By Nurse on Duty · 24 October 2026 · Summarised from the original sources listed below
October is the first month of the US government’s new fiscal year (FY2027), when a fresh annual supply of employment-based green cards becomes available. Many international nurses hoped dates would move forward. Instead, the US Department of State moved the EB-3 date for “Rest of World” applicants back by more than three months, while the Philippines and China edged forward.
Most foreign-educated nurses immigrate to the US through the EB-3 category, so these dates decide when a nurse can get an immigrant visa or green card after the employer’s petition is approved.
October 2026 EB-3 dates at a glance
What the two dates mean
- Final Action Date: if your priority date is earlier than this date, a visa can be issued (consular processing) or your green card approved.
- Date for Filing: if your priority date is earlier than this date, you may be able to submit your green card paperwork early. For October 2026, USCIS is accepting employment-based adjustment of status filings using this chart, according to MedPro International.
- Your priority date is normally the date your employer filed your I-140 petition, as shown on the receipt notice. Most nurses qualify under Schedule A, which skips the labor certification step.
What it means for nurses
- If your priority date was current in September but is now later than 15 May 2024, your case is on hold, not cancelled. You will not need to restart.
- Filipino nurses with priority dates before 15 August 2023 can move ahead. Those with dates between 15 August 2023 and 1 January 2024 may be able to file paperwork early if they are already in the US.
- Do not resign from your current job or book travel based on one month’s bulletin. Dates can move in either direction from month to month.
- Check your priority date on your I-140 receipt notice and ask your recruitment agency or immigration attorney how this bulletin affects your timeline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the EB-3 Final Action Date for the Philippines in October 2026?
For October 2026, the EB-3 Final Action Date for applicants born in the Philippines is 15 August 2023, two weeks later than September. The Date for Filing is 1 January 2024. If your priority date is earlier than the Final Action Date, a visa can be issued.
What does EB-3 retrogression mean for nurses?
Retrogression means the cut-off date moved backwards, so fewer applicants are eligible that month. Your case is not cancelled and you do not need to restart. You wait until your priority date becomes current again, which can happen in a later bulletin.
Which chart is USCIS using for employment-based green cards in October 2026?
According to MedPro International, USCIS is accepting employment-based adjustment of status applications in October 2026 using the Dates for Filing chart. Always confirm on the USCIS adjustment of status filing charts page before submitting.
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Sources
- Visa Bulletin for October 2026, US Department of State
- October 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 updates and retrogression explained, MedPro International
- November 2026 Visa Bulletin Released – Erickson Immigration Group, 22 October 2026
- November 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB & Family Priority Dates – Ellis
- Visa Bulletin for November 2026 – AILA, October 2026
- Visa Bulletin – US Department of State
This summary is for information only and is not legal or immigration advice. Always confirm your situation with a licensed immigration attorney.