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US Visa Bulletin Updates for November 2026
The U.S. Department of State has released the November 2026 Visa Bulletin, bringing changes to several family-sponsored and employment-based green card categories. The latest bulletin shows progress in some employment-based categories, while important backlogs continue for Indian applicants under EB-2 and EB-3.
For November 2026, the EB-3 India Final Action Date has advanced to January 22, 2014, while EB-2 India remains unchanged at November 1, 2013. Applicants from other countries will also see movement in selected employment-based categories.
The November bulletin is particularly important for applicants waiting for their U.S. Green Cards, as it provides updated priority dates for filing applications and receiving final visa approval.
What is the “US Visa Bulletin”?
The Visa Bulletin is a monthly report from the US Department of State. US law limits how many family-based and employment-based green cards can be issued each year, and also caps the share any one country can get. When more people apply than there are visas, a waiting line forms. The bulletin shows how far that line has moved.
Your place in line is your priority date. For family cases, this is usually the date USCIS received your I-130 petition. For most employment cases, it is the date your PERM labor certification was filed, or your I-140 date if no PERM was needed.
Final Action Dates vs Dates for Filing
Each bulletin has two charts:
| Chart | What it means | When you can use it |
| Final Action Dates | A green card or immigrant visa can actually be approved | Your priority date is earlier than the listed date |
| Dates for Filing | You can submit your application early and wait in line | Your priority date is earlier than the listed date, and USCIS allows this chart for the month |
If you are applying from inside the US (Form I-485), USCIS says each month which chart to use on its Adjustment of Status Filing Charts page. If you are applying through a US consulate abroad, the National Visa Center uses the Dates for Filing chart to ask for your documents.
November 2026 Visa Bulletin Charts
The November 2026 Visa Bulletin also includes updated priority dates for family-sponsored immigrant visa categories. These categories cover eligible family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored
| Family-Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 22-Jan-21 | 22-Jan-21 | 22-Jan-21 | 22-Sep-08 | 01-Nov-13 |
| F2A | 22-Oct-26 | 22-Oct-26 | 22-Oct-26 | 22-Apr-26 | 22-Oct-26 |
| F2B | 22-Aug-20 | 22-Aug-20 | 22-Aug-20 | 15-May-10 | 01-Oct-13 |
| F3 | 22-Oct-15 | 22-Oct-15 | 22-Oct-15 | 15-Jul-01 | 22-Jul-06 |
| F4 | 22-Oct-12 | 22-Oct-12 | 15-Dec-06 | 22-Apr-01 | 15-May-08 |
Family-Sponsored: Dates of Filing
| Family-Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01-Feb-21 | 01-Feb-21 | 01-Feb-21 | 01-Dec-08 | 22-Apr-15 |
| F2A | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 01-Sep-20 | 01-Sep-20 | 01-Sep-20 | 22-Mar-11 | 01-Oct-14 |
| F3 | 01-Nov-15 | 01-Nov-15 | 01-Nov-15 | 01-Dec-02 | 22-Oct-06 |
| F4 | 01-Nov-12 | 01-Nov-12 | 01-Feb-07 | 30-Apr-01 | 22-Mar-09 |
“C” means current: everyone in that category can proceed. “U” means unavailable: no visas can be issued that month.
What do the Family-Based Categories Mean?
- F1: Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- F2A: Spouses and children of lawful permanent residents.
- F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older of lawful permanent residents.
- F3: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- F4: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.
Note: The F2A category is particularly notable because it is Current in the Dates for Filing chart for all listed countries in November 2026.
Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases
| Employment-Based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland Born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01-Aug-23 | 01-Feb-23 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01-Apr-25 | 01-Oct-21 | 01-Nov-13 | 01-Apr-25 | 01-Apr-25 |
| 3rd | 15-Jun-24 | 22-Jan-22 | 22-Jan-14 | 15-Jun-24 | 15-Aug-23 |
| Other Workers | 01-Jun-22 | 01-Oct-19 | 22-Jan-14 | 01-Jun-22 | 01-Jan-22 |
| 4th | 15-Dec-22 | 15-Dec-22 | 15-Dec-22 | 15-Dec-22 | 15-Dec-22 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 15-Dec-22 | 15-Dec-22 | 15-Dec-22 | 15-Dec-22 | 15-Dec-22 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) | C | 01-Dec-16 | 01-Dec-23 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%, including NR, RR) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%, including NH, RH) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%, including RI) | C | C | C | C | C |
Dates for Filing of Employment-Based Visa Applications
| Employment-based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-Mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01-Jul-24 | 01-Jul-24 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15-Mar-26 | 01-Jan-23 | 15-Jan-15 | 15-Mar-26 | 15-Mar-26 |
| 3rd | 01-Aug-24 | 01-Apr-24 | 15-Jan-15 | 01-Aug-24 | 01-Jan-24 |
| Other Workers | 01-Jul-22 | 01-Oct-20 | 15-Jan-15 | 01-Jul-22 | 01-Jun-22 |
| 4th | 01-Jan-25 | 01-Jan-25 | 01-Jan-25 | 01-Jan-25 | 01-Jan-25 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01-Jan-25 | 01-Jan-25 | 01-Jan-25 | 01-Jan-25 | 01-Jan-25 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) | C | 01-Mar-21 | 01-May-24 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Rural: NR, RR – 20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment: NH, RH – 10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure: RI – 2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
What Changed in November 2026?
The following comparison uses the Final Action Dates from the October and November 2026 U.S. Visa Bulletins. It highlights the changes in key employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
| Category | Country | 01-Oct-26 | 01-Nov-26 | Change |
| EB-2 | India | 01-Nov-13 | 01-Nov-13 | No change |
| EB-3 | India | 01-Jan-14 | 22-Jan-14 | Advanced by 3 weeks |
| EB-1 | India | 01-Feb-23 | 01-Feb-23 | No change |
| EB-2 | China | 01-Oct-21 | 01-Oct-21 | No change |
| EB-3 | All Countries* | 15-May-24 | 15-Jun-24 | Advanced by 1 month |
| F2A | All Countries* | 22-Sep-26 | 22-Oct-26 | Advanced by 1 month |
| F4 | India | 15-Dec-06 | 15-Dec-06 | No change |
Key Updates for Indian Applicants:
– EB-2 India: No change. The Final Action Date remains November 1, 2013.
– EB-3 India: Advanced by three weeks, moving from January 1, 2014, to January 22, 2014.
– EB-1 India: No change. The Final Action Date remains February 1, 2023.
– Family categories for India: F1 advanced by one year, from January 22, 2020, to January 22, 2021. F3 advanced by one year, from October 22, 2014, to October 22, 2015. F4 remains unchanged at December 15, 2006.
📢 Notes from the State Department
The November 2026 Visa Bulletin does not announce a new retrogression warning for the listed employment-based categories. The EB-5 Rural, High Unemployment and Infrastructure set-aside categories remain Current for all listed countries. The Department of State also notes that the reduction in the EB-3 Other Workers annual limit under NACARA will be approximately 150 visas for Fiscal Year 2027.
*Important note: These comparisons use Final Action Dates, not Dates for Filing. Applicants should check the appropriate chart before making filing decisions.
How to Check Your U.S. Green Card Priority Date?
Applicants can check their priority dates against the November 2026 Visa Bulletin by following these steps:1
- Find your priority date: It’s on your I-797 approval notice for Form I-130 or I-140.
- Find your category: For example, EB-2, EB-3 or F2A. It’s also on your approval notice.
- Find your country of chargeability: This is usually your country of birth, not your citizenship.
- Check which chart applies: Inside the US, follow the USCIS filing chart for the month. Through a consulate, use the Final Action Dates for the visa interview.
- Compare the dates: If your priority date is earlier than the date in your row, your date is current. If the cell says “C”, you’re current too.
- Take the next step: Inside the US, file or follow up on Form I-485. Abroad, respond to the National Visa Center and wait for your interview.
Resources for Applicants
- S. Department of State Website (https://www.state.gov/): For the latest information on visa processing and the Visa Bulletin.
- S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Website (https://www.uscis.gov/): For information on whether applicants can use the “Dates for Filing” chart.
- US Embassies Worldwide
- US Consulates Worldwide
- USA Immigration
- List of USA Visa Application Centre
- List of Passport Agencies / Post offices in USA
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When is the Visa Bulletin released each month?
- Usually in the middle of the month before it applies. The December 2026 bulletin should come out around mid-November 2026.
2. What does “retrogression” mean?
- It means a cutoff date moved backward. This happens when demand is higher than the visas left for the year. Applicants who were current may have to wait again.
3. Why do India and China have different dates?
- No single country can get more than 7% of the yearly family and employment green cards. India and China have very high demand, so their lines move more slowly.
4. Does my priority date change if I switch jobs?
- In most cases, you can keep your earlier priority date once your I-140 is approved, even with a new employer. Check with an immigration attorney for your case.
5. When does the US fiscal year start?
- October 1. Visa numbers reset then, so October bulletins often show big moves.
6. Where can I see the official bulletin?
- On the US Department of State’s Visa Bulletin page.
Conclusion
The U.S. Visa Bulletin for November 2026 provides important information for applicants waiting for green cards. It outlines the availability of immigrant numbers for various categories and the priority dates for filing applications. Applicants should carefully review the charts to understand their eligibility and the procedures for filing.