A Busy Start to the US Fiscal Year

October is the start of the US government's fiscal year, which is why several immigration changes land together. For expats and skilled workers, three developments matter most: the first Visa Bulletin of fiscal year 2027, a final rule that raises a biometric fee paid by some H-1B and L-1 employers, and an expansion of social media screening to more work-visa categories. A fourth, smaller item is a round of USCIS fee adjustments for humanitarian-related filings. This guide sets out what each change does, based on primary government sources where they were available.

The October 2026 Visa Bulletin: Employment-Based Green Cards

The State Department's October 2026 Visa Bulletin publishes two charts: Final Action Dates, which show when a visa can actually be issued or a green card approved, and Dates for Filing, which show when paperwork can be submitted. A date means the category is oversubscribed; "C" means current. The bulletin states that some employment-based categories for the "Rest of World" have retrogressed in order to keep fiscal year 2027 issuance within quarterly and annual limits, and that the situation is being monitored.

Category (Final Action Date)	All other countries	China	India
EB-1	Current	01 Jul 2023	01 Feb 2023
EB-2	01 Jan 2025	01 Oct 2021	01 Nov 2013
EB-3	15 May 2024	08 Jan 2022	01 Jan 2014
EB-5 (unreserved)	Current	01 Dec 2016	01 Dec 2023

Press coverage of the bulletin reports that EB-2 for most countries moved from "Current" to 1 January 2025, that EB-3 for most countries moved back from 1 September to 15 May 2024, and that India EB-1 advanced from 15 October 2022 to 1 February 2023. Those month-on-month comparisons come from secondary reporting; the dates in the table above are taken directly from the State Department bulletin.

Which Chart Applies to Your Filing?

For people already in the United States applying to adjust status, the chart that USCIS accepts matters as much as the date itself. A law-firm summary of the bulletin reports that USCIS is using the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based filings in October 2026. The State Department's own bulletin page also notes that USCIS, in coordination with the department, is revising how it determines visa availability for people waiting to file. Because the chart can change month to month, check the USCIS adjustment-of-status filing charts page for the month you plan to file rather than relying on any summary, including this one.

H-1B and L-1: A Higher Biometric Fee for Some Employers

A final rule from the Department of Homeland Security, implemented through US Customs and Border Protection, was published in the Federal Register on 10 August 2026 and took effect on 9 September 2026. It changes how the 9-11 Biometric Fee applies to "covered employers": those with 50 or more US employees, more than half of whom are in H-1B or L-1 status.

• Before the rule, the fee applied to extension petitions only when a change of employer was also requested. Now it applies to all extension-of-status petitions from covered employers.
• The fee for initial grants of status is unchanged.
• The amounts are $4,000 for H-1B petitions and $4,500 for L-1 petitions. They are set by statute, and the fee is currently scheduled to expire on 30 September 2027.
• The employer pays, not the worker. Employers that are not "covered" do not pay.

For workers, the practical effect is indirect: companies in this category may think harder about extension costs. It is worth asking your employer how the rule applies to their petition.

Social Media Screening Expands to TN, TD and Media Visas

From 1 October 2026, the State Department expanded its online presence review to three more nonimmigrant visa classes: I (foreign media representatives), TN (USMCA professionals) and TD (their dependants). Applicants in these classes are instructed to set the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to "public" or "open." The same vetting already applies to several other categories, including students (F, M), exchange visitors (J), H-1B workers and their H-4 dependants, fiance(e) visas, and religious workers.

For Canadian and Mexican professionals who use TN status, this is the notable change: profiles that were private will need to be visible during the application process.

USCIS Fee Adjustments From Mid-October

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, USCIS applies an annual inflation adjustment to certain fees. Law-firm summaries of the fiscal year 2027 notice report modest increases for humanitarian-related filings, for example the parole fee (Form I-131) rising from $1,020 to $1,050, initial asylum, parole and TPS work-permit fees (Form I-765) from $560 to $570, and the TPS application fee (Form I-821) from $510 to $520. Several fees are unchanged. Reports indicate the new amounts apply to filings from about 16 October 2026, and that applications with the wrong fee will be rejected. These fees mostly affect asylum, parole and TPS filers rather than typical work-visa applicants, and the exact amounts and dates should be confirmed in the Federal Register notice or on the USCIS fee schedule before filing.

What to Do With This Information

• Waiting for a green card: check your category and country in the October bulletin, and confirm with your attorney which chart applies to your filing month.
• On H-1B or L-1: ask your employer whether they are a covered employer under the new fee rule.
• Applying for TN, TD or I status: review your social media privacy settings before your appointment.
• Filing any USCIS form after mid-October: verify the current fee on the USCIS fee schedule on the day you file.

US immigration rules change frequently and individual cases differ. This article is general information, not legal advice; for decisions about your own case, consult a licensed immigration attorney.

Official and Primary Sources

• US Department of State — Visa Bulletin for October 2026
• US Department of State — Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants
• Federal Register — 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for H-1B and L-1 Visas (final rule)
• USCIS — Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin
• Morgan Lewis — October 2026 Visa Bulletin analysis
• Manifest Law — USCIS FY 2027 fee inflation adjustment