Visa Bulletin September 2026 Big Increase Brings Relief for Indian EB-3 Families

The September 2026 Visa Bulletin has been released, and it carries welcome news for Indian immigrant families who have been waiting years—sometimes decades—for their priority dates to become current. The bulletin shows notable forward movement in key employment-based and family-based categories, which immigration advocates are calling a meaningful step toward reducing the historic backlog. For EB-3 applicants from India, any forward advancement in the final action dates is significant given the extreme backlogs that have accumulated over the years. Indian nationals in the EB-3 skilled worker and professional categories face among the longest waits in the entire immigration system, making each monthly bulletin a closely watched event. The relief offered by the September bulletin comes at a time when Indian-origin immigrants are navigating an increasingly complex immigration landscape. Families who have been in the United States for years on work visas are eager to secure permanent residency, and forward movement in visa dates translates directly to earlier eligibility to file adjustment of status applications. Applicants are encouraged to compare their priority dates against both the Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing charts in the September bulletin. Those whose dates are now current should consult with an immigration attorney promptly to determine next steps, including whether to file Form I-485 or proceed through consular processing.