2019, and F3 to October 22, 2014. F2A also moves forward, while F4 remains unchanged.
The employment-based picture is much less favorable. EB-2 India and unreserved EB-5 remain unavailable, EB-1 stays at October 15, 2022, and EB-3 remains at January 1, 2014.
The timing is also important because September is the final month of FY2026. The State Department has warned that additional demand could result in retrogression or categories becoming unavailable before the fiscal year ends.
However, as of August 22, 2026, the official September bulletin has not yet been published. The September-specific figures in this article come from the supplied source and should be rechecked against the Department of State’s official bulletin once it is released.
Important update: The September 2026 Visa Bulletin had not yet been officially published by the U.S. Department of State as of August 22, 2026. The September figures below are based on the source material supplied for this article and should therefore be treated as reported figures until the official bulletin is released. The latest official bulletin currently available is August 2026.
FAQs : US Visa Bulletin September 2026
What is the US Visa Bulletin September 2026?
The US Visa Bulletin September 2026 is the monthly Department of State publication that determines immigrant visa availability by category, country of chargeability and priority date. As of August 22, 2026, the official September bulletin had not yet been published.
Which Indian family green card category moved the most?
Based on the supplied September figures, F2B shows one of the largest advances, moving from January 1, 2018 to August 22, 2019.
What is the reported F1 India Final Action Date?
The supplied September figures show January 22, 2020, compared with December 15, 2018 previously.
Is EB-2 India available?
No. The latest official August bulletin lists EB-2 India as unavailable, and the supplied September figures also report it as unavailable.
What is the reported EB-3 India date?
The supplied September figures show an EB-3 India Final Action Date of January 1, 2014, unchanged from August.
Is EB-5 available for Indians?
The unreserved EB-5 category is unavailable for India, but the rural, high-unemployment and infrastructure set-asides are reported as current.
Why is September important for green card applicants?
September is the final month of the U.S. fiscal year. Visa numbers can become limited toward the end of the fiscal year, and the Department of State warns that retrogression or unavailability may become necessary depending on demand.
When will the official September 2026 Visa Bulletin be available?
As of August 22, 2026, the September bulletin had not yet appeared on the Department of State’s official Visa Bulletin page. The figures supplied for this article should therefore be treated as reported rather than officially confirmed until publication.
Source : The Economic Times
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