Visa Bulletin updates released October 22, 2026, show which family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visa applicants may receive permanent residence numbers or begin submitting required documents during November.
The U.S. Department of State’s November 2026 Visa Bulletin separates eligibility into two charts: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications.
Final Action Dates control when an immigrant visa may be issued or a green card case may be approved, while Dates for Filing generally identify when applicants may begin assembling and submitting documentation.
Applicants seeking adjustment of status inside the United States must also check the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website to determine which chart USCIS permits for November filings.
Table of Contents
What the November 2026 Visa Bulletin changes
The Visa Bulletin covers immigrant visa availability for the second month of fiscal year 2027.
It uses priority dates to rank applicants in numerically limited family-sponsored and employment-based categories.
A priority date earlier than the applicable cutoff date generally satisfies the timing requirement for the category and country of chargeability shown in the chart.
A “C” means the category is current, allowing qualified applicants to proceed regardless of priority date, while a “U” means numbers are not authorized.
The State Department said allocations were made, as far as possible, in chronological order based on demand reported through October 5, 2026.
China-mainland born, India, Mexico and the Philippines remain the oversubscribed chargeability areas identified in the Visa Bulletin.
Family-sponsored Final Action Dates for November
The following dates apply to family-sponsored preference cases when immigrant visa numbers may be authorized.
| Category | All other areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | January 22, 2021 | January 22, 2021 | January 22, 2021 | September 22, 2008 | November 1, 2013 |
| F2A | October 22, 2026 | October 22, 2026 | October 22, 2026 | April 22, 2026 | October 22, 2026 |
| F2B | August 22, 2020 | August 22, 2020 | August 22, 2020 | May 15, 2010 | October 1, 2013 |
| F3 | October 22, 2015 | October 22, 2015 | October 22, 2015 | July 15, 2001 | July 22, 2006 |
| F4 | October 22, 2012 | October 22, 2012 | December 15, 2006 | April 22, 2001 | May 15, 2008 |
F1 covers unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
F2A covers spouses and children of lawful permanent residents, while F2B covers unmarried sons and daughters age 21 or older of permanent residents.
F3 covers married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and F4 covers brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.
The F2A category receives special treatment in November because some numbers are exempt from the per-country limit.
For applicants from all countries, F2A numbers exempt from that limit are available for priority dates earlier than April 22, 2026.
For most countries other than Mexico, numbers subject to the per-country limit are available for dates beginning April 22, 2026, and earlier than October 22, 2026.
All F2A numbers allocated to Mexico are exempt from the per-country limit under the Visa Bulletin’s November instructions.
Family-sponsored Dates for Filing
The Visa Bulletin’s Dates for Filing chart allows applicants with earlier priority dates to begin the document-submission process after receiving instructions from the National Visa Center.
| Category | All other areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | February 1, 2021 | February 1, 2021 | February 1, 2021 | December 1, 2008 | April 22, 2015 |
| F2A | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| F2B | September 1, 2020 | September 1, 2020 | September 1, 2020 | March 22, 2011 | October 1, 2014 |
| F3 | November 1, 2015 | November 1, 2015 | November 1, 2015 | December 1, 2002 | October 22, 2006 |
| F4 | November 1, 2012 | November 1, 2012 | February 1, 2007 | April 30, 2001 | March 22, 2009 |
F2A is current on the Dates for Filing chart for every listed chargeability area.
That designation does not by itself guarantee immediate approval or issuance, because applicants must still meet all other eligibility and procedural requirements.
Employment-based Final Action Dates
The employment-based chart sets the November dates for priority workers, advanced-degree and exceptional-ability professionals, skilled workers, other workers, special immigrants and employment-based investors.
| Category | All other areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | August 1, 2023 | February 1, 2023 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | April 1, 2025 | October 1, 2021 | November 1, 2013 | April 1, 2025 | April 1, 2025 |
| EB-3 | June 15, 2024 | January 22, 2022 | January 22, 2014 | June 15, 2024 | August 15, 2023 |
| Other Workers | June 1, 2022 | October 1, 2019 | January 22, 2014 | June 1, 2022 | January 1, 2022 |
| EB-4 | December 15, 2022 | December 15, 2022 | December 15, 2022 | December 15, 2022 | December 15, 2022 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Current | December 1, 2016 | December 1, 2023 | Current | Current |
The EB-5 set-aside categories for rural projects, high-unemployment areas and infrastructure projects are current for all listed chargeability areas under the November Visa Bulletin.
The Visa Bulletin also says the fiscal year 2027 reduction of EB-3 Other Worker numbers under NACARA will be limited to approximately 150 numbers.
Certain Religious Worker cases use the same December 15, 2022 Final Action Date listed for the broader EB-4 category.
Employment-based Dates for Filing
| Category | All other areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | July 1, 2024 | July 1, 2024 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | March 15, 2026 | January 1, 2023 | January 15, 2015 | March 15, 2026 | March 15, 2026 |
| EB-3 | August 1, 2024 | April 1, 2024 | January 15, 2015 | August 1, 2024 | January 1, 2024 |
| Other Workers | July 1, 2022 | October 1, 2020 | January 15, 2015 | July 1, 2022 | June 1, 2022 |
| EB-4 | January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2025 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Current | March 1, 2021 | May 1, 2024 | Current | Current |
All three EB-5 set-aside filing categories are current across the listed chargeability areas.
What applicants should do next
Identify the preference category, country of chargeability and priority date connected to the immigrant petition.
Compare the priority date with both the Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing charts in the November Visa Bulletin.
If filing Form I-485 from inside the United States, confirm on the USCIS visa bulletin information page which chart applies for November 2026.
If processing through a U.S. consulate, follow National Visa Center instructions and submit documents only after receiving the applicable notification.
Review the complete filing requirements before sending an adjustment-of-status or immigrant-visa application, because a current date does not remove other eligibility requirements.
Applicants should also monitor later bulletins because cutoff dates can advance, remain unchanged, retrogress or become unavailable if demand changes or annual limits are reached.
Special immigrant visa notice
The Visa Bulletin repeats a notice concerning certain current and former U.S. government employees abroad and some surviving spouses and children who seek special immigrant visas or adjustment of status under the relevant Immigration and Nationality Act provision.
The notice does not affect certain Iraqi and Afghan applicants seeking SQ and SI special immigrant visas.
Applicants in the affected government-employee categories should contact the consular section where they filed Form DS-1884 for case-specific information.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the November 2026 Visa Bulletin released?
The Department of State published the November 2026 Visa Bulletin on October 22, 2026.
What is the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing?
Final Action Dates generally determine when an immigrant visa may be issued or a case may be approved. Dates for Filing generally indicate when eligible applicants may begin submitting required documents, subject to the applicable agency’s instructions.
Can adjustment-of-status applicants use the Dates for Filing chart?
Only if USCIS designates that chart for November 2026. Applicants should check the USCIS visa bulletin information page before filing Form I-485.
Is F2A current for November 2026?
F2A is current for every listed chargeability area on the Dates for Filing chart, but its Final Action Date is October 22, 2026 for most areas and the Philippines, and April 22, 2026 for Mexico.
What does a priority date earlier than the cutoff mean?
It generally means the applicant meets the Visa Bulletin timing requirement for that category and country, assuming all other immigration and filing requirements are satisfied.
Fact-Checked: The cutoff dates and procedural information were checked against the U.S. Department of State’s November 2026 Visa Bulletin and the official USCIS visa bulletin guidance page.
Disclaimer: This article is general information and is not legal advice. Applicants should verify the applicable chart and filing requirements with USCIS, the National Visa Center or a qualified immigration attorney.
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