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India EB-2: Understanding the FY2027 Reset
A short preview of the October 2026 fiscal-year reset for India EB-2, what the official projection says, and the official information applicants should verify.
An upcoming fiscal year can bring renewed visa availability, but applicants should distinguish a forecast from an official cutoff.
What the official projection says
The Department of State's July 2026 Visa Bulletin says India reached its pro-rated EB-2 limit and that the category is unavailable for the remainder of FY2026. It projects that in October the Final Action Date will likely advance to at least the date published in the May 2026 bulletin, while emphasizing that the eventual date depends on demand from Indian EB-2 applicants and the FY2027 annual limit.
This is a projection, not an October filing instruction. Source: July 2026 Visa Bulletin
Why the distinction matters
In her September 20 preview, Ann Massey Badmus explains that the October 1 reset creates a new supply of visa numbers but does not automatically make India EB-2 current. She also notes that National Interest Waiver applicants remain within the EB-2 allocation, and that approval of the I-140 petition is a separate step from green card availability. Read the original Badmus & Associates article
Check the right information
The Department of State publishes two charts each month: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing. USCIS determines which chart adjustment-of-status applicants may use each month. Verify both sources before relying on a filing window.
Prepare for a more informed conversation
Use this period to organize your case records and your questions for counsel. If you are preparing a National Interest Waiver, our EB-2 NIW assessment walks through the three Dhanasar prongs. Meritocrat helps you structure your profile and evidence; it does not determine visa availability or replace legal advice.
An original summary and explainer, not a reproduction of the source article. No confirmed October cutoff is asserted here. Recheck official publications before filing or making travel or employment decisions.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Meritocrat is a preparation tool, not a law firm, and does not replace qualified legal counsel.
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