Visa BulletinWR Immigration · 3 min read
September 2026 Visa Bulletin: F3 F4 Surge With 2+ Year Advances in Family Categories
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin delivers dramatic advances in family-based categories F2B, F3, and F4—some moving nearly 29 months forward. Employment-based EB-3 dates remain unchanged as FY2026 nears its end.
The Department of State's September 2026 Visa Bulletin brings extraordinary forward movement in several family-sponsored preference categories, creating immediate opportunities for long-waiting applicants. The advances are attributed to reduced immigrant visa issuance for nationals of certain countries under current Administration policies, prompting DOS to maximize use of remaining FY2026 visa numbers before the September 30 fiscal year close.
Among the most significant moves: F2B (Unmarried Adult Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents) advances nearly 20 months for most countries, moving from January 1, 2018, to August 22, 2019. F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens) sees approximately 29 months of forward movement for worldwide, China, and India, jumping from May 15, 2012, to October 22, 2014. F4 (Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens) advances more than two years worldwide and for China, moving from September 1, 2009, to October 22, 2011.
For EB-3 applicants, the September bulletin offers no change. Final Action Dates remain: Worldwide at September 1, 2024; China at January 1, 2022; India at January 1, 2014; and Philippines at August 1, 2023. DOS separately warns that heavy EB-1 and EB-2 demand from India could cause those categories to retrogress or become unavailable before fiscal year end.
DOS notes that while Dates for Filing (Chart B) for family categories have also been updated, these changes are primarily intended to generate new demand for potential FY2027 number usage rather than to impact FY2026 visa issuance. Consular processing capacity in September may also limit how many of these newly eligible applicants can complete their cases before year-end.
Applicants in affected family-based categories—particularly F2B, F3, and F4 for most countries—should consult an immigration attorney promptly to assess whether they are now eligible to proceed with final green card processing before the fiscal year closes on September 30, 2026.