The Immigration Team at Song Law Firm provides the following update on the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for November 2026. This month’s bulletin brings meaningful forward movement in both family-sponsored and employment-based categories.
Family-Sponsored Highlights
Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing in F1, F2B, F3, and F4 categories all advanced by one year compared to last month. The F2A Final Action Date (spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents) advanced one month from September 22, 2026 to October 22, 2026, while the F2A Dates for Filing remains open.
Employment-Based Highlights
After October’s retrogression at the start of the new fiscal year, several employment-based preference categories have moved forward again.
- EB-1: Remains Current (open)
- EB-2: Final Action Date advanced by 3 months from January 1, 2025 to April 1, 2025. Date for Filing remains frozen at March 15, 2026
- EB-3 Skilled: Final Action Date advanced by 1 month to June 15, 2024. Date for Filing frozen at August 1, 2024
- EB-3 Other Workers: Final Action Date advanced by 5 months to June 1, 2022. Date for Filing advanced 1 month to July 1, 2022
- EB-4: Frozen at December 15, 2022 (Final Action) / January 1, 2025 (Filing)
- EB-5: Korea-born applicants remain Current in principal categories
Family-Sponsored Preference — Final Action Dates
| Family | All Chargeability Except Listed |
China-mainland | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01/22/2021 | 01/22/2021 | 01/22/2021 | 09/22/2008 | 11/01/2013 |
| F2A | 10/22/2026 | 10/22/2026 | 10/22/2026 | 04/22/2026 | 10/22/2026 |
| F2B | 08/22/2020 | 08/22/2020 | 08/22/2020 | 05/15/2010 | 10/01/2013 |
| F3 | 10/22/2015 | 10/22/2015 | 10/22/2015 | 07/15/2001 | 07/22/2006 |
| F4 | 10/22/2012 | 10/22/2012 | 12/15/2006 | 04/22/2001 | 05/15/2008 |
Family-Sponsored Preference — Dates for Filing
| Family | All Chargeability Except Listed |
China-mainland | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 02/01/2021 | 02/01/2021 | 02/01/2021 | 12/01/2008 | 04/22/2015 |
| F2A | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 09/01/2020 | 09/01/2020 | 09/01/2020 | 03/22/2011 | 10/01/2014 |
| F3 | 11/01/2015 | 11/01/2015 | 11/01/2015 | 12/01/2002 | 10/22/2006 |
| F4 | 11/01/2012 | 11/01/2012 | 02/01/2007 | 04/30/2001 | 03/22/2009 |
Employment-Based Preference — Final Action Dates
| Employment | All Chargeability Except Listed |
China-mainland | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | C | 08/01/2023 | 02/01/2023 | C | C |
| 2nd | 04/01/2025 | 10/01/2021 | 11/01/2013 | 04/01/2025 | 04/01/2025 |
| 3rd | 06/15/2024 | 01/22/2022 | 01/22/2014 | 06/15/2024 | 08/15/2023 |
| Other Workers | 06/01/2022 | 10/01/2019 | 01/22/2014 | 06/01/2022 | 01/01/2022 |
| 4th | 12/15/2022 | 12/15/2022 | 12/15/2022 | 12/15/2022 | 12/15/2022 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 12/15/2022 | 12/15/2022 | 12/15/2022 | 12/15/2022 | 12/15/2022 |
| 5th Unreserved | C | 12/01/2016 | 12/01/2023 | C | C |
| 5th Rural (20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th High Unemployment (10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Infrastructure (2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
Employment-Based Preference — Dates for Filing
| Employment | All Chargeability Except Listed |
China-mainland | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | C | 07/01/2024 | 07/01/2024 | C | C |
| 2nd | 03/15/2026 | 01/01/2023 | 01/15/2015 | 03/15/2026 | 03/15/2026 |
| 3rd | 08/01/2024 | 04/01/2024 | 01/15/2015 | 08/01/2024 | 01/01/2024 |
| Other Workers | 07/01/2022 | 10/01/2020 | 01/15/2015 | 07/01/2022 | 06/01/2022 |
| 4th | 01/01/2025 | 01/01/2025 | 01/01/2025 | 01/01/2025 | 01/01/2025 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01/01/2025 | 01/01/2025 | 01/01/2025 | 01/01/2025 | 01/01/2025 |
| 5th Unreserved | C | 03/01/2021 | 05/01/2024 | C | C |
| 5th Rural (NR/RR, 20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th High Unemployment (NH/RH, 10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Infrastructure (RI, 2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
Adjustment of Status Filing Charts (USCIS Guidance)
For individuals residing in the United States and applying through Adjustment of Status, pay attention not only to the Visa Bulletin but also to USCIS official announcements. USCIS indicates whether to use the Dates for Filing or Final Action Dates chart to submit Form I-485 in a given month.
For the November 2026 Visa Bulletin, USCIS announced:
- Family-Sponsored Preference Categories: Use the Dates for Filing chart
- Employment-Based Preference Categories: Use the Dates for Filing chart
Please note that filing a Form I-485 without confirming your Priority Date against the Visa Bulletin’s Dates for Filing or Final Action Dates may result in your application being rejected and returned. You may submit Form I-485 only if your Priority Date is earlier than the applicable cutoff date in the Visa Bulletin and USCIS’s Adjustment of Status Filing Charts.
Contact Song Law Firm
If you have questions about green cards or immigrant visas, please contact our Immigration Team. Strategy and I-485 filing timing depend on your Priority Date, current status, and family composition.
- Phone: (201) 461-0031 (Mon–Fri, 09:00–18:00 ET)
- Email: mail@songlawfirm.com
- Fort Lee Office: Parker Plaza, 400 Kelby Street, Suite 1900, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Disclaimer — This column is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice for any specific matter. The Visa Bulletin changes monthly; individual cases should always be reviewed with licensed counsel. Song Law Firm is a full-service firm serving NJ and NY, offering direct attorney communication in Korean, English, and Chinese.
