The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the November 2025 Visa Bulletin, outlining Final Action Dates (FAD) and Dates for Filing (DFF) across family- and employment-based categories. DOS also reiterates that applicants must follow USCIS’s monthly guidance on whether to use the Final Action or Dates for Filing charts when submitting adjustment of status (AOS) applications.
USCIS has confirmed that for November 2025, applicants must use the Dates for Filing (DFF) chart for both family-sponsored and employment-based categories.
This means many applicants—especially in EB-1, EB-2, and F2A—may file their I-485 applications even if their Final Action Dates have not yet become current.
Employment-Based (EB) Preferences — Dates for Filing (DFF)
| Category | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 15MAY23 | 15APR23 | C | C |
| EB-2 | 15JUL24 | 01DEC21 | 01DEC13 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 |
| EB-3 | 01JUL23 | 01JAN22 | 15AUG14 | 01JUL23 | 01JUL23 |
| Other Workers | 01DEC21 | 01OCT18 | 15AUG14 | 01DEC21 | 01DEC21 |
| EB-4 | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| EB-5 Unreserved (C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) | C | 01JUL16 | 01APR22 | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Aside – Rural (20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Aside – High Unemployment (10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Aside – Infrastructure (2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
Family-Sponsored Preferences — Dates for Filing (DFF)
| Category | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01MAR07 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 22OCT25 | 22OCT25 | 22OCT25 | 22OCT25 | 22OCT25 |
| F2B | 08MAR17 | 08MAR17 | 08MAR17 | 15MAY09 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 01JUL01 | 01NOV05 |
| F4 | 01MAR09 | 01MAR09 | 15DEC06 | 30APR01 | 01JAN08 |
Final Action Dates (FAD) — Employment-Based
| Category | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 22DEC22 | 15FEB22 | C | C |
| EB-2 | 01DEC23 | 01APR21 | 01APR13 | 01DEC23 | 01DEC23 |
| EB-3 | 01APR23 | 01MAR21 | 22AUG13 | 01APR23 | 01APR23 |
| Other Workers | 15JUL21 | 01DEC17 | 22AUG13 | 15JUL21 | 15JUL21 |
| EB-4 | 01JUL20 | 01JUL20 | 01JUL20 | 01JUL20 | 01JUL20 |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| EB-5 Unreserved (C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) | C | 08DEC15 | 01FEB21 | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Aside – Rural (20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Aside – High Unemployment (10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Aside – Infrastructure (2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
Diversity Visa (DV-2026) Rank Cut-Off
| Region | Rank Cut-Off | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICA | 17,500 | Algeria 14,500; Egypt 16,000 |
| ASIA | 10,000 | Nepal 6,000 |
| EUROPE | 7,750 | — |
| NORTH AMERICA (Bahamas) | 20 | — |
| OCEANIA | 1,100 | — |
| SOUTH AMERICA & CARIBBEAN | 1,850 | — |
The Policy Behind the Modern Visa Bulletin
In 2014, the Secretary of Homeland Security directed USCIS to coordinate with DOS to ensure that all immigrant visas authorized by Congress are issued to eligible applicants when demand exists.
This led to reforms announced in July 2015 through the White House report “Modernizing and Streamlining Our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century.”
As a result:
- The Visa Bulletin now includes two charts — Final Action Dates (when visas may be issued) and Dates for Filing (when applications may be submitted).
- The process allows DOS and USCIS to forecast visa demand more accurately and prevent month-to-month fluctuations in priority date movement.
- When USCIS determines there are unused visa numbers for the fiscal year, it allows applicants to file earlier using the DFF chart, even if their final action date has not yet been reached.
Who Should Consider Filing in November 2025
- EB-1 India (PD on or before 15APR23) and EB-1 China (PD on or before 15MAY23): Eligible to file Form I-485 in November.
- EB-2 Worldwide (PD on or before 15JUL24): May file early under DFF usage.
- EB-3 Worldwide (PD on or before 01JUL23): Eligible to file for AOS now.
- EB-5 Set-Aside investors (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure): Categories remain Current for both filing and final action.
- F2A spouses and children of lawful permanent residents: DFF 22OCT25 across all countries—time to prepare supporting documents for NVC or AOS filing.
Practical Checklist for Applicants
- Verify chart usage on USCIS’s “When to File” page before filing.
- Confirm your priority date against your visa category and chargeability area.
- Prepare your I-485 package completely — include medicals (Form I-693), filing fees, and employment verification where required.
- Monitor EB-4 Religious Workers — the category remains Unavailable until further congressional action.
How Ahluwalia Law Offices Can Help
Ahluwalia Law Offices, PC, based in Dallas, Texas, represents clients nationwide in employment-based, family-based, and investor visa categories. We monitor monthly visa movements and USCIS chart usage to determine the best filing window for each client. Whether you are pursuing an EB-1A, PERM-based EB-2, family preference, or adjustment of status, we can help you file strategically to secure your place in line.
