Visa Bulletin
This page is kept current with each monthly Visa Bulletin. The newest bulletin is summarized first, and every earlier monthly post is archived below it.
November 2026 Visa Bulletin: Four Family Categories Jump a Full Year, and USCIS Is Taking Filings on the Earlier Chart
The November 2026 Visa Bulletin moves F1, F2B, F3 and F4 forward by a full year for most countries, advances EB-2 by three months and EB-3 Other Workers by five, and leaves India EB-2, EB-4 and EB-5 where they were. USCIS says every family and employment applicant must use the Dates for Filing chart this month. Who can file now, and why filing is no longer the same as being safe.
Accurate as of | From November 2026 Visa Bulletin: Four Family Categories Jump a Full Year, and USCIS Is Taking Filings on the Earlier Chart
- U.S. Department of State, Visa Bulletin for November 2026 (released October 22, 2026), and Visa Bulletin for October 2026, travel.state.gov.
- USCIS, Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin, November 2026 (AILA Doc. No. 26102303): Dates for Filing chart for all family and employment preference categories.
- USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 (May 21, 2026), as described in our October 8, 2026 litigation brief.
What currently applies
The Dates for Filing chart, which USCIS is using this month, moves the same four categories by a year as well: F1 to February 1, 2021, F2B to September 1, 2020, F3 to November 1, 2015 and F4 to November 1, 2012.
For China, EB-1 advances one month to August 1, 2023 and EB-3 advances two weeks to January 22, 2022; EB-2 China stays at October 1, 2021.
When USCIS uses the Dates for Filing chart, an applicant whose priority date is earlier than the filing date can submit Form I-485 now, even though a visa number is not yet available for final approval.
Related analysis
Monthly archive
Earlier monthly posts, newest first. Each one describes the bulletin for its own month only.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an employment based green card take?
It depends on Department of Labor and USCIS processing times and the employee's priority date in the Visa Bulletin; PERM review alone has recently averaged about eleven months.
Accurate as of | From Frequently Asked Questions
EB-2 or EB-3?
EB-2 requires an advanced degree or exceptional ability; EB-3 covers skilled workers and professionals. The category affects the wait under the Visa Bulletin.
Accurate as of | From Frequently Asked Questions
Can a green card holder sponsor a spouse?
Yes, in the F2A category, where the wait depends on the Visa Bulletin. Spouses of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives with no annual limit.
Accurate as of | From Frequently Asked Questions
How long do EB-1, NIW, and investor cases take?
Timelines depend on the category, USCIS processing times, and your country's place in the Visa Bulletin. EB-1 and NIW petitions can be decided in weeks with premium processing, where available, while the green card stage depends on visa availability for your country of birth. E-2 applications at a U.S. consulate commonly take a few months, and EB-5 cases take longer. At your consultation, Samper Law gives you a realistic timeline for your category and country.
Accurate as of | From Frequently Asked Questions
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration law and agency policy change frequently; the analysis above reflects our understanding as of the date noted. Readers should consult counsel regarding their specific circumstances.