October 2026 Visa Bulletin: Philippines EB-3 Moves Forward

Positive news for Filipino nurses pursuing a U.S. career: the October 2026 Visa Bulletin advances the Philippines EB-3 Final Action Date by two weeks. The cutoff is now August 15, 2023, compared with August 1 in September. The Dates for Filing cutoff remains January 1, 2024. See the October bulletin and September comparison.

For nurses balancing shifts, family commitments, and overseas plans, this update is an opportunity to review the steps ahead. Confirm your case position with your employer or immigration representative, then give any outstanding English-test preparation a clear direction.

The October 2026 Philippines EB-3 dates

• Final Action Date: August 15, 2023. This date advanced two weeks.
• Dates for Filing: January 1, 2024. This date is unchanged.

These dates apply to the skilled-worker and professional EB-3 category. A priority date must be earlier than the applicable cutoff. Final action concerns visa availability; the filing chart concerns document submission. For National Visa Center processing, follow the notification and instructions for your case. Official dates and instructions.

Your English-test preparation for VisaScreen

Many Filipino nurses preparing for a U.S. career also work toward their English-proficiency requirement. TruMerit's VisaScreen service includes English-proficiency screening, and Academic IELTS, PTE Academic, and MET are among its accepted exams. Confirm the required scores and applicable requirements for your profession using the current VisaScreen guidance.

Once you know your chosen exam and target scores, preparation becomes more specific. You can identify the skills to work on, choose suitable practice, and measure your progress toward that target.

Turn your U.S. goal into a practical study plan

A nursing schedule can make consistent study challenging. A useful plan should fit the time you have and help you decide what each session is for. Begin with three questions:

1. What result do I need? Write down your chosen exam and required overall and component scores. Keep that target visible when planning your practice.
2. Where am I now? Use an assessment to identify your strengths and the areas that need attention. Look at individual skills as well as the overall result.
3. What can I practice this week? Choose realistic study sessions around your shifts and commitments. Give each session a specific task.

For example, if writing needs improvement, one session might focus on understanding the question and organizing the response. Another could involve studying a sample answer, writing your own response, and using feedback to improve it. For speaking, allow time to answer aloud, review your response, and practice the skill you want to strengthen.

A clear plan makes the next session easier to begin. You know which material to open, what to practice, and what progress to look for afterward.

Prepare with the Lexis Success Package

The Lexis Success Package brings preparation for your chosen IELTS, PTE, or MET exam into one place. Your 90-day access includes:

• A readiness check and personal study plan.
• Self-paced masterclasses to learn exam-specific approaches.
• Practice Studio with explanations and feedback.
• Sample Writing and Speaking responses.
• Five full AI-scored mock exams with detailed feedback.

Use the study plan to set your direction, the masterclasses and samples to understand the approach, and Practice Studio to work on particular skills. Full mock exams provide timed practice and feedback to help you review your progress.

You can study around your schedule and return to the areas that need more attention. Whether your next step is a writing response, a speaking task, or a full assessment, your preparation has a clear purpose.

Start your preparation at the October price

The Success Package is ₱3,500 through October 31, 2026 for 90-day access to your chosen exam. The price becomes ₱3,999 on November 1.

The October Visa Bulletin gives us positive movement to report. Use the update to review your next steps with your case team and move your English preparation forward with a practical plan.

Your U.S. goal deserves preparation with a purpose. Explore the Lexis Success Package.