If you have been tracking your green card timeline through the Department of State’s monthly updates, you already know that late summer brings a specific kind of tension. The September Visa Bulletin arrives just as the federal fiscal year winds down. For professionals navigating the EB-1 and EB-2 categories, this publication often reflects the tightest point of annual visa availability.
Understanding how to read these movements requires looking past the raw numbers. Every October, a fresh supply of immigrant visas becomes available when the new fiscal year begins. As the months tick forward toward August and September, the pool of remaining visas shrinks. When demand outpaces that shrinking supply, cut-off dates can stall, or in some cases, retrogress to keep total issuances within statutory limits.
For applicants in the EB-1 and EB-2 categories, the September Visa Bulletin continues to show relatively favorable availability for many countries, even as the federal fiscal year approaches its end. While some employment-based categories remain subject to country-specific backlogs and cut-off dates, applicants should pay close attention to how their individual priority date compares with the applicable chart for their category and country of chargeability.
It is also important to understand the difference between the Final Action Dates chart and the Dates for Filing chart. USCIS determines each month which chart adjustment-of-status applicants may use when filing their applications. Even when a category remains current or a priority date is eligible under the applicable chart, individual circumstances can affect the next steps. The Visa Bulletin helps determine when an applicant may file or when a green card can be approved, while an approved I-140 petition remains valid regardless of monthly movement in visa availability.
As the new fiscal year approaches, patience and preparation are your best tools. Keeping your documentation organized ensures that the moment a window opens or resets in October, your application is ready to move without delay.
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