October 2026 Visa Bulletin Alert: EB-3 Priority Date Retrogresses & EB-5 Fees Adjusted

The U.S. Department of State has released the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, bringing significant changes for employment-based immigrant visa applicants. Notably, the EB-3 category has experienced a retrogression in priority dates, meaning applicants with certain priority dates who were previously current may no longer be eligible to proceed with their final steps of the green card process this month. For EB-3 applicants — covering skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers — a retrogression means that the cut-off date has moved backward compared to the previous month. This can delay consular interviews, adjustment of status filings, and the ability to port to other employment. Applicants are advised to verify their specific priority dates against both the Dates for Filing and Final Action Date charts in the October bulletin. In a separate development, USCIS has adjusted fees for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program to better reflect the actual costs of administering the program. While EB-5 is a distinct visa category from EB-3, fee structure changes at USCIS can signal broader administrative shifts that may affect processing timelines and resources across employment-based categories. Applicants currently in the EB-3 pipeline should consult with their immigration attorneys to reassess their timelines and determine whether any pending filings or scheduled interviews are affected by the October retrogression. Monitoring the monthly visa bulletin remains essential for planning next steps in the green card process.