For families and employment-based immigrants waiting to file for a green card, the chart USCIS selects each month can be just as important as the dates in the Visa Bulletin. USCIS has now confirmed that in October 2026, adjustment-of-status applicants in both family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories may use the Department of State's Dates for Filing charts.

Plain-English Explanation

The Visa Bulletin contains two sets of charts. The Final Action Dates charts show when an immigrant visa may generally be issued or an adjustment case may be finally approved. The Dates for Filing charts can allow eligible applicants to submit Form I-485 earlier, before a final action date becomes current, when USCIS authorizes use of those charts.

Think of it like a two-gate process. The first gate may open for filing, allowing an eligible person to place an adjustment application in line. The second gate controls final approval. Passing the filing gate does not guarantee that the approval gate is open, but it can be a meaningful step for applicants who have been waiting for their priority dates.

Practical Impact

For October 2026, USCIS says family-sponsored and employment-based adjustment applicants must use the Dates for Filing charts. A person may generally file if the listed date for the person's preference category and country of chargeability is “C” for current, or if the person's priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff date, provided all other filing requirements are met.

Example 1: The October employment-based Dates for Filing chart lists EB-1 China and India at July 1, 2024. A qualifying applicant with a priority date before that cutoff may have an October filing opportunity, while someone with a later priority date would continue waiting.

October 2026 Employment-Based Dates for Filing

“Current” means no priority-date cutoff is listed for filing in that category and country during October.

What We Know vs. What's Still Developing

USCIS published its October 2026 filing-chart page on September 29, 2026 and selected the Dates for Filing charts for both major preference groups.

October 2026 Family-Sponsored Dates for Filing

What remains uncertain is how visa demand will affect later months. Cutoff dates may advance, remain unchanged, or move backward.

Example 2: A spouse in the F2A category sees “C” on the October Dates for Filing chart and believes approval is immediate. “Current” on the filing chart may permit filing if the person is otherwise eligible, but final approval still depends on visa availability under the applicable final-action rules and completion of the case.

Why Legal Strategy Still Matters

Visa Bulletin analysis requires more than matching one date to another. The correct preference category, country of chargeability, priority date, underlying petition, lawful-entry history, status, prior filings, and any derivative family members can all affect the result.

A filing window can be valuable, but filing too early or under the wrong chart can create avoidable problems. A careful review can also help families coordinate principal and derivative applications and understand the difference between being eligible to file and being eligible for final approval. SanSha Law Office assists clients nationwide with family- and employment-based green card planning.

What This Could Look Like For You

• Your priority date is earlier than the October 2026 Dates for Filing cutoff for your category and country.
• Your family-sponsored F2A case may benefit because that filing chart is current for all listed countries.
• Your employment category advanced, but the Final Action Date may still limit final approval.
• Your spouse or child may qualify as a derivative applicant and needs coordinated case review.

Common Misunderstanding

Permission to use the Dates for Filing chart does not mean a green card can be approved immediately. It means an otherwise eligible adjustment applicant may be able to file based on that chart during October 2026. Final adjudication generally requires the applicable Final Action Date to be current, and USCIS must still determine that every legal and evidentiary requirement is satisfied.

Questions People Are Asking

Which chart will USCIS use in October 2026?

USCIS has designated the Dates for Filing charts for both family-sponsored and employment-based preference adjustment applications.

What does “current” mean on the filing chart?

“C” means there is no listed priority-date cutoff for filing in that category and country during the month, but the applicant must still meet all other requirements.

Can USCIS approve the case as soon as it is filed?

Not necessarily. Filing eligibility and final visa availability are separate, and approval generally depends on the Final Action Date as well as completion of all case requirements.

Sources

• USCIS — October 2026 Adjustment of Status Filing Charts
• USCIS — Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin
• Department of State — Visa Bulletin for October 2026

If you are unsure how these changes affect your case, the immigration attorneys at SanSha Law Office can help you understand your options and plan for timely renewals.

We hope this information helps you feel more confident as you navigate the immigration process. If you have any questions or need assistance with your specific case, contact us at SanSha Law Office today at 469-777-6161. Our team is here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to get started or for a consultation — we're ready to help you move forward.

Disclaimer

We regularly update our blog section to acquaint the community with the latest changes in Immigration policies. Please note the information in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be nor should it be construed as legal advice. We can promptly and efficiently represent clients located anywhere in the US or abroad on US Immigration Policies. If you seek further clarification, don't hesitate to contact SanSha Law Office at [email protected] or call us at 469-777-6161.