November 2026 Visa Bulletin Explained: Green Card Priority Dates, Cut-Off Dates & EB-3 Queue Guide

The US visa bulletin is one of the most critical monthly publications for employment-based and family-based green card applicants, yet its mechanics remain confusing for many. This explainer breaks down the key concepts: a priority date is the date a petition was filed or a labor certification was submitted, effectively marking your place in line for a green card visa number. The State Department publishes two charts each month — Chart A (Dates for Filing) and Chart B (Final Action Dates). Chart A indicates when applicants may submit adjustment of status applications, while Chart B reflects when a visa number is actually available for final approval. USCIS designates each month which chart can be used for filings. Visa queues form because annual per-country caps limit how many green cards can be issued to nationals of any single country. High-demand countries like India and China face severe backlogs in employment-based categories, particularly EB-3, where wait times can stretch decades. The cut-off date advances only as fast as the annual quota allows. For EB-3 applicants — covering skilled workers, professionals, and other workers — monitoring monthly bulletin movements is essential for planning. Advances in cut-off dates, such as the notable EB-3 movements seen in recent bulletins, can open filing windows that allow applicants to lock in earlier priority dates through concurrent filing. Understanding these mechanics helps applicants make informed decisions about when to file, when to travel internationally, and how to respond to USCIS notices — all critical steps in a process that can span many years.