US Visa Bulletin November 2026: Green Card Cut-Off Dates
The State Department has published the November 2026 Visa Bulletin, the second of fiscal year 2027. Most employment-based dates have moved forward, but many applicants still face a wait of several years.
For advice on US green card applications and consular processing, speak to one of our immigration advisers. Call us on +1 844 312 4979, or contact us online.
What Is the Latest Immigration News in the November 2026 Visa Bulletin?
The November 2026 Visa Bulletin sets the priority dates that decide who can file for, or be issued, a US immigrant visa this month. For most countries, EB-2 has advanced by three months, EB-3 by one month and F2A by one month. The Dates for Filing dates for EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 match October’s.
Allocations reflect demand received by 5 October 2026. The bulletin names China (mainland born), India, Mexico and the Philippines as oversubscribed, so each has its own dates in most categories.
The bulletin also restates the annual limits. The family-sponsored minimum is 226,000, the employment-based level is at least 140,000 and the per-country limit is 25,620.
Page Contents
- What Is the Latest Immigration News in the November 2026 Visa Bulletin?
- Employment-Based Final Action Dates for November 2026
- Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates for November 2026
- Dates for Filing Charts in the November 2026 Visa Bulletin
- Which Chart Should Applicants Use?
- What Happens if Applicants File Too Early or Miss a Date?
- How Can Applicants Prepare?
- How can IAS Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Employment-Based Final Action Dates for November 2026
Overview
An applicant’s priority date must be earlier than the date shown. “Current” means every qualified applicant can be issued a number.
| Category | All Other Countries | Change From October |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | No change |
| EB-2 | 1 April 2025 | Up 3 months |
| EB-3 | 15 June 2024 | Up 1 month |
China and India have separate dates.
| Category | China | India |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | 1 August 2023 (up 1 month) | 1 February 2023 (no change) |
| EB-2 | 1 October 2021 (no change) | 1 November 2013 (no change) |
| EB-3 | 22 January 2022 (up 14 days) | 22 January 2014 (up 21 days) |
Mexico has the same dates as all other countries in these three categories. The Philippines does too, except for EB-3, which is 15 August 2023.
Other Workers are at 1 June 2022 for most countries, 1 October 2019 for China, 22 January 2014 for India and 1 January 2022 for the Philippines. EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers are at 15 December 2022 for every country.
Unreserved EB-5 is current for most countries, 1 December 2016 for China and 1 December 2023 for India. The rural, high unemployment and infrastructure set-asides are current for every country.
What Do the Employment Dates Mean for Applicants?
EB-2 for most countries now stands at 1 April 2025, about 19 months behind today’s date. EB-3 at 15 June 2024 is more than two years behind.
The gaps are far wider for applicants born in India or China. EB-2 for India is 1 November 2013, just over 13 years back, and EB-2 for China is 1 October 2021. Neither has moved since October.
Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates for November 2026
| Category | All Other Countries | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | 22 January 2021 | 22 September 2008 |
| F2A | 22 October 2026 | 22 April 2026 |
| F2B | 22 August 2020 | 15 May 2010 |
| F3 | 22 October 2015 | 15 July 2001 |
| F4 | 22 October 2012 | 22 April 2001 |
China and India match the first column, except for India in F4, which is 15 December 2006.
The Philippines is at 1 November 2013 for F1, 22 October 2026 for F2A, 1 October 2013 for F2B, 22 July 2006 for F3 and 15 May 2008 for F4.
F2A covers spouses and children of permanent residents. It has moved forward one month, from 22 September 2026 for most countries and from 22 March 2026 for Mexico.
The F2A date has two parts this month. Numbers exempt from the per-country limit go to applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than 22 April 2026.
Numbers subject to the limit go to applicants from every country except Mexico with priority dates from 22 April 2026 to before 22 October 2026. All Mexican F2A numbers are exempt.
Dates for Filing Charts in the November 2026 Visa Bulletin
The Dates for Filing charts show when applicants can start assembling documents. F2A is current for every country, so any F2A applicant can begin regardless of priority date.
| Category | All Other Countries | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | 1 February 2021 | 1 December 2008 |
| F2B | 1 September 2020 | 22 March 2011 |
| F3 | 1 November 2015 | 1 December 2002 |
| F4 | 1 November 2012 | 30 April 2001 |
India’s F4 date is 1 February 2007. The Philippines has 22 April 2015 for F1, 1 October 2014 for F2B, 22 October 2006 for F3 and 22 March 2009 for F4.
For employment-based categories, EB-1 is current for most countries and 1 July 2024 for China and India. EB-2 is 15 March 2026 for most countries, 1 January 2023 for China and 15 January 2015 for India. EB-3 is 1 August 2024 for most countries, 1 April 2024 for China and 15 January 2015 for India.
Which Chart Should Applicants Use?
For November 2026, USCIS has confirmed that adjustment of status applicants in both family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories must use the Dates for Filing charts when submitting Form I-485.
Applicants processing through a US consulate also use the Dates for Filing charts to see when they can submit documents to the National Visa Center, once instructed.
Because USCIS reviews visa availability every month, the chart allowed in November may not apply in December. Always check USCIS’s “When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application” page before submitting your paperwork.
What Happens if Applicants File Too Early or Miss a Date?
A priority date must be earlier than the date listed for the category. An applicant whose date is later is not eligible under that chart, and an application filed too early may be rejected.
Dates can also move backwards. The bulletin says that if a final action date has to retrogress during the month, supplemental requests for numbers are honoured only if the priority date falls within the new date. If an annual limit is reached, the category becomes unavailable and no further requests are honoured.
Numbers are allocated from demand reported for documentarily qualified applicants. Applicants with missing documents when their date arrives can lose months.
How Can Applicants Prepare?
Applicants should compare their priority date with both charts each month and read the USCIS page before filing. Civil documents such as birth and marriage certificates are best gathered before a date arrives. The December 2026 bulletin may move dates again, in either direction.
Employers and HR teams can support sponsored workers in the same way. If staff have priority dates approaching a filing date, check that passports, civil documents, employment letters and evidence of immigration status are up to date well in advance.
A document that has expired or needs replacing takes time to obtain, so early checks leave room to have everything prepared.
How IAS Immigration Lawyers Can Help You Choose and Apply for Citizenship
The November 2026 Visa Bulletin affects when green card applicants can file or be approved. Mistakes are easy to make. An applicant can use the wrong chart or reach the front of the queue with an incomplete case.
Either error can cost months in a system where dates sometimes move backwards.
Our advisers can check your priority date against the new charts and confirm which one applies to your case. We prepare your documents and forms, then review the whole application before it is filed, so it is ready as soon as your date allows. We can also explain each monthly change and what it means for you.
For advice tailored to your circumstances, call us on +1 844 312 4979, or contact us online today.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.
Last modified on November 6th, 2026 at 8:50 am
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