Major Immigration Changes Happening in October
Summary
Starting October 1, new immigration rules will affect some green card applicants, Medicaid eligibility, and visa screening based on social media. The State Department’s October 2026 Visa Bulletin sets new dates for when immigrants can apply or get approval for green cards, benefiting some groups like Indian workers and investors but causing delays for others.Key Facts
- The new fiscal year begins October 1 with updates on immigration and Medicaid for certain immigrants.
- India’s EB-2 and EB-5 green card categories reopen, allowing some applicants with older priority dates to move forward.
- China’s visa filing dates move forward significantly for some employment categories.
- Some countries, including Mexico and the Philippines, face delays in their EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based visa categories.
- Family-sponsored visa categories show mostly positive date advances, helping spouses, children, and siblings of U.S. residents and citizens.
- The Visa Bulletin uses two charts: Final Action Dates (final approvals) and Dates for Filing (when applicants can submit paperwork early).
- Some immigrants receiving Medicaid or CHIP may face tighter eligibility starting October.
- Social media checks for visa applicants are expanding to add extra screening steps.
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