The October Visa Bulletin for 2026 has been released by the USCIS, and is already causing serious panic for applicants. The EB-2 Rest of World (ROW) category, which is one of the most sought after visas, has retrogressed its dates.
The Final Action Date to be considered is now back at January 1, 2025, with Filing Dates at March 15, 2026. The USCIS has confirmed that it will consider the Filing Date chart for October, so applicants before that date can still apply for an employment authorisationa and Advance Parole.
However, this is not so the case for India, whose Final Action and Filing Date remains stuck at November 1, 2013 and January 15, 2015. The retrogression for ROW applicants means that no spillover visas will be availble to India.
This has killed any hopes for visa dates moving forward after months of unavailability. The reaction from Indian applicants has been almost unanimously depressing.
Many took to Reddit, saying that they are stuck without work authorisation for months now. Other applicants are considering moving to Canada from the US just to be able to work and earn money.
One applicant whose filing date is November 2015 reveals how this lack of movement has affected him. His father is seriously ill, and without work authorisation or travel parole, he is unable to go visit.
The new bulletin has caused deep frustration for Indian applicants. Many are considering abandoning hope due to the dire EB-2 and EB-3 situation.
