October 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Other Workers Dates Move Both Ways

Key Takeaways

• EB-3 Other Workers Final Action: ROW/Mexico 01JAN22; China 01OCT19; India 01JAN14; Philippines 01JAN22
• Other Workers Filing Dates: ROW/Mexico/Philippines 01JUN22; China 01OCT20; India 15JAN15
• Your priority date must be earlier than the cutoff; USCIS chart choice and all other filing requirements must also be checked

New month, new Visa Bulletin. The October 2026 numbers (as mirrored by QueueCheck and MyGCVisa) bring a mixed bag: EB-3 Rest of World steps backward, EB-2 tightens for most countries, and India EB-2 reopens. If you’re pursuing EB-3, pay close attention to the updated cutoff dates—your priority date must be earlier than the listed date to move at Final Action.

Source note: This summary is based on agreement between the QueueCheck and MyGCVisa mirrors of the Department of State bulletin.

What changed

Compared to September 2026:

• EB-3 (Skilled/Professional): Rest of World/Mexico retrogressed from 01SEP24 to 15MAY24. China nudged forward to 08JAN22 (from 01JAN22). Philippines advanced slightly to 15AUG23. India remains at 01JAN14.
• EB-3 Other Workers (Unskilled): All Areas and Mexico retrogressed from 01APR22 to 01JAN22. China advanced to 01OCT19 (from 01MAY19). Philippines moved forward to 01JAN22 (from 01DEC21). India holds at 01JAN14.
• EB-2: All Areas, Mexico, and Philippines are no longer Current—now 01JAN25. China advanced to 01OCT21 (from 01SEP21). India reopened from U to 01NOV13.
• EB-1: India advanced to 01FEB23; China remains at 01JUL23; others stay Current.
• Dates for Filing highlights: EB-3 Filing Dates are now 01AUG24 for All Areas/Mexico, 01APR24 for China, and 01JAN24 for Philippines. EB-1 Filing Dates for China/India are 01JUL24. EB-2 Filing Dates are 15MAR26 for All Areas/Mexico/Philippines and 01JAN23 for China. India EB-2/EB-3 Filing Dates remain at 15JAN15.

Reminder: “C” = Current. “U” = Unavailable. Your priority date must be earlier than the cutoff to be current.

Who it affects

Callout: Final Action - EB-3 Other Workers - All Areas moved from 01APR22 to 01JAN22 (retrogression). EB-3 Other Workers is distinct from skilled/professional EB-3.

• All Other Countries (Rest of World): EB-3 moved back to 15MAY24; EB-3 Other Workers moved back to 01JAN22. EB-2 now has a 01JAN25 cutoff (no longer Current). EB-1 remains Current.
• China: EB-3 ticked forward to 08JAN22; EB-3 Other Workers advanced to 01OCT19. EB-2 advanced slightly to 01OCT21. EB-1 stays at 01JUL23.
• India: EB-3 holds at 01JAN14; EB-3 Other Workers remains 01JAN14. EB-2 reopened to 01NOV13 (after being U). EB-1 advanced to 01FEB23.
• Mexico: Mirrors Rest of World: EB-3 to 15MAY24; EB-3 Other Workers to 01JAN22; EB-2 now 01JAN25; EB-1 Current.
• Philippines: EB-3 advanced slightly to 15AUG23; EB-3 Other Workers to 01JAN22. EB-2 now 01JAN25. EB-1 Current.

Check Dates for Filing as well—some categories allow earlier filing prep, but do not assume you can file. USCIS decides monthly which chart (Final Action vs. Filing Dates) is usable for I-485s. Always check USCIS’s chart guidance for October before taking action.

What to do

• EB-3 sponsored workers (ROW/Mexico): If your priority date is after 15MAY24, expect a pause until your date is earlier than the cutoff. If you’re close, get your I-485 packet, medicals, and civil docs organized now in case USCIS uses the Filing Dates chart. Do not file until USCIS confirms the chart.
• EB-3 China/Philippines: Small forward moves—verify if your date is now earlier than the cutoff. If yes and USCIS uses Final Action, you may proceed; if USCIS uses Filing Dates and you qualify under that chart, prep to file as soon as permitted.
• EB-3 India: No movement—stay focused on maintaining status, keeping your job offer stable, and ensuring your I-140 is solid. Consider EAD/AP strategies if already pending.
• EB-3 Other Workers (Unskilled): ROW/Mexico retrogression means longer waits if your date is after 01JAN22. China/Philippines see slight improvements. Keep documents current and respond quickly to any NVC or USCIS requests.
• Early-stage candidates: Keep your PERM and I-140 moving. None of this changes DOL or I-140 processing. A faster start still matters when the category opens up.
• Everyone: Monitor USCIS’s monthly chart selection, keep your civil docs and medicals fresh, and talk to a licensed immigration attorney about timing and strategy. Priority dates must be earlier than the cutoff; being exactly on the date is not current.

What to watch

• EB-3 ROW recovery: Will Rest of World regain ground after this October retrogression, or will we see further tightening in November/December?
• EB-2 stability: With new 01JAN25 cutoffs for most countries and India reopened at 01NOV13, watch for early-fiscal-year rebalancing and whether demand pushes more movement.
• USCIS chart choice: Each month, USCIS decides which chart governs I-485 filings. That decision can unlock earlier filings even when Final Action lags—check it monthly.

Important: Not legal advice. Immilink is not a law firm. This article is general information only. For guidance on your specific case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney.

All categories at a glance

Final Action Dates — Employment-Based

Final Action Dates — Family-Sponsored

Dates for Filing — Employment-Based

Dates for Filing — Family-Sponsored

Source: October 2026 Department of State Visa Bulletin, verified by mirror consensus on 2026-10-02: MyGCVisa and QueueCheck. The official page was not retrieved directly.