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The U.S. Department of State released its Visa Bulletin for November 2026, which provides updated priority date cutoffs for individuals seeking permanent residence in the United States.
November brings generally positive movement, particularly in the EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based categories. However, most Dates for Filing remain unchanged, meaning that while some applicants may be closer to green card approval, the advances do not necessarily expand eligibility to file new applications.
USCIS has confirmed that applicants filing for adjustment of status in November may continue using the Dates for Filing charts. Applicants should review the USCIS Visa Bulletin page to confirm their eligibility before filing.
November 2026 Visa Bulletin Summary
Family-based: November brings forward movement across several family-sponsored categories. F-1, F-2B, F-3, and F-4 advance by approximately one year for most countries under the Final Action Dates chart, while F-2A moves forward by one month. Most family-based Dates for Filing remain unchanged, although F-1 and F-4 advance for several countries.
Employment-based: EB-2 advances three months for most countries, Mexico, and the Philippines, while EB-3 advances one month for most countries and Mexico. China and India also see modest EB-3 movement, and China's EB-1 category advances by one month. Most employment-based Dates for Filing remain unchanged.
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If you’re already familiar with those terms, scroll down to our summary of key developments or to the filing category that’s most relevant to you:
Family-based categories
- F-1: Unmarried Children (Age 21 and Older) of U.S. Citizens
- F-2A: Spouses and Unmarried Children (Under Age 21) of U.S. Green Card Holders
- F-2B: Unmarried Children (Age 21 or Older) of U.S. Green Card Holders
- F-3: Married Children of U.S. Citizens
- F-4: Siblings of U.S. Citizens
Employment-based categories
- EB-1: Extraordinary People, Outstanding Researchers and Professors, and Multinational Executives and Managers
- EB-2: Exceptional People and Advanced Degree Holders
- EB-3: Bachelor’s Degree Holders, Skilled Workers, and Unskilled Workers
- EB-4: Special Immigrants
- EB-5: Investors
Family-Based Green Card Backlogs
F-1: Unmarried Children (Age 21 and Older) of U.S. Citizens
F-2A: Spouses and Unmarried Children (Under Age 21) of U.S. Green Card Holders
F-2B: Unmarried Children (Age 21 or Older) of U.S. Green Card Holders
F-3: Married Children of U.S. Citizens
F-4: Siblings of U.S. Citizens
Employment-Based Green Card Backlogs
EB-1: Extraordinary People, Outstanding Researchers and Professors, and Multinational Executives and Managers
EB-2: Exceptional People and Advanced Degree Holders
EB-3: Skilled Worker or Professional
EB-3: Other Worker
EB-4: "Special Immigrants" Category
EB-5: "Investors" Category
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What is my priority date? This is usually the date your green card application petition was initially filed. Check your paperwork or consult with an immigration attorney if you’re unsure.
What if my country has a backlog? Some countries have longer wait times than others due to high demand. This means cut-off dates may move slower and sometimes even go backward (this is called retrogression).
How long will I have to wait? Unfortunately, the Visa Bulletin can’t give you an exact answer. The wait time depends on your category and country backlog. It’s helpful to track patterns in your category over multiple months to get a better sense.
The Visa Bulletin can be confusing. We’ve put together a guide to help you understand it and find your priority date: How to Read the Visa Bulletin.
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