(october 2026 visa bulletin changes) tell me why is this trending now

The October 2026 Visa Bulletin is trending because October marks the official start of the U.S. government’s new fiscal year (FY 2027), triggering an annual reset of visa number allocations and major movements across employment and family-based categories.

The primary reasons driving intense interest and discussion include:

• Start of the New Fiscal Year (Quota Reset): Every October 1, the Department of State unlocks a brand-new statutory supply of immigrant visas (green cards). Applicants track this specific bulletin more closely than any other because it sets the baseline trajectory for priority dates for the upcoming year.

• Significant Date Movements and Reopenings: The October 2026 release reopened key categories for India (such as EB-2 and EB-5 Unreserved) that had gone completely “unavailable” at the end of the previous fiscal year, while also advancing India EB-1 and multiple China categories.

  Fragomen

• Worldwide Retrogression Surprises: While certain backlogged nations saw advancements, the bulletin brought sharp retrogressions for worldwide applicants (All Chargeability) in categories like EB-2 and EB-3, catching many applicants and employers off guard.

• Filing Window Decisions (USCIS Chart Alignment): Green card hopefuls physically in the United States closely monitor whether USCIS will allow adjustment of status filings using the more generous “Dates for Filing” chart rather than the strict “Final Action Dates” chart, which determines who can submit Form I-485 to receive work permits and travel authorization.

  Murthy Law Firm