The largest single advance in the employment based charts this month belongs to a category that rarely leads the news. EB-3 Other Workers, the classification for positions requiring less than two years of training or experience, advanced five months on the Final Action Dates chart for All Chargeability Areas and Mexico, from January 1, 2022 to June 1, 2022. It was also the only employment based line to move on the Dates for Filing chart, advancing one month to July 1, 2022 for those same chargeability areas.
Why this category matters to Texas employers
Home health agencies, assisted living facilities, hotels, restaurants, food processors, manufacturers and construction firms rely on EB-3 Other Workers to sponsor essential staff. The category is capped at 10,000 visas per fiscal year, and the Department of State notes that for Fiscal Year 2027 the reduction tied to the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act will be limited to approximately 150 numbers.
November 2026 dates for EB-3 Other Workers
- All Chargeability Areas and Mexico: Final Action June 1, 2022 (up five months). Date for Filing July 1, 2022 (up one month).
- Philippines: Final Action January 1, 2022 (unchanged). Date for Filing June 1, 2022 (unchanged).
- India: Final Action January 22, 2014 (up three weeks). Date for Filing January 15, 2015 (unchanged).
- China: Final Action October 1, 2019 (unchanged). Date for Filing October 1, 2020 (unchanged).
USCIS has determined that employment based applicants use the Dates for Filing chart in November 2026. Sponsored workers from All Chargeability Areas and Mexico with priority dates earlier than July 1, 2022 may file Form I-485 this month if otherwise eligible. Those with priority dates earlier than June 1, 2022 and pending applications are now approvable.
What employers should do now
First, confirm the priority date on each approved I-140. For Other Workers, the priority date is the date the Department of Labor accepted the PERM labor certification for processing. Second, for workers inside the United States who are now eligible to file, assemble the adjustment package promptly, including Form I-765 for employment authorization and Form I-131 for advance parole. Third, for workers abroad, expect National Visa Center processing to begin.
Even after this advance, the Other Workers line remains more than two years behind EB-3 skilled workers and professionals. Choosing the correct classification at the PERM stage, based on the job’s actual minimum requirements, has multi year consequences.
Next steps
Ahluwalia Law Offices handles PERM labor certification, I-140 petitions and adjustment of status for employers across Texas and nationwide, including Department of Labor compliance. Schedule a consultation at ahluwalialaw.com/consultations or call our Dallas office at (972) 361 0606 or our Houston office at (713) 600 4338.
Frequently asked questions
What is the EB-3 Other Workers priority date for November 2026?
June 1, 2022 on the Final Action Dates chart and July 1, 2022 on the Dates for Filing chart for All Chargeability Areas and Mexico.
How much did EB-3 Other Workers move in November 2026?
Five months on the Final Action chart (from January 1, 2022) and one month on the Dates for Filing chart (from June 1, 2022).
What jobs qualify as EB-3 Other Workers?
Positions that require less than two years of training or experience, such as home health aides, housekeepers, food preparation workers and production workers, when the employer completes PERM labor certification.
Can an Other Workers applicant file I-485 in November 2026?
Yes, for All Chargeability Areas and Mexico, if the priority date is earlier than July 1, 2022 and the applicant is otherwise eligible, since USCIS is using the Dates for Filing chart.
Attorney Advertising. This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney client relationship. Immigration law changes frequently and outcomes depend on individual facts. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Responsible attorney: [Pallavi Ahluwalia], Ahluwalia Law Offices, PC, 14180 Dallas Parkway, Suite 720, Dallas, Texas 75254.
Sources: Visa Bulletin for November 2026 | USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Charts | Department of Labor, Permanent Labor Certification
