U.S. November Visa Bulletin Opens Family Filing Window, While Job-Based Waits Continue

The United States has released its November 2026 Visa Bulletin, bringing important updates for thousands of immigrants waiting for family-sponsored and employment-based Green Cards. The latest bulletin contains encouraging news for several family immigration categories, while employment-based applicants are seeing more limited progress.

One of the most important developments is that the F2A category is listed as Current for all countries under the Dates for Filing chart. This includes applicants from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal and other countries. The development may allow eligible spouses and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. permanent residents to move forward with their immigration paperwork.

The employment-based categories have also seen some progress. The EB-2 Final Action Date for most countries has advanced to April 1, 2025, while EB-3 has moved to June 15, 2024. However, applicants from India continue to face much longer waiting periods, particularly in the EB-2 category.

The November bulletin was published by the U.S. Department of State as part of the fiscal year 2027 immigration visa allocation process. It establishes the dates that determine when certain applicants can move forward with their immigrant visa or Green Card applications.

For family-sponsored immigration, the F1, F2A, F2B, F3 and F4 categories cover different relationships between U.S. citizens, permanent residents and their family members. Each category has its own annual visa limits and waiting list. Applicants must compare their individual priority dates with the dates published for their category and country.

Under the November 2026 Final Action Dates chart, F1 applicants from most countries, including Bangladesh, have a cutoff date of January 22, 2021. This category covers unmarried adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.

The F2A category covers spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of lawful permanent residents. Its Final Action Date for most countries is October 22, 2026. Mexico has a separate cutoff date of April 22, 2026.

The F2B category covers unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older of permanent residents. Its Final Action Date for most countries is August 22, 2020.

The F3 category covers married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. Its cutoff date for most countries is October 22, 2015.

The F4 category covers brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens. Its Final Action Date for most countries is October 22, 2012. India has a separate cutoff date of December 15, 2006.

These dates are important because they determine when an immigrant visa number can become available for final approval. Applicants whose priority dates are earlier than the applicable cutoff date may qualify to move forward, provided they meet all other requirements.

The biggest filing opportunity in the family-based section concerns F2A. The Dates for Filing chart lists this category as Current for all countries, including countries that normally have separate cutoff dates.

This means eligible applicants may be able to submit the required documents without waiting for a specific priority date under this chart. However, applicants must still follow the applicable filing procedures and receive any required instructions.

It is also important to understand that the word Current has a specific meaning in U.S. immigration law. It does not mean that every applicant will receive a Green Card immediately. It does not automatically approve an existing petition, guarantee an interview or eliminate background checks.

For applicants living outside the United States, the process generally involves an approved family petition, National Visa Center document processing, payment of applicable fees, submission of supporting documents and an immigrant visa interview when a visa number is available.

For applicants already living in the United States, the process may involve filing Form I-485, officially known as the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. However, applicants must meet the legal requirements for adjustment of status and follow the filing chart designated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

There is also important news for employment-based immigrants. These categories cover people seeking permanent residence through qualifying jobs, professional qualifications, exceptional abilities and certain employment opportunities.

The EB-2 category is for professionals holding advanced degrees or individuals with exceptional ability. Under the November Final Action Dates chart, the cutoff date for most countries has moved to April 1, 2025.

This is a three-month advance compared with the previous cutoff date reported for most countries. Applicants from Bangladesh and other countries that are not separately listed generally fall under the worldwide category.

The EB-3 category covers skilled workers, professionals and certain other workers. Its Final Action Date for most countries has advanced to June 15, 2024, representing approximately one month of progress.

However, the situation is very different for applicants from India.

The EB-2 India Final Action Date remains November 1, 2013. This means applicants with more recent priority dates must continue waiting for their turn under the applicable rules.

The EB-3 India category has a separate cutoff date of January 22, 2014. Therefore, Indian applicants cannot use the worldwide cutoff dates when checking their eligibility.

The November bulletin also contains updates in other employment-based categories. EB-1 remains Current for most countries, while China has a cutoff date of August 1, 2023, and India has a cutoff date of February 1, 2023.

For EB-5 unreserved investment-based immigration, most countries remain Current. China and India continue to have separate cutoff dates. The reserved investment categories, including rural and high-unemployment projects, remain Current for all listed countries in the November bulletin.

Another important issue concerns the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates charts. These two charts serve different purposes, and applicants should not confuse them.

The Dates for Filing chart may allow applicants to submit paperwork earlier than the date when their immigrant visa number becomes available for final approval. The Final Action Dates chart determines when a visa number is available for final action.

For November 2026, USCIS has designated the Dates for Filing chart for both family-sponsored and employment-based adjustment of status applications.

This is particularly important for people already living in the United States who want to file Form I-485. They should use the November Dates for Filing chart rather than automatically relying on the Final Action Dates chart.

For example, an applicant from Bangladesh in the F2A category may be eligible to file Form I-485 under the Current Dates for Filing designation, provided all other legal and procedural requirements are satisfied.

Employment-based applicants should also check the applicable Dates for Filing chart. For EB-2, the filing date for most countries is March 15, 2026. For EB-3 professionals and skilled workers, the filing date for most countries is August 1, 2024.

These dates are different from the Final Action Dates. Therefore, someone who qualifies to file an application does not necessarily qualify for immediate Green Card approval.

Immigration experts also warn applicants against assuming that a date listed in the bulletin applies equally to every country. The United States maintains separate cutoff dates for countries with high demand, including India, China, Mexico and the Philippines.

For Bangladeshis, the worldwide category generally applies because Bangladesh is not separately listed in the November 2026 charts. However, an applicant’s country of chargeability is normally determined by place of birth, with certain exceptions, rather than simply by citizenship or current residence.

Applicants should carefully check their Form I-797 approval notice to identify their priority date. They should then compare that date with the correct category, country and chart.

The November bulletin is encouraging for some families, particularly those in the F2A category who may now be eligible to file earlier. Employment-based applicants also have some positive movement, but waiting periods remain significant in several categories.

The U.S. Department of State publishes a new Visa Bulletin every month. Dates can move forward, remain unchanged or move backward depending on visa demand and the number of immigrant visas available.

For that reason, applicants should monitor official announcements and avoid making financial or travel decisions based only on an expected Green Card approval date.

The November 2026 update provides a new opportunity for eligible applicants to review their cases and determine whether they can take the next step in the immigration process. However, individual eligibility depends on the petition, priority date, country of chargeability and applicable immigration rules.