The EB-3 visa bulletin for October 2026 brings retrogression for skilled workers, professionals, and Other Workers chargeable to Rest of World countries. For employers who rely on the third preference category to retain talent, the change affects both filing strategy and workforce planning.
EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionals
The EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World and Mexico moves from September 1, 2024 to May 15, 2024. The Dates for Filing cutoff, which was Current in September, is now August 1, 2024.
The Philippines moves in the opposite direction. The EB-3 Final Action Date for the Philippines advances from August 1, 2023 to August 15, 2023, with a Dates for Filing cutoff of January 1, 2024.
EB-3 Other Workers
The Other Workers subcategory covers positions requiring less than two years of training or experience. For October 2026, the Final Action Date for Rest of World and Mexico moves back from April 1, 2022 to January 1, 2022, with a Dates for Filing cutoff of June 1, 2022. The Philippines advances to January 1, 2022.
The bulletin also notes that under the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act, the annual Other Workers limit reduction for FY 2027 will be limited to approximately 150 numbers.
October Snapshot
| Category | Final Action Date | Dates for Filing |
|---|---|---|
| EB-3 Rest of World and Mexico | May 15, 2024 | August 1, 2024 |
| EB-3 Philippines | August 15, 2023 | January 1, 2024 |
| Other Workers Rest of World and Mexico | January 1, 2022 | June 1, 2022 |
Filing Opportunity This Month
USCIS has confirmed that employment based applicants may use the Dates for Filing chart in October 2026. An EB-3 Rest of World applicant with a priority date earlier than August 1, 2024 may file Form I-485 this month, if otherwise eligible. Approval remains tied to the Final Action Date.
What Employers Should Do
Review each sponsored employee’s priority date, chargeability, and current nonimmigrant status. Where an I-485 can be filed now, consider the benefits of filing, including eligibility to request employment authorization. Where it cannot, plan for status maintenance through the expected wait.
A Note for Mexico and India Applicants
EB-3 applicants chargeable to Mexico share the Rest of World cutoffs on both charts this month. For India, the EB-3 Final Action Date holds at January 1, 2014 and the Dates for Filing cutoff holds at January 15, 2015. Because the charts can move in different directions for different countries, each sponsored employee’s chargeability should be confirmed before any filing decision is made. Employers with PERM applications still pending at the Department of Labor should also track how long the process is taking, because the priority date is set when the labor certification is accepted for processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World in October 2026?
May 15, 2024.
Can I file Form I-485 under EB-3 this month?
If your priority date is earlier than August 1, 2024 and you are otherwise eligible, USCIS permits filing under the Dates for Filing chart in October.
Why did the Philippines advance while Rest of World moved back?
The Philippines is listed separately as an oversubscribed country, so its cutoff is calculated independently.
Who qualifies as an Other Worker?
Applicants in positions requiring less than two years of training or experience.
