September 2026 Visa Bulletin Alert: EB-5 Dates Frozen With Retrogression Warning

The September 2026 Visa Bulletin has been released, and EB-5 investor visa priority dates remain unchanged from the previous month. This stagnation signals continued high demand in the investor visa category, with USCIS and the Department of State showing no forward movement for applicants in the queue. Of significant concern is an accompanying retrogression warning, indicating that EB-5 priority dates could actually move backward in coming months. Retrogression occurs when visa demand in a category exceeds the available annual supply, forcing cutoff dates to retreat and preventing applicants with previously current priority dates from filing or receiving their visas. While this bulletin focuses on EB-5 investor visas, the broader trend of date stagnation and retrogression warnings is a reminder for EB-3 employment-based applicants to stay vigilant. Visa number consumption across all employment-based categories is interconnected through the annual 140,000 visa cap, meaning backlog pressure in one category can signal systemic strain across the board. Applicants are advised to consult with their immigration attorneys to assess how current bulletin trends may affect their individual timelines, especially if they are approaching a filing window or have an upcoming interview scheduled at a U.S. consulate.