The U.S. Department of State has released the November 2026 Visa Bulletin, and it brings significant forward movement across several employment-based categories. After October’s mixed picture — which included a retrogression in EB-2 All Chargeability Areas — November offers welcome relief for many applicants, particularly those in EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3. Below is a breakdown of the key changes.
Employment-Based Preference Categories
EB-1: Priority Workers
November brings notable movement for EB-1 applicants from China and India.
• All Other Countries: Remains Current
• China: Advances to August 1, 2023
• India: Advances to February 1, 2023
These are significant jumps for both countries — China moves forward by a full year and India by more than three years compared to October.
EB-2: Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability
After retrogresssing in October, EB-2 All Chargeability Areas recovers some ground in November.
• All Other Countries: Advances to April 1, 2025 (was January 1, 2025 in October)
• China: Advances to October 1, 2021 (was November 1, 2019)
• India: Advances to November 1, 2013 (was October 1, 2012)
The advances for China and India in EB-2 are particularly meaningful — China moves nearly two years forward and India moves more than a year ahead.
EB-3: Skilled Workers and Professionals
Strong movement across EB-3 this month.
• All Other Countries: Advances to June 15, 2024
• China: Advances to January 22, 2022
• India: Advances to January 22, 2014
• Philippines: Advances to August 15, 2023
EB-3: Other Workers
This subcategory tells a different story. While EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionals advance, Other Workers sees a retrogression for All Chargeability Areas.
• All Other Countries: Retrogressses to June 1, 2022 (was October 1, 2023 in October)
• China: Remains at October 1, 2019
• India: Advances to January 22, 2014
Applicants in the Other Workers subcategory outside of India should review the new cutoff date carefully before filing.
EB-4: Certain Special Immigrants
All countries remain at December 15, 2022. No change from October.
EB-5: Immigrant Investors
EB-5 unreserved categories see the following movement:
• All Other Countries: Remains Current
• China: Advances to December 1, 2016
• India: Advances to December 1, 2023
All set-aside categories — Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure — remain Current for all countries.
Family-Based Preference Categories
November is a strong month for family-based categories across the board.
F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
• All Chargeability Areas: Advances to January 22, 2021
• Mexico: Advances to September 22, 2008
• Philippines: Retrogressses to November 1, 2013 (was October 8, 2015 in October)
F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
• All Chargeability Areas (except Mexico): Advances to October 22, 2026
• Mexico: Advances to April 22, 2026
F2A moves nearly two and a half years forward — one of the largest single-month jumps in this bulletin.
F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 or older) of Permanent Residents
• All Chargeability Areas: Advances to August 22, 2020
• Mexico: Advances to May 15, 2010
• Philippines: Advances to October 1, 2013
F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
• All Chargeability Areas: Advances to October 22, 2015
• Mexico: Advances to July 15, 2001
• Philippines: Advances to July 22, 2006
F4: Brothers and Sisters of U.S. Citizens
• All Chargeability Areas: Advances to October 22, 2012
• India: Advances to December 15, 2006
• Mexico: Advances to April 22, 2001
• Philippines: Advances to May 15, 2008
What This Means for Applicants
November 2026 is a notably positive bulletin overall. EB-1 and EB-2 see strong forward movement after October’s retrogression in the All Chargeability category. Family-based categories advance across nearly every classification and country, with F2A seeing an especially large jump.
The one area to watch is EB-3 Other Workers for All Chargeability Areas, which retrogressses from October 1, 2023 back to June 1, 2022. If you or your employer fall into this subcategory, confirm your priority date against the new cutoff before taking any steps.
As always, USCIS may permit use of the Dates for Filing chart rather than Final Action Dates for certain categories. Check www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo to confirm which chart applies before filing.
Questions About Your Priority Date?
Understanding how the Visa Bulletin affects your specific case depends on your category, your country of birth, and when your petition was approved. If you have questions about your priority date or what the November 2026 bulletin means for your timeline, contact Nachman, Phulwani, Zimovcak & Batra (NPZ & B) Law Group, P.C. Call us at 201-670-0006 x104 or visit visaserve.com to schedule a consultation. Our immigration attorneys are here to help you understand your options and plan your next step.