The Department of State has released the November 2026 Visa Bulletin, the second of Fiscal Year 2027. For applicants inside the United States, the headline is simple: USCIS has determined that applicants in every family sponsored and every employment based preference category must use the Dates for Filing chart when deciding whether they can file Form I-485 in November 2026. Final Action Dates still control when a pending case can be approved.
Employment based movement
Final Action Dates advanced while the Dates for Filing chart held almost entirely steady:
- EB-2 for All Chargeability Areas, Mexico and the Philippines moved three months, from January 1, 2025 to April 1, 2025. India (November 1, 2013) and China (October 1, 2021) did not move.
- EB-3 for All Chargeability Areas and Mexico moved one month to June 15, 2024. China moved to January 22, 2022 and India moved to January 22, 2014.
- EB-3 Other Workers for All Chargeability Areas and Mexico jumped five months to June 1, 2022. Its Date for Filing, the only one that moved, is now July 1, 2022.
- EB-1 China advanced one month to August 1, 2023. EB-1 remains Current for All Chargeability Areas, Mexico and the Philippines, and India holds at February 1, 2023.
- EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers hold at December 15, 2022 (filing January 1, 2025). EB-5 unreserved remains Current except China (December 1, 2016) and India (December 1, 2023); all set aside categories remain Current.
Because USCIS is honoring the Dates for Filing chart, these Final Action advances mainly affect when pending I-485s can be approved rather than who can file. EB-2 filing stays at March 15, 2026 and EB-3 at August 1, 2024 for All Chargeability Areas.
Family sponsored movement
Family categories saw the largest gains. F1, F2B, F3 and F4 each advanced a full year on both charts for All Chargeability Areas, with new Dates for Filing of February 1, 2021 (F1), September 1, 2020 (F2B), November 1, 2015 (F3) and November 1, 2012 (F4). F2A advanced one month to October 22, 2026 on the Final Action chart (April 22, 2026 for Mexico) and stays Current for filing. Because USCIS is using the Dates for Filing chart, those one year jumps translate directly into new I-485 filing eligibility for adult children, married children and siblings.
How to read your own eligibility
Find your category and country of chargeability, then compare your priority date. You may file in November if it is earlier than the Dates for Filing cutoff and you are otherwise eligible. Approval requires a priority date earlier than the Final Action Date.
Ahluwalia Law Offices reviews priority dates and filing readiness for applicants nationwide. 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
Which Visa Bulletin chart does USCIS use for I-485 filings in November 2026?
USCIS has determined that all family sponsored and all employment based preference applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart for November 2026.
Did EB-2 move in the November 2026 Visa Bulletin?
Yes. The EB-2 Final Action Date for All Chargeability Areas, Mexico and the Philippines advanced three months to April 1, 2025. EB-2 India and EB-2 China did not move.
What is the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing?
Dates for Filing tell you when you may submit Form I-485 in months when USCIS authorizes that chart. Final Action Dates tell you when USCIS or a consulate may actually approve the case.
Did the November 2026 Visa Bulletin help family based applicants?
Yes. F1, F2B, F3 and F4 advanced one year on both charts for most countries, and F2A remains Current for filing.
