October 2026 visa bulletin disappoints Indian applicants; EB-2 category stalled at 2013 priority dates

The October 2026 US visa bulletin has drawn criticism from Indian immigration advocates for showing little advancement. The EB-2 employment-based second preference category, which had reopened for Indian nationals, remains stuck at 2013 priority dates, offering minimal forward movement.

The overall bulletin reflects stagnation across multiple visa categories relevant to Indian applicants, with no significant progress reported across the board. This has been termed "most disappointing" by those tracking US immigration pathways for Indian citizens.