VISA BULLETIN OUTLOOK · STATISTICS FROM PAST MOVEMENT · NOT AN OFFICIAL FORECAST
Visa Bulletin predictions, from past movement
These are statistics from past Visa Bulletins, not an official forecast. As of the November 2026 bulletin, EB-2 (all other countries) is at 01 APR 2025; applying its three-bulletin moves from the last 24 bulletins gives 26 MAY 2025 to 13 AUG 2025 by the February 2027 bulletin, and it moved back 1 time in the last 12 bulletins. EB-3 (all other countries) is at 15 JUN 2024; applying its three-bulletin moves from the last 24 bulletins gives 29 JUN 2024 to 15 SEP 2024 by the February 2027 bulletin, and it moved back 1 time in the last 12 bulletins. EB-2 India is at 01 NOV 2013; applying its three-bulletin moves from the last 24 bulletins gives 07 NOV 2013 to 04 MAR 2014 by the February 2027 bulletin, and it moved back 2 times in the last 12 bulletins. F2A (all other countries) is at 22 OCT 2026; applying its three-bulletin moves from the last 24 bulletins gives 22 OCT 2026 to current by the February 2027 bulletin, and it moved back 0 times in the last 12 bulletins.
Nobody outside the State Department knows next month's dates. What the archive can show is how each date has actually moved: per bulletin over the last 6 and 12 bulletins, how often it went back, and the range its recent three-bulletin moves would give from today. Past movement does not determine future dates. Download all rows (CSV) · How this is calculated
What the State Department said in recent bulletins
Forward-looking notes, quoted as published. These are the only official statements about coming months; the statistics below are not.
AVAILABILITY OF FAMILY-SPONSORED AND EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISAS FOR FY 2027 (October 2026 bulletin)
“With the availability of FY 2027 immigrant visa numbers, dates for filing and final action dates have advanced across various immigrant visa categories. However, some employment-based visa categories for “Rest of World” countries have retrogressed, and these retrogressions are necessary to keep visa issuances within FY 2027 quarterly and annual limits. This situation is being continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly. C. EXTENSION OF THE EMPLOYMENT FOURTH RELIGIOUS WORKERS (SR) CATEGORY H.R. 6500, signed on September 2, 2026, extends the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category through December 11, 2026. The SR category is subject to the same dates for filing and final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability. D. U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS (SIVs) The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, signed into law on December 22, 2023, may affect certain current and former employees of the U.S. Government abroad, as well as certain surviving spouses and children of deceased employees of the U.S. government abroad, applying for SIVs or adjustment of status, as described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the INA. This does not affect certain Iraqis and Afghans applying for SQ and SI SIVs. Applicants should contact the consular section at which they filed their Form DS‑1884 for further information on the impact of that law on their case. E. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV”
Source: Visa Bulletin for October 2026, U.S. Department of State.
AVAILABILITY OF FAMILY-SPONSORED AND EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISAS (September 2026 bulletin)
“Immigrant visa issuance rates for aliens from certain countries have decreased in light of various actions the administration has taken to protect national security and public safety, and to otherwise advance the interests of the United States (e.g. Presidential Proclamation 10949 , Presidential Proclamation 10998 , Immigrant Visa Processing Updates ). Consequently, to make visas available in accordance with sections 201-203 of the INA to sufficient prospective immigrants from other countries to use immigrant visa numbers that are available in FY 2026, dates for filing and final action dates have been advanced across various immigrant visa categories throughout recent months. Note that as additional immigrant visa demand materializes, or administration actions are amended, retrogression may be necessary in the upcoming months to keep issuances within annual limits. Visa categories may become “Unavailable” prior to the end of the fiscal year if annual limits, category limits, or pro-rated per-country limits are reached. This situation is being continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.”
Source: Visa Bulletin for September 2026, U.S. Department of State.
VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT-BASED FIRST PREFERENCE (EB-1) FINAL ACTION DATE FOR INDIA (September 2026 bulletin)
“High demand and number use by aliens chargeable to India in the EB-1 visa category may necessitate making the category unavailable in the coming weeks if India’s pro-rated limit in the EB-1 category is reached before the fiscal year ends. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.”
Source: Visa Bulletin for September 2026, U.S. Department of State.
VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT-BASED SECOND PREFERENCE (EB-2) CATEGORY (September 2026 bulletin)
“Sufficient demand and increased number use in the EB-2 visa category may make it necessary to retrogress the final action date or make the category unavailable before the end of the fiscal year to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the FY 2026 annual limit. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.”
Source: Visa Bulletin for September 2026, U.S. Department of State.
VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT-BASED FIFTH PREFERENCE UNRESERVED (EB-5) CATEGORY (September 2026 bulletin)
“Sufficient demand and increased number use in the EB-5 unreserved visa category may make it necessary to retrogress the final action date or make the category unavailable before the end of the fiscal year to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the FY 2026 annual limit. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly. H. U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS (SIVs) The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, signed into law on December 22, 2023, may affect certain current and former employees of the U.S. Government abroad, as well as certain surviving spouses and children of deceased employees of the U.S. government abroad, applying for SIVs or adjustment of status, as described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the INA. This does not affect certain Iraqis and Afghans applying for SQ and SI SIVs. Applicants should contact the consular section at which they filed their Form DS‑1884 for further information on the impact of that law on their case. I. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV”
Source: Visa Bulletin for September 2026, U.S. Department of State.
AVAILABILITY OF FAMILY-SPONSORED AND EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISAS (August 2026 bulletin)
“Immigrant visa issuance rates for aliens from certain countries have decreased in light of various actions the administration has taken to protect national security and public safety, and to otherwise advance the interests of the United States (e.g. Presidential Proclamation 10949 , Presidential Proclamation 10998 , Immigrant Visa Processing Updates ). Consequently, to make visas available in accordance with sections 201-203 of the INA to sufficient prospective immigrants from other countries to use immigrant visa numbers that are available in FY 2026, dates for filing and final action dates have been advanced across various immigrant visa categories throughout recent months. Note that as additional immigrant visa demand materializes, or administration actions are amended, retrogression may be necessary in the upcoming months to keep issuances within annual limits. Visa categories may become “Unavailable” prior to the end of the fiscal year if annual limits, category limits, or pro-rated per-country limits are reached. This situation is being continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.”
Source: Visa Bulletin for August 2026, U.S. Department of State.
VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT-BASED FIRST PREFERENCE (EB-1) FINAL ACTION DATE FOR INDIA (August 2026 bulletin)
“High demand and number use by aliens chargeable to India in the EB-1 visa category may necessitate making the category unavailable in the coming weeks if India’s pro-rated limit in the EB-1 category is reached before the fiscal year ends. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly.”
Source: Visa Bulletin for August 2026, U.S. Department of State.
VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT-BASED SECOND PREFERENCE (EB-2) CATEGORY (August 2026 bulletin)
“Sufficient demand and increased number use in the EB-2 visa category may make it necessary to retrogress the final action date or make the category unavailable in the coming months to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the FY 2026 annual limit. This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly. G. U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS (SIVs) The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, signed into law on December 22, 2023, may affect certain current and former employees of the U.S. Government abroad, as well as certain surviving spouses and children of deceased employees of the U.S. government abroad, applying for SIVs or adjustment of status, as described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the INA. This does not affect certain Iraqis and Afghans applying for SQ and SI SIVs. Applicants should contact the consular section at which they filed their Form DS‑1884 for further information on the impact of that law on their case. H. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV”
Source: Visa Bulletin for August 2026, U.S. Department of State.
Family-sponsored: Final Action Date movement
| Category | Chargeability | Nov 2026 date | Mean per bulletin, last 6 | Mean per bulletin, last 12 | Median, last 12 | Moved back, last 12 / 24 | Range by Feb 2027 (middle 60% of past 3-bulletin moves) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Rest of world | 22 JAN 2021 | +6.8 months | +4.2 months | +2.0 months | 0 / 0 | 23 FEB 2021 – 15 NOV 2021 |
| F1 | China | 22 JAN 2021 | +6.8 months | +4.2 months | +2.0 months | 0 / 0 | 23 FEB 2021 – 15 NOV 2021 |
| F1 | India | 22 JAN 2021 | +6.8 months | +4.2 months | +2.0 months | 0 / 0 | 23 FEB 2021 – 15 NOV 2021 |
| F1 | Mexico | 22 SEP 2008 | +2.2 months | +2.8 months | +2.3 months | 0 / 0 | 04 NOV 2008 – 15 JUL 2009 |
| F1 | Philippines | 01 NOV 2013 | +31 days | +24 days | no change | 0 / 0 | 01 NOV 2013 – 23 APR 2014 |
| F2A | Rest of world | 22 OCT 2026 | +4.4 months | +2.7 months | +15 days | 0 / 0 | 22 OCT 2026 – current |
| F2A | China | 22 OCT 2026 | +4.4 months | +2.7 months | +15 days | 0 / 0 | 22 OCT 2026 – current |
| F2A | India | 22 OCT 2026 | +4.4 months | +2.7 months | +15 days | 0 / 0 | 22 OCT 2026 – current |
| F2A | Mexico | 22 APR 2026 | +5.4 months | +3.2 months | +16 days | 0 / 0 | 22 APR 2026 – current |
| F2A | Philippines | 22 OCT 2026 | +4.4 months | +2.7 months | +15 days | 0 / 0 | 22 OCT 2026 – current |
| F2B | Rest of world | 22 AUG 2020 | +6.5 months | +3.7 months | +20 days | 0 / 0 | 12 SEP 2020 – 26 MAR 2021 |
| F2B | China | 22 AUG 2020 | +6.5 months | +3.7 months | +20 days | 0 / 0 | 12 SEP 2020 – 26 MAR 2021 |
| F2B | India | 22 AUG 2020 | +6.5 months | +3.7 months | +20 days | 0 / 0 | 12 SEP 2020 – 26 MAR 2021 |
| F2B | Mexico | 15 MAY 2010 | +2.5 months | +2.4 months | no change | 0 / 0 | 15 MAY 2010 – 20 JUN 2011 |
| F2B | Philippines | 01 OCT 2013 | +29 days | +30 days | +4 days | 0 / 0 | 27 NOV 2013 – 28 JAN 2014 |
| F3 | Rest of world | 22 OCT 2015 | +7.4 months | +4.1 months | +15 days | 0 / 0 | 29 NOV 2015 – 22 JUL 2016 |
| F3 | China | 22 OCT 2015 | +7.4 months | +4.1 months | +15 days | 0 / 0 | 29 NOV 2015 – 22 JUL 2016 |
| F3 | India | 22 OCT 2015 | +7.4 months | +4.1 months | +15 days | 0 / 0 | 29 NOV 2015 – 22 JUL 2016 |
| F3 | Mexico | 15 JUL 2001 | +13 days | +6 days | no change | 0 / 0 | 18 JUL 2001 – 13 SEP 2001 |
| F3 | Philippines | 22 JUL 2006 | +40 days | +1.8 months | +20 days | 0 / 0 | 19 NOV 2006 – 12 APR 2007 |
| F4 | Rest of world | 22 OCT 2012 | +8.2 months | +4.8 months | +1.8 months | 0 / 0 | 22 OCT 2012 – 12 AUG 2013 |
| F4 | China | 22 OCT 2012 | +8.2 months | +4.8 months | +1.8 months | 0 / 0 | 22 OCT 2012 – 12 AUG 2013 |
| F4 | India | 15 DEC 2006 | +7 days | +4 days | no change | 0 / 0 | 15 DEC 2006 – 21 FEB 2007 |
| F4 | Mexico | 22 APR 2001 | +2 days | +1 days | no change | 0 / 0 | 22 APR 2001 – 06 MAY 2001 |
| F4 | Philippines | 15 MAY 2008 | +1.7 months | +2.1 months | +19 days | 0 / 0 | 05 AUG 2008 – 27 FEB 2009 |
Employment-based: Final Action Date movement
| Category | Chargeability | Nov 2026 date | Mean per bulletin, last 6 | Mean per bulletin, last 12 | Median, last 12 | Moved back, last 12 / 24 | Range by Feb 2027 (middle 60% of past 3-bulletin moves) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Rest of world | CURRENT | no change | no change | no change | 0 / 0 | current (current in 12 of last 12) |
| EB-1 | China | 01 AUG 2023 | +20 days | +19 days | +19 days | 0 / 0 | 02 AUG 2023 – 29 SEP 2023 |
| EB-1 | India | 01 FEB 2023 | −10 days | +29 days | no change | 2 / 2 | 01 FEB 2023 – 11 MAY 2023 |
| EB-1 | Mexico | CURRENT | no change | no change | no change | 0 / 0 | current (current in 12 of last 12) |
| EB-1 | Philippines | CURRENT | no change | no change | no change | 0 / 0 | current (current in 12 of last 12) |
| EB-2 | Rest of world | 01 APR 2025 | +18 days | +41 days | no change | 1 / 2 | 26 MAY 2025 – 13 AUG 2025 |
| EB-2 | China | 01 OCT 2021 | +5 days | +15 days | no change | 0 / 0 | 01 OCT 2021 – 03 MAR 2022 |
| EB-2 | India | 01 NOV 2013 | −2.6 months | +15 days | no change | 2 / 2 | 07 NOV 2013 – 04 MAR 2014 |
| EB-2 | Mexico | 01 APR 2025 | +18 days | +41 days | no change | 1 / 2 | 26 MAY 2025 – 13 AUG 2025 |
| EB-2 | Philippines | 01 APR 2025 | +18 days | +41 days | no change | 1 / 2 | 26 MAY 2025 – 13 AUG 2025 |
| EB-3 | Rest of world | 15 JUN 2024 | +2 days | +37 days | +23 days | 1 / 1 | 29 JUN 2024 – 15 SEP 2024 |
| EB-3 | China | 22 JAN 2022 | +37 days | +27 days | +12 days | 0 / 0 | 21 FEB 2022 – 25 MAY 2022 |
| EB-3 | India | 22 JAN 2014 | +11 days | +13 days | no change | 0 / 0 | 12 FEB 2014 – 23 APR 2014 |
| EB-3 | Mexico | 15 JUN 2024 | +2 days | +37 days | +23 days | 1 / 1 | 29 JUN 2024 – 15 SEP 2024 |
| EB-3 | Philippines | 15 AUG 2023 | +2 days | +11 days | no change | 0 / 0 | 18 AUG 2023 – 15 OCT 2023 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Rest of world | 01 JUN 2022 | +20 days | +27 days | +23 days | 1 / 1 | 19 JUN 2022 – 23 SEP 2022 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | China | 01 OCT 2019 | +40 days | +1.8 months | +4 days | 0 / 0 | 31 OCT 2019 – 02 MAY 2020 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | India | 22 JAN 2014 | +11 days | +13 days | no change | 0 / 0 | 12 FEB 2014 – 23 APR 2014 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Mexico | 01 JUN 2022 | +20 days | +27 days | +23 days | 1 / 1 | 19 JUN 2022 – 23 SEP 2022 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Philippines | 01 JAN 2022 | +10 days | +14 days | no change | 0 / 0 | 19 JAN 2022 – 03 MAR 2022 |
| EB-4 | Rest of world | 15 DEC 2022 | +26 days | +2.5 months | +1.5 months | 0 / 2 | 14 FEB 2023 – 26 NOV 2023 |
| EB-4 | China | 15 DEC 2022 | +26 days | +2.5 months | +1.5 months | 0 / 2 | 14 FEB 2023 – 26 NOV 2023 |
| EB-4 | India | 15 DEC 2022 | +26 days | +2.5 months | +1.5 months | 0 / 2 | 14 FEB 2023 – 26 NOV 2023 |
| EB-4 | Mexico | 15 DEC 2022 | +26 days | +2.5 months | +1.5 months | 0 / 2 | 14 FEB 2023 – 26 NOV 2023 |
| EB-4 | Philippines | 15 DEC 2022 | +26 days | +2.5 months | +1.5 months | 0 / 2 | 14 FEB 2023 – 26 NOV 2023 |
| EB-5 | Rest of world | CURRENT | no change | no change | no change | 0 / 0 | current (current in 12 of last 12) |
| EB-5 | China | 01 DEC 2016 | +12 days | +30 days | no change | 0 / 1 | 01 DEC 2016 – 03 AUG 2017 |
| EB-5 | India | 01 DEC 2023 | no change | +1.5 months | no change | 1 / 3 | 07 JUL 2023 – 25 FEB 2025 |
| EB-5 | Mexico | CURRENT | no change | no change | no change | 0 / 0 | current (current in 12 of last 12) |
| EB-5 | Philippines | CURRENT | no change | no change | no change | 0 / 0 | current (current in 12 of last 12) |
How this is calculated
- Only Final Action Dates, from greencardline's archive of every Visa Bulletin since December 2001 (295 bulletins).
- "Per bulletin" is how far the date moved from one bulletin to the next, in days, averaged over the last 6 or 12 bulletins. Moves to or from "C" (current) or "U" (unavailable) have no length in days, so they are left out of the averages but counted as forward or back.
- "Moved back" counts bulletins in which the date was set earlier than the month before (a retrogression), including a category becoming unavailable or losing "current".
- The range takes every run of three consecutive bulletins among the last 24, measures how far the date moved over each run, keeps the middle 60% (20th to 80th percentile), and adds that to the November 2026 date. It needs at least 12 such runs.
- This is arithmetic on published dates. It is not a forecast, the State Department does not use it, and it says nothing about any individual case. Not legal advice.
Each month's dates and what changed: November 2026 Visa Bulletin. When the next bulletin is expected: release calendar. Last 12 months for every category: 12-month movement report.