September 30, 2026 marks the final day of the U.S. fiscal year, and for thousands of visa applicants, it represents a hard deadline with no extension. Diversity visa selectees who do not complete the visa issuance process by that date become ineligible permanently, and employment-based applicants face category closures that reset only when fiscal year 2027 begins. Several critical changes also take effect September 18, 2026—just two weeks before fiscal year end—including new immigration forms and a significantly broader public charge rule that could affect green card eligibility.
Table of Contents
- Diversity Visa Applicants Face Permanent Loss of Eligibility
- Employment-Based Categories Close or Retrogress
- Form Change and Rejection Rule Take Effect September 18
- Public Charge Rule Expansion Begins September 18
- What to Do Before the Deadline
- Frequently Asked Questions
Diversity Visa Applicants Face Permanent Loss of Eligibility
All DV-2026 diversity visa selectees must complete visa issuance by September 30, 2026, according to the U.S. Department of State. Unlike employment-based visas, which may become available again in a new fiscal year, a diversity visa has no second opportunity after September 30—selectees and their family members become permanently ineligible if they have not received a visa by that date.
Approximately 129,516 DV-2026 selectees from over 20.8 million applicants worldwide must navigate consular processing or green card adjustment in the remaining 14 days. Visa numbers may also exhaust before September 30, making the deadline even tighter.
Consulates have no authority to extend timelines for administrative delays, medical backlogs, or other processing obstacles. DV applicants in any stage—whether awaiting a consular interview, final medical examination, or background clearance—should contact their consulate immediately to confirm they will complete by fiscal year end.
Employment-Based Categories Close or Retrogress
Employment-based applicants face their own September 30 deadline. EB-2 India is entirely unavailable for immigrant visa issuance and green card adjustment through September 30, 2026, meaning no Indian nationals in the EB-2 category can file after that date until visa numbers reset on October 1 for fiscal year 2027.
EB-1 India and EB-5 unreserved categories also risk becoming unavailable before September 30 if demand exhausts annual allocations. The employment-based backlog for Indian nationals is substantial. EB-1 priority dates for India stand at October 15, 2022, meaning applicants with priority dates after that point cannot file for green cards before fiscal year end. Those unable to proceed now must consult their immigration attorney about whether filing by September 30 is feasible or whether they must wait for fiscal year 2027, when priority dates will move forward.
Form Change and Rejection Rule Take Effect September 18
A new version of the I-485 form (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) becomes required on September 18, 2026. USCIS will automatically reject applications using the 01/20/25 edition postmarked or electronically submitted on September 18 or later, returning them without processing.
Applicants preparing to file before fiscal year end must verify they are using the new 09/18/26 edition. This change affects both employment-based and family-sponsored applicants filing before September 30. USCIS applications submitted electronically must use the correct edition to be accepted, and mailed applications postmarked on or after September 18 using an old form will be returned by mail without further processing. Attorneys and applicants should confirm the form edition immediately before filing.
Public Charge Rule Expansion Begins September 18
A new federal public charge rule takes effect September 18, 2026, giving immigration officers broader discretion to deny green cards based on any means-tested benefit received, according to the Federal Register. Prior to this date, officers could only consider cash assistance and long-term institutionalization; the new standard allows consideration of all pertinent facts about an applicant's likelihood to become a public charge at any time.
Any means-tested public benefit sought or received on or after September 18, 2026, may be weighed in green card decisions and potentially cause denial. Benefits received before September 18 are evaluated under the narrower 2022 standard, creating a two-tier assessment. Applicants currently receiving SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance, or other means-tested programs should consult an immigration attorney before filing an adjustment application. For those filing before September 18, benefits received before that date will not be held against them under the new, stricter rule.
What to Do Before the Deadline
Diversity visa selectees should confirm a consular interview date or adjustment hearing with their consulate or USCIS and assess whether interview completion is possible before September 30. Employment-based applicants should verify their priority date against the current September 2026 Visa Bulletin and consult their attorney about whether filing before fiscal year end is feasible. For anyone filing adjustment of status before September 30, download and use the 09/18/26 I-485 form immediately—do not file an older edition.
Review any public benefits currently received and consult an immigration attorney about their impact under the new September 18 rule before submitting an application. Applicants should also prepare to complete any remaining steps (medical examination, security clearance, background checks) within the final 14 days, as administrative delays are not grounds for extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request an extension if my DV visa is not finalized by September 30?
No. The diversity visa program has a hard September 30 deadline. Selectees and family members become permanently ineligible after that date, regardless of processing delays. No extensions are granted.
If I miss the September 30 employment-based deadline, can I reapply in fiscal year 2027?
Employment-based categories reopen October 1, but your priority date must advance to be current enough to file. EB-1 India priority dates are currently at October 15, 2022, creating significant backlogs. Many applicants will not be eligible to file even after the new fiscal year begins.
Do benefits I receive before September 18 count against me under the new public charge rule?
No. Benefits received before September 18, 2026, are evaluated under the narrower 2022 standard. Only benefits sought or received on or after September 18 can be weighed under the new, broader rule.