The U.S. Department of State has released the November 2026 Visa Bulletin, giving green card applicants an update on when they may be able to move forward with their immigration cases.
The bulletin covers employment-based and family-sponsored green cards. It lists the priority dates applicants need to check before they can receive a green card or, in some cases, file their adjustment of status application.
For employment-based applicants, the latest update brings some progress in the EB-3 category for India and China. However, the EB-2 backlog for Indian applicants remains a major concern. Applicants from other countries also need to check their dates because visa availability depends on the category and country of chargeability.
Here is what applicants need to know about the November 2026 Visa Bulletin and how it may affect their green card applications.
November 2026 Visa Bulletin: Key Updates
The November bulletin includes the following employment-based final action dates:
- EB-1 India: February 1, 2023
- EB-1 China: August 1, 2023
- EB-2 India: November 1, 2013
- EB-2 China: October 1, 2021
- EB-3 India: January 22, 2014
- EB-3 China: January 22, 2022
- EB-5 India, unreserved: December 1, 2023
- EB-5 China, unreserved: December 1, 2016
These dates help applicants determine whether a visa number is available for their cases. A date listed in the bulletin does not mean every applicant in that category can receive a green card immediately.
EB-1 Green Card: Updates for India and China
The EB-1 category is for certain priority workers, including people with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and eligible multinational executives and managers.
In November 2026, the EB-1 final action date for China moves forward to August 1, 2023. India's date remains February 1, 2023.
For most other countries, EB-1 remains current.
Applicants whose priority dates are earlier than the listed cut-off date may be eligible for final action, provided they meet the other requirements.
For Indian applicants, the date remains an important factor even when they have strong professional qualifications. An approved I-140 petition does not automatically mean a green card is available.
EB-2 India Backlog Remains a Concern
The EB-2 category covers professionals with advanced degrees and people with exceptional ability. Eligible applicants may also qualify through the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW).
The November 2026 final action dates are:
- India: November 1, 2013
- China: October 1, 2021
- All other countries: April 1, 2025
The EB-2 date for India remains unchanged. For China, the date also stays the same, while most other countries see forward movement.
This means Indian applicants with priority dates from later years may still have a long wait ahead. For example, someone with a 2018 priority date would not be eligible for final action under the November 2026 cut-off date.
The EB-2 NIW route does not remove this backlog. Applicants may be able to file an I-140 petition without employer sponsorship if they qualify for the waiver, but they must still wait for visa availability when their category and country have a backlog.
EB-3 Green Card Dates Move Forward
The EB-3 category covers professionals, skilled workers and certain other workers who meet the program's requirements.
For November 2026, the final action dates for professionals and skilled workers are:
- India: January 22, 2014
- China: January 22, 2022
- Philippines: August 15, 2023
- All other countries: June 15, 2024
India's date advances by three weeks, while China's advances by two weeks. Most other countries see a one-month advance.
Although these changes may help some applicants, the backlog for Indian applicants remains significant. Anyone waiting under EB-3 should check their priority date and follow the monthly updates.
The Other Workers category has separate cut-off dates. For most countries, the November final action date is January 1, 2022. India remains at January 1, 2014, while China remains at October 1, 2019.
Applicants should check the correct EB-3 category before deciding whether they can move forward.
EB-5 Investor Green Card Updates
The EB-5 program offers a path to permanent residence for eligible investors who meet the program's investment and job-creation requirements.
For the unreserved EB-5 category, the November 2026 final action dates remain:
- India: December 1, 2023
- China: December 1, 2016
- All other countries: Current
The Rural, High Unemployment and Infrastructure set-aside categories remain current for all listed countries.
A current date means that the category is not subject to a cut-off date in the bulletin for that country at that time. It does not guarantee approval of an application. Applicants must still meet the applicable investment, source-of-funds and other requirements.
Family-Based Green Card Priority Dates
The November 2026 Visa Bulletin also updates the dates for people applying for green cards through eligible family relationships.
The main family preference categories include:
F1: Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens
The final action date is October 22, 2021, for most countries, including India and China.
F2A: Spouses and children under 21 of green card holders
The final action date is October 22, 2026, for most countries, including India and China. Mexico has a separate date of April 22, 2026.
F2B: Unmarried adult children of green card holders
The final action date is August 22, 2020, for most countries, including India and China.
F3: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
The final action date is October 22, 2015, for most countries.
F4: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens
The final action date is October 22, 2012, for most countries. India, Mexico and the Philippines have separate cut-off dates.
Family-based applicants should check the date for their specific category and country. The relationship that qualifies an applicant for a category also affects the applicable waiting period.
Final Action Dates vs. Dates for Filing
The Visa Bulletin has two charts, and applicants should understand the difference before taking action.
Final Action Dates show when immigrant visa numbers may be available for final approval. Applicants whose priority dates meet the applicable cut-off may be eligible to receive a green card, subject to all other requirements.
Dates for Filing indicate when applicants may be able to submit their applications or supporting documents, depending on the type of case and the applicable rules.
If you are applying for a green card from inside the United States, check the USCIS website to see which chart you can use for November 2026. USCIS decides each month whether applicants can use the Final Action Dates chart or the Dates for Filing chart for adjustment of status applications.
Applicants completing consular processing should follow the instructions provided by the National Visa Center and the U.S. embassy or consulate handling their case.
What Should Green Card Applicants Do Now?
If you are waiting for a green card, start by checking the priority date on your immigration petition. Compare it with the cut-off date for your category and country in the November bulletin.
You should also confirm whether you are applying through employment or family sponsorship and whether your case uses the correct preference category.
If your date is eligible, check the applicable filing instructions before submitting paperwork. If your date is not eligible, continue monitoring future bulletins. Dates can move forward, remain unchanged or move backward when demand for visas changes.
Do not make major employment or immigration decisions based only on an expected priority date. A future change is never guaranteed.
What the November 2026 Visa Bulletin Means for Applicants
The November 2026 Visa Bulletin brings some progress for EB-3 applicants and advances selected categories for applicants from countries other than India and China. However, Indian applicants continue to face long waits in EB-2 and EB-3.
EB-1 and EB-5 applicants should also check their dates, even if they expect to qualify under these categories. Family-sponsored applicants need to review their own preference category rather than relying on general green card updates.
Considering an O-1 visa to work in the United States? Beyond Border can help you understand the eligibility requirements, evaluate your professional achievements, and explore the next steps for your petition. Contact Beyond Border today to explore your O-1 visa options.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the U.S. Department of State's monthly update showing the priority dates applicants need to check before they can receive a green card or, in some cases, file their adjustment of status application.
The EB-2 final action date for India remains November 1, 2013, unchanged from the previous month, so the backlog for Indian applicants continues.
Yes. India's EB-3 date advanced to January 22, 2014, China's advanced to January 22, 2022, and most other countries saw a one-month advance.
Final Action Dates show when a green card may be finally approved, while Dates for Filing show when applicants may submit their application or supporting documents; USCIS decides each month which chart applies for adjustment of status.
Continue monitoring future bulletins, since dates can move forward, stay unchanged, or move backward, and avoid making major immigration or employment decisions based only on an expected future date.
