November 2026 Visa Bulletin: Filipino EB-2 Gains 3 Months While EB-3 Priority Dates Stall

The U.S. Department of State released the November 2026 visa bulletin, delivering mixed results for Filipino immigration applicants. While EB-2 (advanced degree professionals and exceptional ability) applicants from the Philippines received a notable three-month advancement in their priority dates, the bulletin offered no relief for those in the EB-3 employment-based category. For EB-3 applicants from the Philippines — which includes skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled/other workers — the priority dates remain unchanged from October 2026. This stagnation continues a frustrating trend for Filipino nationals, who face some of the longest backlogs in the employment-based green card system due to per-country caps that disproportionately affect high-demand countries like the Philippines, India, and China. The divergence between EB-2 and EB-3 movement is significant for applicants who may be considering downgrading or upgrading their preference category. Those currently in EB-3 who qualify for EB-2 may want to consult an immigration attorney about the potential benefits of porting to EB-2, given the more favorable movement this month. EB-3 applicants should monitor the December 2026 bulletin closely for any corrections or adjustments. Priority date movement remains highly variable and dependent on demand, retrogression risk, and annual visa usage patterns tracked by the Department of State.