EB-3 PERM Queue Under 12 Months: September 2026 Visa Bulletin Key Updates

The September 2026 Visa Bulletin has drawn significant attention from the immigration community, particularly for Indian nationals in employment-based categories. EB-1 India is showing signs of potential closure, a development that could force high-skilled Indian applicants to reassess their immigration pathways, including downgrading to EB-2 or EB-3 categories. For EB-3 applicants, the bulletin's movements carry direct consequences. Any retrogression or advancement in priority dates affects the timeline for adjustment of status filings and visa issuance. Indian nationals in the EB-3 skilled worker and professional categories continue to face some of the longest backlogs in the employment-based system, with wait times stretching decades due to per-country caps. Notably, recent data indicates the EB-3 PERM labor certification queue has dipped under 12 months for the first time in recent years — a positive sign for new applicants beginning the green card process. This development, combined with the bulletin's date movements, may influence strategic decisions around filing timing and category selection. Applicants and their employers should consult with immigration counsel to evaluate how the September 2026 bulletin affects their specific priority dates. Those with pending I-485 applications should verify their eligibility to file or continue under the Final Action Dates versus Dates for Filing charts. The broader immigration climate in 2026, including visa suspension policies and public charge rule enforcement, adds additional complexity to long-term planning.