November 2026 Visa Bulletin – Minor Forward Movement in Final Action Dates as Filing Dates Hold Steady

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the November 2026 Visa Bulletin, the second bulletin of the new fiscal year (FY 2027).   Following the significant shifts seen at the start of the new fiscal year in October, November brings modest forward movement in select employment-based Final Action categories. Notably, USCIS is expected to continue honoring the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based adjustment of status (I-485) applications in November, which hold steady across the board.

Which Employment-based Applicants Are Eligible to File I-485 in November 2026?

By using the Final Action Dates chart, USCIS will allow the following applicants to file I-485 in the month of November 2026.   The change (“forward” or “retrogression”) noted below is related to the I-485 filing eligibility from the prior month.

Worldwide (ROW)

• EB-1 ROW with any priority date (remains Current);
• EB-2 ROW with a priority date before March 15, 2026 (unchanged);
• EB-3 ROW with a priority date before August 1, 2024 (unchanged).

India

• EB-1 India with a priority date before July 1, 2024 (unchanged);
• EB-2 India with a priority date of January 15, 2015 (unchanged);
• EB-3 India with a priority date before January 1, 2015 (unchanged).

China

• EB-1 China with a priority date before July 1, 2024 (unchanged);
• EB-2 China with a priority date before January 1, 2023 (unchanged);
• EB-3 China with a priority date before April 1, 2024 (unchanged).

EB-2 to EB-3 China Downgrade Opportunities

November 2026 also brings a rare opportunity to certain EB-2 China applicants to downgrade their preference category to EB-3 and file I-485s.   The following candidates may benefit from EB-3 downgrade:

• EB-3 China applicants with a priority date between January 1, 2023 and April 1, 2024.

Note: For India, the Dates for Filing cutoff is identical across EB-2 and EB-3, presenting no current downgrade advantage.

Applicants without pending I-485 who have a priority date noted above may benefit from EB-3 downgrade with a concurrent I-485 filing.  Please contact us for analysis and a flat fee quote for the process.  See our alert on the mechanics and benefits of downgrading EB-2 to EB-3.

Summary of the November 2026 Visa Bulletin – Employment-Based (EB)

Please note that USCIS will determine and publish, about a week after this Visa Bulletin is published, whether or not to accept I-485 filings on the basis of these filing dates.

Summary of the November 2026 Visa Bulletin – Family-Based (FB)

USCIS will determine and publish separately, a few days after this Visa Bulletin is published, whether or not to accept I-485 filings on the basis of these filing dates.

Current Date?

Our office stands ready to assist in the applicable process.  There are many applicants across many of the employment and family categories who can now process their (and their family members’) I-485 Adjustment of Status applications from within the U.S. or process their immigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if our office can help you take advantage of this (very time-sensitive for some) opportunity to file I-485 applications. We are also happy to provide a free quote for preparing and filing your I-485 application.

Confused About the Visa Bulletin?

We understand that the Visa Bulletin, with its the multiple publications, categories and conditions may be confusing – we invite you to review our Visa Bulletin Explained article for our attempt in helping applicants understand the Visa Bulletin and know what to look for (and when).

Further Updates and News

We invite you to subscribe to our free weekly immigration newsletter to receive timely updates on this and related topics. We also invite you to contact us if our office can be of any assistance in your immigration matters or you have any questions or comments about this month’s Visa Bulletin.