November 2026 Visa Bulletin: Key Changes for Employment-Based and Family-Sponsored Categories

The U.S. Department of State has released the November 2026 Visa Bulletin, announcing several significant changes to employment-based and family-sponsored immigrant visa categories.

This month’s bulletin features one-year advancements in several family-sponsored categories for Worldwide, China, and India, alongside more modest employment-based gains. No retrogressions are reported.

Which Chart Will USCIS Use in November 2026?

For November 2026, USCIS will use the Dates for Filing chart for both:

Family-sponsored preference categories
Employment-based preference categories

Eligible applicants may use these charts to determine whether they can file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

The Final Action Dates chart continues to determine when immigrant visas are available for final approval.

November 2026 Visa Bulletin: Key Highlights

Employment-Based Categories

Category	Major Change
EB-1 China	Final Action advances 1 month to August 1, 2023
EB-2 Worldwide, Mexico & Philippines	Final Action advances 3 months to April 1, 2025
EB-3 India	Final Action advances 3 weeks to January 22, 2014
EB-3 China	Final Action advances 2 weeks to January 22, 2022
EB-3 Worldwide & Mexico	Final Action advances 1 month to June 15, 2024
EB-3 Other Workers – India	Final Action advances 3 weeks to January 22, 2014
EB-3 Other Workers – Worldwide & Mexico	Final Action advances 5 months to June 1, 2022; Dates for Filing advances 1 month to July 1, 2022

Notable: Most employment-based Dates for Filing remain unchanged. EB-5 set-aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) remain current, and no retrogressions are reported. Except China and India, EB-1 remains current for both charts.

Family-Sponsored Categories

Category	Major Change
F1 Worldwide, China & India	Final Action advances 1 year to January 22, 2021; Dates for Filing advances 1 year to February 1, 2021
F1 Mexico	Final Action advances 2 weeks to September 22, 2008
F2A Mexico	Final Action advances 1 month to April 22, 2026
F2A Worldwide, China, India & Philippines	Final Action advances 1 month to October 22, 2026
F2B Worldwide, China & India	Final Action advances 1 year to August 22, 2020; Dates for Filing advances 1 year to September 1, 2020
F3 Worldwide, China & India	Final Action advances 1 year to October 22, 2015; Dates for Filing advances 1 year to November 1, 2015
F3 Mexico	Final Action advances 2 weeks to July 15, 2001
F4 Worldwide & China	Final Action advances 1 year to October 22, 2012; Dates for Filing advances 1 year to November 1, 2012

Notable: The largest advancements occur across Worldwide, China, and India, with one-year gains in F1, F2B, F3, and F4. Mexico experiences smaller Final Action advancements in F1, F2A, and F3. All F2A Dates for Filing remain current.

Employment-Based Visa Bulletin Changes

The following comparison shows the movement in employment-based Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing between October and November 2026.

Family-Sponsored Visa Bulletin Changes

The following comparison highlights the movement in family-sponsored Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing between October and November 2026.

Check Your Priority Date

Applicants should review the applicable Visa Bulletin chart for their immigrant visa category and country of chargeability.

A priority date generally must be earlier than the listed cutoff date to qualify under that chart, subject to all other eligibility requirements. For the month of November, adjustment of status applicants may use the Dates for Filing chart.

Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-483-4549 or call 619-819-9204.

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