F2A, the family green card category for spouses and children of permanent residents, advanced one month to September 22, 2026 for most countries in the October 2026 Visa Bulletin. Mexico’s F2A date jumped seven months, to March 22, 2026.
Most other family Final Action DatesThe Visa Bulletin chart showing the priority dates for which a visa number can actually be issued or a green card approved in that month.See it in the glossary held for applicants charged to all other areas, China and India. The movement is concentrated in Mexico and the Philippines, plus F4 for India. It comes alongside employment-based changes that pushed some dates the other way.
F2A: a cutoff later than the bulletin’s own date
The F2A cutoff of September 22, 2026 falls after the September 4 date printed on the bulletin. The bulletin also splits F2A numbers in two. Numbers exempt from the Per-country limitThe cap, set at 7 percent of the combined family and employment totals, on how many preference visas may go to natives of any single country in a fiscal year.See it in the glossary go to applicants from all countries with Priority dateThe date a petition was filed, or a labor certification was submitted, used to determine an applicant's place in line for a visa category with limited annual numbers.See it in the glossary earlier than March 22, 2026. Numbers subject to the per-country limit cover dates from March 22, 2026 up to September 22, 2026, for every country except Mexico, whose F2A numbers are all exempt.
Final action dates: Mexico and the Philippines lead
| Category and area | September | October |
|---|---|---|
| F1 Mexico | Jan 1, 2008 | Sep 8, 2008 |
| F1 Philippines | May 1, 2013 | Nov 1, 2013 |
| F2B Mexico | Feb 15, 2009 | May 15, 2010 |
| F2B Philippines | Jun 1, 2013 | Oct 1, 2013 |
| F3 Philippines | Feb 22, 2006 | Jul 22, 2006 |
| F4 India | Nov 1, 2006 | Dec 15, 2006 |
| F4 Mexico | Apr 8, 2001 | Apr 22, 2001 |
| F4 Philippines | Aug 22, 2007 | May 15, 2008 |
For all other areas and China, F1 stays at January 22, 2020, F2B at August 22, 2019, F3 at October 22, 2014 and F4 at October 22, 2011. India matches that column in F1, F2B and F3. F3 Mexico is unchanged at July 1, 2001.
Dates for Filing: F2A stays current
F2A remains current for every area on the Dates for Filing chart. F1, F2B and F3 are unchanged for all other areas, China and India. The moves are again in Mexico and the Philippines:
F2B Mexico advanced ten months to March 22, 2011 and the Philippines a year to October 1, 2014. F3 Mexico advanced from July 15, 2001 to December 1, 2002, and the Philippines from August 8, 2006 to October 22, 2006. F4 India moved from December 15, 2006 to February 1, 2007, and the Philippines a year to March 22, 2009.
USCIS names the chart used for Adjustment of statusThe process of applying for a green card from within the United States, rather than through a consulate abroad. Filed on Form I-485.See it in the glossary filings separately, on its October filing page. Our report on the chart switch covers what it means.
What the bulletin says about the movement
The September bulletin tied its advances to lower Immigrant visaA visa issued at a consulate to a person intending to live permanently in the United States. On admission the holder becomes a permanent resident.See it in the glossary issuance rates in fiscal year 2026, according to its explanatory section. The October bulletin’s note attributes the advances to the availability of FY 2027 numbers and does not repeat the issuance-rate language.
For how the categories differ, see F2A versus F2B and the family preference guide. Siblings of U.S. citizens can read how F4 waits are measured in this explainer.