Good news for many Filipino families waiting in the immigrant visa lines: the October 2026 Visa Bulletin brings significant forward movement in several family-based preference categories.
The U.S. Department of State has released the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the first bulletin of the new fiscal year. For the Philippines, several family-based categories moved forward—some substantially—while the employment-based categories present a more mixed picture.
Big Movement for Philippine Family Categories
For Filipino beneficiaries, the most notable changes are in the F1, F2B, F3 and F4 categories.
Under the Final Action Dates chart:
| Category | September 2026 | October 2026 | Movement |
| F1 – Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens | May 1, 2013 | Nov. 1, 2013 | 6 months |
| F2B – Unmarried adult children of permanent residents | June 1, 2013 | Oct. 1, 2013 | 4 months |
| F3 – Married children of U.S. citizens | Feb. 22, 2006 | Jul. 22, 2006 | 5 months |
| F4 – Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens | Aug. 22, 2007 | May 15, 2008 | almost 9 months |
These are meaningful advances, particularly for Filipino families who have been waiting many years for their priority dates to become current.
The Dates for Filing chart also brings important movement. The Philippine F2B filing date advances from October 1, 2013 to October 1, 2014—a full year. The F4 filing date similarly advances by one year, from March 22, 2008 to March 22, 2009.
What Does This Mean for Families?
There are two different charts in the Visa Bulletin, and understanding the difference is important.
Think of the Dates for Filing chart as determining when certain applicants may be able to get into the processing line and submit their applications or documents.
The Final Action Dates chart, on the other hand, determines when an immigrant visa number is actually available for the government to approve the green card or issue the immigrant visa.
In other words:
Being eligible to file does not necessarily mean that your green card can already be approved.
For adjustment-of-status applicants in the United States, USCIS determines each month which chart applicants may use to determine eligibility to file Form I-485. Applicants should therefore confirm the applicable USCIS chart before filing.
For beneficiaries processing immigrant visas abroad, the National Visa Center (NVC) will provide instructions regarding submission of documents and further processing.
Employment-Based Cases: A Mixed Picture
The news is different for Philippine employment-based applicants.
The EB-2 Final Action Date, which was Current in September, retrogresses to January 1, 2025 in October. The EB-2 Date for Filing, previously Current, now has a cutoff date of March 15, 2026.
Meanwhile, Philippine EB-3 moves slightly forward under the Final Action chart, from August 1, 2023 to August 15, 2023. Its Date for Filing remains January 1, 2024.
Thus, while October provides encouraging movement for many family-based applicants, some employment-based applicants—particularly EB-2 beneficiaries—will experience new waiting periods.
Why Did the Dates Move?
October marks the beginning of Fiscal Year 2027, when a new allocation of immigrant visa numbers becomes available.
The Department of State explained that with the availability of FY 2027 immigrant visa numbers, it was able to advance dates in several categories. At the same time, some employment-based categories had to retrogress in order to keep visa issuances within the government’s quarterly and annual numerical limits.
The Department of State also cautions that visa availability will continue to be monitored. Depending on demand, further advancement—or even retrogression—may occur later in the fiscal year.
What Should Filipino Applicants Do Now?
If you have a long-pending family or employment-based petition, now is a good time to check your priority date again.
Do not assume that your case is still years away simply because it has been pending for a long time. With some Philippine categories advancing by several months to a full year, applicants who were previously unable to proceed may now be eligible to take the next step.
Those with priority dates approaching the new cutoff dates should also begin gathering important documents—including civil records, financial documents and other evidence—so they are prepared when their cases become eligible.
Most importantly, remember:
A filing date is not the same as a green-card approval date.
The October Visa Bulletin is encouraging news for many Filipino families, but visa availability remains fluid. Priority dates can advance, remain unchanged, or retrogress from one month to another.
For Filipino immigrants who have waited many years to reunite with their families, however, this October’s movement is certainly a welcome development.
This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration cases are fact-specific. Individuals should consult qualified immigration counsel regarding their particular circumstances.
Source: U.S. Department of State, Visa Bulletin for October 2026.
