The visa bulletin October 2026 brings new dates for people waiting for US family-sponsored or employment-based green cards. Several categories have moved forward as the new US fiscal year begins, giving some applicants a chance to move their cases ahead.
The visa bulletin October 2026 is the US Department of State’s monthly update on green card and immigrant visa availability. It tells applicants when they can move forward with their cases.
For Pakistani applicants, the US bulletin generally uses the “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed” column. Pakistan is not one of the countries listed separately in the bulletin.
What the October 2026 Dates Mean
The bulletin has two important sets of dates.
- Final Action Date: This shows when an immigrant visa number may be issued, or a green card application can receive final approval. Your priority date must be earlier than the date shown.
- Dates for Filing: This shows when some applicants can start submitting documents before their final approval date becomes available.
- A priority date is generally the date on which the relevant immigrant petition or labor certification was filed.
- If a category says “Current”, visas are available for all eligible applicants in that category.
- “Unavailable” means visa numbers are not authorized for issuance.
Employment-Based Green Card Dates for Pakistan
For Pakistani applicants, the main employment-based dates for October 2026 are:
| Category | Final Action Date | Dates for Filing |
| EB-1 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | January 1, 2025 | March 15, 2026 |
| EB-3 | May 15, 2024 | August 1, 2024 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | January 1, 2022 | June 1, 2022 |
| EB-4 | December 15, 2022 | January 1, 2025 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Current | Current |
These dates come from the US Department of State’s October bulletin.
The October bulletin also says some employment-based categories for countries in the worldwide group have moved backward. The State Department said it will continue to monitor demand and make changes when needed.
Family-Based Green Card Dates
Several family categories also moved forward in October. For Pakistani applicants:
| Category | Final Action Date | Dates for Filing | It Covers |
| F1 | February 1, 2020 | Unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older of US citizens | |
| F2A | September 22, 2026 | Current | Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of US permanent residents |
| F2B | August 22, 2019 | September 1, 2019 | Unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older of US permanent residents |
| F3 | October 22, 2014 | November 1, 2014 | Married sons and daughters of US citizens |
| F4 | October 22, 2011 | November 1, 2011 | Brothers and sisters of adult US citizens |
What Pakistani Applicants Should Do
Applicants should first find their visa category and priority date. They can then compare the priority date with the October 2026 date for their category.
A filing date becoming available does not mean the green card is ready for final approval. Final approval depends on the Final Action Date and other requirements.
People applying from outside the US should follow the instructions from the National Visa Center when their case becomes eligible for document submission.
Applicants already in the US who want to file for adjustment of status should check the latest USCIS instructions before submitting Form I-485. USCIS decides which Visa Bulletin chart applicants can use for that month.
The State Department can still change dates in future monthly bulletins based on demand and available visa numbers.
source https://enews.hamariweb.com/world/visa-bulletin-october-2026-green-card-dates-and-key-changes-for-pakistanis/
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