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Perplexity ChatGPT Claude Gemini

November 2026 Visa Bulletin: Family Dates Leap a Full Year as Employment Categories Inch Ahead

Perplexity ChatGPT Claude Gemini
November 2026 Visa Bulletin: Family Dates Leap a Full Year as Employment Categories Inch Ahead

On October 22, 2026, the State Department released the November 2026 Visa Bulletin. Manifest Law notes that family-based applicants saw “the biggest gains,” with F1, F2B, F3 and F4 final action dates advancing a full year for most countries. Murthy Law Firm offered a one-line summary: “Several employment-based and family-based cutoff dates advance, while others remain unchanged.” It is the second bulletin of fiscal year 2027. The State Department made its allocations based on demand received by October 5. Tune with us as our EB-1A consultants analyze and comment on the November visa bulletin.

Family categories: the big story

F1 final action dates for the rest of the world, China and India moved from January 22, 2020 to January 22, 2021. Mexico advanced two weeks to September 22, 2008, and the Philippines stayed at November 1, 2013. F4 final action dates also jumped a year, to October 22, 2012, for the rest of the world and China. India’s F4 date is December 15, 2006, Mexico’s is April 22, 2001, and the Philippines’ is May 15, 2008.

F2B and F3 moved forward as well. The bulletin now lists F2B at August 22, 2020 and F3 at October 22, 2015 for the rest of the world, China and India. Mexico stands at May 15, 2010 in F2B and July 15, 2001 in F3. The Philippines stands at October 1, 2013 and July 22, 2006.

F2A, for spouses and children of permanent residents, moved more modestly. The final action date advanced one month to October 22, 2026 for every country except Mexico, whose date moved to April 22, 2026. F2A filing dates remain current for all countries. The bulletin adds that F2A numbers exempt from the per-country limit go to applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than April 22, 2026.

Employment categories: slow, steady gains

Capitol Immigration Law Group described the employment side as “Minor Forward Movement in Final Action Dates as Filing Dates Hold Steady.” The details bear that out.

  • In EB-1, China advanced one month to August 1, 2023, while India stays at February 1, 2023. The rest of the world, Mexico and the Philippines remain current.
  • In EB-2, the rest of the world, Mexico and the Philippines advanced three months to April 1, 2025. China remains at October 1, 2021 and India at November 1, 2013.
  • EB-3 saw small gains. The rest of the world and Mexico moved one month to June 15, 2024. China advanced two weeks to January 22, 2022, and India advanced three weeks to January 22, 2014. The Philippines holds at August 15, 2023.
  • The largest employment jump was in EB-3 Other Workers. That date moved five months to June 1, 2022 for the rest of the world and Mexico, and India advanced three weeks. EB-4 and EB-5 final action dates did not move for any country. EB-4 sits at December 15, 2022 everywhere. EB-5 unreserved is current for the rest of the world, Mexico and the Philippines, while China stands at December 1, 2016 and India at December 1, 2023.

Filing dates and the USCIS chart

The bulletin has two charts for each category. Final action dates show when a visa number can be issued, while dates for filing show when applicants may begin assembling documents. Most filing dates did not move this month. The one exception was EB-3 Other Workers, which advanced a month to July 1, 2022 for the rest of the world and Mexico.

For adjustment of status, the chart that counts is set by USCIS. Unless USCIS says otherwise, applicants must use the final action dates charts. USCIS may allow the dates for filing charts when it finds more visas available than known applicants. Manifest Law reports that USCIS confirmed all green card applicants must use the dates for filing chart in November. That announcement came late in the day, and Immiva noted that as of October 22 the agency’s page still showed November as “coming soon.” Applicants should check USCIS’s page directly before filing.

What the numbers do and do not promise

A final action date is not a general measure of waiting time. For an oversubscribed category, it is the priority date of the first applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits. China, India, Mexico and the Philippines remain oversubscribed. The law sets a family minimum of 226,000 visas and an employment-based level of at least 140,000. Each country is capped at 7 percent of the total, or 25,620.

The State Department also warns that if an annual limit were ever reached, a category would become unavailable immediately. Immiva notes that the bulletin carries no new retrogression warning, but a one-year family jump is “not a promise that December will do the same.”

What applicants should do now

Applicants should compare their priority date with the November chart that applies to them. An Indian EB-2 applicant, for instance, needs a priority date earlier than November 1, 2013 on the final action chart. The family categories are where waiting applicants have the most reason for optimism.

At GCEB1, our EB-1A experts are staying tuned to all the updates and developments in the US immigration landscape. Get in touch with us for personalized guidance into merit based immigration. We wish you a safe and stress free immigration journey ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Visa Bulletin?

It is a monthly State Department publication that lists when immigrant visa numbers are available by category and country.

2. When was the November 2026 bulletin released?

It was released on October 22, 2026.

3. What is the difference between the two charts?

Final action dates show when a visa can be issued. Dates for filing show when applicants may begin preparing their applications.

4. Which chart does USCIS use for November?

Manifest Law reports USCIS confirmed the dates for filing chart for all green card applicants. Check USCIS’s page before filing.

5. What changed in the family categories?

F1, F2B, F3 and F4 final action dates advanced about a full year for most countries, and F2A advanced a month.

6. What changed in employment-based categories?

Movement was modest: EB-1 China, EB-2 for most countries, EB-3 and EB-3 Other Workers advanced, while EB-4 and EB-5 did not move.

7. Did India and China move?

India advanced only in EB-3 and EB-3 Other Workers. China advanced in EB-1 and EB-3. Both advanced a year in F1 and F4 (China), with India’s F4 unchanged at December 15, 2006 (U.S. Department of State 2026).

8. What do “C” and “U” mean?

“C” means current, with numbers available to all qualified applicants. “U” means unauthorized, with no numbers available (U.S. Department of State 2026).

9. Could dates move backward?

Yes. Dates can retrogress, and a category becomes unavailable if its annual limit is reached (U.S. Department of State 2026). There is no retrogression warning this month (Immiva 2026).

Sources & further readings

 

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