The U.S. Department of State has officially released the September 2026 Visa Bulletin, introducing notable adjustments across family-sponsored green card categories while keeping employment-based queues largely stagnant.
Significant Forward Momentum in Family-Based Green Card Queues
September ushers in substantial movement across several core family-based filing categories, offering a glimmer of hope for households separated by administrative backlogs. According to the U.S. Department of State, applicants must strictly follow the “Dates for Filing” chart for family-based categories this month.
The numbers reveal striking shifts for specific preference levels. For most countries of chargeability, the F-1 category—designating unmarried children aged 21 and older of U.S. citizens—advances by roughly 7.5 months. Meanwhile, the F-2B category for unmarried children aged 21 or older of U.S. Green Card Holders moves forward by eight months.
The most dramatic leaps appear in the F-3 and F-4 categories. The F-3 queue for married children of U.S. citizens surges ahead by 20 months, while the F-4 category for siblings of U.S. citizens advances by more than 16 months. However, these gains are not universal. Mexico and the Philippines experience little to no movement in these brackets, whereas the F-2A category covering spouses and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. Green Card Holders remains current globally.
Employment-Based Categories Remain Largely Frozen
While families see progressive movement, the employment-based landscape remains stubbornly static. According to the September 2026 Visa Bulletin, applicants in employment-based categories must abide by the “Final Action Dates” chart, which sees minimal shift.
EB-4 stands as the sole exception in the employment sector, advancing by two months to settle on December 15, 2022, for all countries. Every other employment-based preference category remains completely unchanged from August levels. High-skilled applicants face continued roadblocks, with EB-2 India and EB-5 India remaining entirely unavailable.
Navigating the Distinction Between Filing Dates and Final Action Dates
Understanding the monthly bulletin requires keeping a sharp eye on USCIS instructions regarding which chart to use. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services dictates whether individuals already residing inside the United States can submit their “adjustment of status” applications based on Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing.
Because September mandates the Filing chart for family petitions and the Final Action chart for employment petitions, applicants must verify their priority dates against the specific tables published by the State Department before mailing their paperwork.
What This Means for Your Green Card Timeline
For applicants caught in the employment queues, September offers little relief. Conversely, family-based petitioners—particularly those waiting under the F-3 and F-4 brackets—finally see tangible progress that could pull their priority dates within reach of current processing windows.
Are you seeing movement in your specific priority date category this month, or do these September adjustments leave you waiting another cycle? Share your perspective in the comments below.
