The U.S. Department of State has released the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, bringing a mix of forward movement, unchanged dates, and minimal retrogression for employment-based visa categories.
October marks the beginning of fiscal year 2027 and the availability of a new annual allocation of immigrant visas. However, this does not mean every Final Action Date automatically moves forward. The Department of State explained that some employment-based categories for All Chargeability Areas retrogressed to help keep visa issuance within quarterly and annual limits.
October 2026 EB-3 Final Action Dates
The EB-3 Final Action Dates for October are:
- All Chargeability Areas, except those listed: May 15, 2024
- Philippines: August 15, 2023
- India: January 1, 2014
- China: January 8, 2022
These dates reflect different movement depending on an applicant’s country of chargeability.
The Final Action Date for All Chargeability Areas slightly retrogressed from September 1, 2024, to May 15, 2024. This category includes applicants born in most countries other than China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines.
The Philippines advanced by two weeks, moving from August 1 to August 15, 2023. China also advanced by one week, while India remained unchanged.
October 2026 EB-3 Other Workers Final Action Dates
The Final Action Dates for the EB-3 Other Workers category are:
- All Chargeability Areas, except those listed: January 1, 2022
- Philippines: January 1, 2022
- India: January 1, 2014
- China: October 1, 2019
In this category, All Chargeability Areas retrogressed by three months from April 1 to January 1, 2022.
The Philippines advanced by one month from December 1, 2021, while China advanced by five months. India’s date remains unchanged.
What Retrogression Means for Explorers
Retrogression occurs when a Final Action Date moves backward. It is used by the Department of State to help manage the number of immigrant visas issued within the limits established for each fiscal year.
If your priority date was eligible under the September bulletin but is no longer eligible under the October Final Action Date, this does not mean your case has been canceled or that you must restart the immigration process. It means your case may need to wait until your priority date becomes eligible again.
What Explorers Should Do
There is no immediate action Explorers need to take because of the new bulletin. Your U.S. Advancement Guide will continue monitoring your case and will contact you when additional information, documentation, or action is needed.
Individual U.S. Embassies remain responsible for scheduling visa interviews. MedPro International does not control interview availability or appointment timing. Once your case is eligible and an interview is scheduled, our team will provide guidance to help you prepare for the next step.
Current working Explorers can also review the USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Charts to confirm which Visa Bulletin chart USCIS has designated for employment-based adjustment of status filings. For October 2026, USCIS is using Chart B, the Dates for Filing chart, to determine which employment-based applicants may be eligible to file for adjustment of status.
Stay Prepared and Stay Connected
Visa Bulletin movement can vary from month to month. Dates may advance, remain unchanged, or retrogress based on visa availability and demand.
Patty Jeffrey, Executive Vice President of International Operations at MedPro International, continues to advocate for foreign-educated healthcare professionals through ongoing collaboration with policymakers, healthcare leaders, and industry organizations.
MedPro International remains committed to keeping Explorers informed and supported as immigration developments evolve. If you have questions about your priority date or how the October Visa Bulletin may affect your individual journey, please contact your U.S. Advancement Guide for guidance.