By Hasan Legal Admin · August 28, 2026
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin shows meaningful forward movement across family-sponsored preference categories, while most employment-based categories stay largely where they were. But the Department of State is also warning that high demand could force retrogression or temporary category closures before the fiscal year ends on September 30. Here's what moved, what didn't, and why the last month of the fiscal year is the one to watch most closely.
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin shows meaningful forward movement across most family-sponsored preference categories — F1 up 7.5 months, F2B up 8 months, F3 up 20 months, F4 up 16.5 months — while employment-based categories stayed almost entirely flat, with EB-4 the lone category to advance.
Here's the full breakdown by category and country, and what the last month of the fiscal year typically means for filing timing.
September is always worth watching closely on the Visa Bulletin calendar — it's the last month of the fiscal year, and the Department of State manages a fixed annual pool of visa numbers that has to last exactly until September 30. This year's pattern is a familiar one for late-fiscal-year bulletins: real forward movement in family categories, paired with employment-based categories holding almost entirely flat.
Family preference categories moved forward meaningfully in the September bulletin — for most countries. Mexico and the Philippines saw little to no movement, while F-2A remains current across the board.
| Family Category | All Other Areas / China / India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 (Unmarried sons/daughters of U.S. citizens, 21+) | 1-Feb-20 (+7.5 months) | 1-Dec-08 (no change) | 22-Apr-15 (no change) |
| F2A (Spouses/children of LPRs, under 21) | Current | Current | Current |
| F2B (Unmarried sons/daughters of LPRs, 21+) | 1-Sep-19 (+8 months) | 15-May-10 (no change) | 1-Oct-13 (no change) |
| F3 (Married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens) | 1-Nov-14 (+20 months) | 15-Jul-01 (no change) | 8-Aug-06 (no change) |
| F4 (Siblings of U.S. citizens) | 1-Nov-11 / China same (+16.5 months); India 15-Dec-06 (no change) | 30-Apr-01 (no change) | 22-Mar-08 (no change) |
For September 2026, USCIS has directed applicants to use the Dates for Filing chart for family-sponsored categories, and the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based categories. The dates above reflect the applicable chart for family-sponsored filers — confirm this hasn't changed before relying on it for a specific filing.
Employment-based categories saw little movement in September. EB-4 was the only category to advance — moving forward two months to December 15, 2022, for all countries. Every other employment-based category held exactly where it was in August.
| Employment Category | All Other Areas | China | India |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | 1-Jul-23 (no change) | 15-Oct-22 (no change) |
| EB-2 | Current | 1-Sep-21 (no change) | Unavailable |
| EB-3 (Skilled Worker/Professional) | 1-Sep-24 (no change) | 1-Jan-22 (no change) | 1-Jan-14 (no change) |
| EB-3 (Other Worker) | 1-Apr-22 (no change) | 1-May-19 (no change) | 1-Jan-14 (no change) |
| EB-4 | 15-Dec-22 (+2 months, all countries) | 15-Dec-22 (+2 months) | 15-Dec-22 (+2 months) |
| EB-5 | Current | 1-Dec-16 (no change) | Unavailable |
Mexico and the Philippines generally track the "All Other Areas" column for employment-based categories this month — current where All Other Areas is current, matching the same no-change pattern elsewhere.
For EB-2 NIW and EB-1A applicants specifically: EB-2 remains current for All Other Areas (which includes Bangladesh), unchanged from August — good news if you're ready to file, but confirm your specific chargeability area rather than assuming, since EB-2 India remains unavailable and EB-1 China and India both carry real backlogs.
September is the last month of the fiscal year, and the Department of State manages a fixed annual pool of visa numbers that has to last exactly until September 30. High-demand categories — particularly EB-1 China and India, EB-3 India, and F-3/F-4 generally — are the ones most likely to see last-minute retrogression or a temporary hold as that annual allocation runs low. This September's bulletin didn't show new retrogression itself, but the pattern is worth watching closely in the final weeks before the fiscal year turns over.
What it means practically: if your priority date is current in a category with real backlog history, this is not a month to delay filing if you're otherwise ready. A category that's open today can close with little notice before the fiscal year rolls over into October.
Even if a category closes or retrogresses in September, the new fiscal year on October 1 brings a fresh annual allocation of visa numbers. A category that closes for the last weeks of September often reopens — sometimes at a more favorable date — once the new fiscal year's numbers become available. That's a reason for patience, not necessarily alarm, if you're affected by a September closure.
If your priority date is current or approaching current for EB-2 NIW or EB-1A, September's retrogression risk makes this a good month to confirm your filing readiness rather than wait. We also handle O-1 petitions.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Figures are drawn from the September 2026 Visa Bulletin as reported and should be confirmed directly against the Department of State's official published bulletin before relying on them for a specific filing decision. Visa availability changes monthly and can retrogress without extended notice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Consult a licensed immigration attorney about your specific circumstances.