Archive · 23 Aug 2026
September 2026 Visa Bulletin Keeps Indian Green Card Backlogs
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin explains when some people can move ahead with U.S. green card applications.
Each applicant has a priority date, which is used to determine their place in line.
Indian applicants still face long waits in several employment-based categories.
EB-1 India allows final decisions for priority dates before October 15, 2022.
EB-2 India is temporarily unavailable for final visa decisions.
EB-3 and Other Workers have final-action dates in January 2014.
Unreserved EB-5 is also unavailable for final action for Indians.
Some people may be able to file paperwork earlier under the Dates for Filing chart.
Family-sponsored categories also have backlogs, but F2A filing dates are current for all countries.
EB-1 India has a Final Action Date of October 15, 2022, and a filing date of December 1, 2023.
EB-2 India is unavailable for final action, although its Dates for Filing cutoff is January 15, 2015.
EB-3 India and Other Workers have January 1, 2014, Final Action Dates and January 15, 2015, filing dates.
Unreserved EB-5 for India is unavailable for final action, while its filing date is May 1, 2024.
Indian family-sponsored applicants face backlogs, except that F2A filing dates are current for all countries.
- Who
- Indian employment-based and family-sponsored green card applicants, along with applicants from other countries covered by the bulletin.
- What
- The U.S. Department of State published September 2026 Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing for employment-based and family-sponsored immigrant visas.
- When
- September 2026.
- Where
- The United States immigration visa system.
- Why
- The dates determine when applicants may file or receive immigrant visas, while annual numerical limits and demand affect backlogs and possible retrogression.
- EB-1 India
- Final Action Date: October 15, 2022; Dates for Filing: December 1, 2023.
- EB-2 India
- Final Action Date: unavailable; Dates for Filing: January 15, 2015.
- EB-3 India
- Final Action Date: January 1, 2014; Dates for Filing: January 15, 2015.
- EB-5 India
- Unreserved Final Action Date: unavailable; Dates for Filing: May 1, 2024.
- F2A India
- Final Action Date: August 22, 2026; Dates for Filing: current for all countries.
- Fiscal 2026 limits
- Worldwide family-sponsored preference limit: 226,000; employment-based limit: 186,317.
- Per-country limit
- Standard limit: 28,862, potentially rising to 29,136 through carryover provisions.