September 2026 Visa Bulletin: Major Advancements Across Family-Based Categories

The September 2026 Visa Bulletin has been released, bringing major forward movement across nearly every family-based green card category. Several categories advanced by more than a year, with particularly significant movement in the Final Action Dates chart for F2B, F3, and F4.

The F2A category also remains Current in the Dates for Filing chart, while its Final Action Date advanced another month.

If you have been waiting for your priority date to become current, this month's update could have a significant impact on your case.

What Changed in the September 2026 Visa Bulletin?

Final Action Dates

The September Visa Bulletin shows substantial advancement across all five family-based preference categories:

• F1: Advanced 13 months, 7 days

• F2A: Advanced 1 month

• F2B: Advanced 19 months, 21 days

• F3: Advanced 29 months, 7 days

• F4: Advanced 25 months, 21 days

The largest movements were in F3, which advanced more than 29 months, and F4, which advanced more than 25 months. F2B also advanced by more than 19 months.

Dates for Filing

The Dates for Filing chart also moved forward in several categories:

• F1: Advanced 7 months, 17 days

• F2A: Remains Current

• F2B: Advanced 8 months

• F3: Advanced 20 months

• F4: Advanced 16 months, 10 days

This means many applicants who were previously waiting to reach the filing stage may now have an opportunity to move forward.

Country-Specific Visa Bulletin Dates

The Visa Bulletin also provides different cutoff dates for certain countries that have higher demand for family-sponsored immigrant visas.

For September 2026, applicants chargeable to China-mainland born, India, Mexico, and the Philippines may see different dates in certain categories. For most family-based categories, the September 2026 Visa Bulletin represents substantial progress. However, the actual date that applies to your case can be significantly different depending on your category and country of chargeability.   

COUNTRY SPECIFIC: CHINA-MAINLAND BORN
A. FINAL ACTION DATES - CHINA-MAINLAND BORN
Family-Sponsored	August 2026	September 2026	Changes	Estimated Wait Time
F1	12/15/2018	01/22/2020	13 months, 7 days	6 years, 7 months
F2A	07/22/2026	08/22/2026	1 month	0 months
F2B	01/01/2018	08/22/2019	19 months, 21 days	7 years
F3	05/15/2012	10/22/2014	29 months, 7 days	11 years, 10 months
F4	09/01/2009	10/22/2011	25 months, 21 days	14 years, 10 months
B. DATES FOR FILING - CHINA-MAINLAND BORN
Family-Sponsored	August 2026	September 2026	Changes	Estimated Wait Time
F1	06/15/2019	02/01/2020	7 months, 17 days	6 years, 7 months
F2A	Current	Current	Current	Current
F2B	01/01/2019	09/01/2019	8 months	7 years
F3	03/01/2013	11/01/2014	20 months	11 years, 10 months
F4	06/22/2010	11/01/2011	16 months, 10 days	14 years, 10 months
COUNTRY SPECIFIC: INDIA
A. FINAL ACTION DATES - INDIA
Family-Sponsored	August 2026	September 2026	Changes	Estimated Wait Time
F1	12/15/2018	01/22/2020	13 months, 7 days	6 years, 7 months
F2A	07/22/2026	08/22/2026	1 month	0 months
F2B	01/01/2018	08/22/2019	19 months, 21 days	7 years
F3	05/15/2012	10/22/2014	29 months, 7 days	11 years, 10 months
F4	11/01/2006	11/01/2006	0 days	19 years, 10 months
B. DATES FOR FILING - INDIA
Family-Sponsored	August 2026	September 2026	Changes	Estimated Wait Time
F1	06/15/2019	02/01/2020	7 months, 17 days	6 years, 7 months
F2A	Current	Current	Current	Current
F2B	01/01/2019	09/01/2019	8 months	7 years
F3	03/01/2013	11/01/2014	20 months	11 years, 10 months
F4	12/15/2006	12/15/2006	0 days	19 years, 8 months
COUNTRY SPECIFIC: MEXICO
A. FINAL ACTION DATES - MEXICO
Family-Sponsored	August 2026	September 2026	Changes	Estimated Wait Time
F1	12/01/2007	01/01/2008	1 month	18 years, 8 months
F2A	07/22/2025	08/22/2025	1 month	1 year
F2B	02/15/2009	02/15/2009	0 days	17 years, 6 months
F3	07/01/2001	07/01/2001	0 days	25 years, 2 months
F4	04/08/2001	04/08/2001	0 days	25 years, 4 months
B. DATES FOR FILING - MEXICO
Family-Sponsored	August 2026	September 2026	Changes	Estimated Wait Time
F1	12/01/2008	12/01/2008	0 days	17 years, 9 months
F2A	Current	Current	Current	Current
F2B	05/15/2010	05/15/2010	0 days	16 years, 3 months
F3	07/15/2001	07/15/2001	0 days	25 years, 1 month
F4	04/30/2001	04/30/2001	0 days	25 years, 4 months
COUNTRY SPECIFIC: PHILIPPINES
A. FINAL ACTION DATES - PHILIPPINES
Family-Sponsored	August 2026	September 2026	Changes	Estimated Wait Time
F1	05/01/2013	05/01/2013	0 days	13 years, 4 months
F2A	07/22/2026	08/22/2026	1 month	0 months
F2B	06/01/2013	06/01/2013	0 days	13 years, 3 months
F3	02/22/2006	02/22/2006	0 days	20 years, 6 months
F4	08/01/2007	08/22/2007	21 days	19 years
B. DATES FOR FILING - PHILIPPINES
Family-Sponsored	August 2026	September 2026	Changes	Estimated Wait Time
F1	04/22/2015	04/22/2015	0 days	11 years, 4 months
F2A	Current	Current	Current	Current
F2B	10/01/2013	10/01/2013	0 days	12 years, 11 months
F3	08/08/2006	08/08/2006	0 days	20 years
F4	03/22/2008	03/22/2008	0 days	18 years, 5 months

What Are the Family-Based Preference Categories?

Family-based green cards are divided into preference categories based on the relationship between the petitioner and the applicant:

• F1 – Unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of U.S. citizens

• F2A – Spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of lawful permanent residents

• F2B – Unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of lawful permanent residents

• F3 – Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens

• F4 – Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens

Each category has yearly visa limits, and depending on the country of birth, the wait can be many years. The Visa Bulletin tells you when your case can move forward.

The Two Key Charts in the Visa Bulletin

The Visa Bulletin has two main charts for family-sponsored cases:

1. Final Action Dates – This chart shows when a green card (visa number) is actually available. If your priority date is earlier than the date in this chart, your case is ready for final processing — for example, a visa interview at a U.S. consulate abroad or green card approval if you’re in the U.S.

2. Dates for Filing – This chart is used to determine when you can submit your documents to the National Visa Center (for consular processing) or file your Adjustment of Status application (if USCIS allows it for that month). This is often earlier than the Final Action Date, allowing you to prepare in advance so your case can be decided quickly once your Final Action Date becomes current.

How to Read the Visa Bulletin

If you have a pending family-based petition, follow these steps to see how the update affects you:

1. Find your priority date This is the date USCIS received your I-130 petition, shown on your receipt notice.

2. Check your category and country of chargeability Use the Family-Sponsored Preferences chart in the Visa Bulletin.

3. Compare your priority date

• If your date is earlier than the Final Action Date, your visa is ready for final processing.

• If your date is earlier than the Date for Filing, you may be able to send in your paperwork.

4. For Adjustment of Status applicants inside the U.S. Check USCIS’s monthly update to confirm whether to use the “Dates for Filing” chart or the “Final Action Dates” chart.

We Can Help You Take the Next Step

At Tran Flores Law, we help families understand how Visa Bulletin changes affect their specific cases and guide them through the next steps in the immigration process. Call (512) 894-9984 to schedule a consultation and find out whether the September 2026 Visa Bulletin allows your case to move forward.