The start of the new U.S. fiscal year has brought important changes for Indians waiting for employment-based Green Cards. The October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the first bulletin of fiscal year 2027, restores visa availability in some categories that had become unavailable toward the end of fiscal year 2026.
For Indian applicants, the biggest developments involve EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 and EB-5 Green Card priority dates. However, the October update does not mean that every applicant will receive a Green Card immediately. Priority dates, category limits and the difference between filing eligibility and final approval remain important.
EB-2 India Green Card category reopens
One of the most closely watched changes is the reopening of EB-2 India.
The U.S. State Department had announced in May 2026 that all available EB-2 immigrant visas for India for fiscal year 2026 had been used. The department said availability would reset when the new fiscal year began on October 1, 2026.
Under the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the EB-2 India Final Action Date is November 1, 2013. Applicants generally need a priority date earlier than the listed date for a visa number to be available for final action, assuming they meet all other requirements.
For the Dates for Filing chart, EB-2 India is at January 15, 2015. This is significant because USCIS is allowing employment-based adjustment-of-status applicants to use the Dates for Filing chart in October.
EB-1 India also moves forward
Indian applicants in the EB-1 category also see movement in October.
The October Visa Bulletin lists the EB-1 India Final Action Date as February 1, 2023. The Dates for Filing chart for EB-1 India is July 1, 2024.
EB-1 generally covers priority workers, including certain people with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, and multinational managers or executives. Eligibility depends on the specific EB-1 subcategory and the requirements of the immigration process.
EB-3 India remains an important category
For EB-3 India, the October Final Action Date is January 1, 2014.
The Dates for Filing date is January 15, 2015. This means some applicants whose priority dates fall before the filing cutoff may be able to submit adjustment-of-status applications in October, provided they otherwise qualify.
It is important to remember that being eligible to file Form I-485 does not automatically mean the Green Card can be approved immediately. Final approval is tied to the applicable Final Action Date and visa-number availability.
EB-5 India availability returns
Indian investors also have an important October update.
The State Department had announced in June that the annual limit for EB-5 unreserved visas for India had been reached for fiscal year 2026. The department specifically stated that availability would reset with fiscal year 2027 on October 1.
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin now lists an EB-5 unreserved Final Action Date of December 1, 2023 for India, while the Dates for Filing date is May 1, 2024.
Meanwhile, the EB-5 categories reserved for rural areas, high-unemployment areas and infrastructure projects are listed as current in the October bulletin.
What Indian Green Card applicants should check now
The October changes make it particularly important for applicants to review their priority date and immigration category.
Applicants inside the United States considering adjustment of status should check the USCIS instructions for October before filing Form I-485. USCIS has selected the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based adjustment applications in October 2026, allowing eligible applicants to file when their priority date is earlier than the applicable filing cutoff.
Applicants should also keep copies of their approval notices, passport documents, employment records and other supporting paperwork ready if they become eligible.
The situation can change from one month to another. Visa Bulletin dates may move forward, remain unchanged or retrogress depending on demand and available visa numbers.
October brings opportunities, but the backlog remains
The beginning of fiscal year 2027 provides renewed visa availability for several Indian employment-based categories, but it does not eliminate the long-standing Green Card backlog.
For Indian applicants, EB-2 has reopened, EB-1 has advanced, EB-3 remains available with a 2014 Final Action Date, and EB-5 unreserved has reopened. At the same time, the dates remain far behind many applicants’ priority dates.
The most important step is therefore to compare your individual priority date with the October 2026 Visa Bulletin and the applicable USCIS filing instructions. The U.S. Department of State notes that the Visa Bulletin is updated according to visa availability and that dates can change as demand develops during the fiscal year.
This article is for general news and informational purposes. Immigration eligibility depends on individual circumstances, so applicants should verify current USCIS and State Department guidance or consult a qualified immigration professional before filing.