November 2026 Visa Bulletin Good News: EB-3 Advances 5 Months, More Approvals Ahead

The U.S. Department of State released the November 2026 Visa Bulletin showing meaningful forward movement in Final Action Dates for EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 employment-based categories. USCIS has confirmed that adjustment-of-status applicants may use the more favorable Dates for Filing chart in November, allowing a broader pool of applicants to file Form I-485 even before their cases are ready for final approval. For EB-3 applicants, the Final Action Dates chart shows notable gains. The Rest of World and Mexico cutoff dates advanced to June 15, 2024 (from May 15, 2024), China moved to January 22, 2022 (from January 8, 2022), and India advanced to January 22, 2014 (from January 1, 2014). EB-3 Other Workers saw the largest single movement this month, advancing five months for Rest of World and Mexico under both the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates charts — from January 1, 2022 to June 1, 2022. EB-2 applicants in Rest of World, Mexico, and the Philippines also benefited, with Final Action Dates jumping three months to April 1, 2025 (from January 1, 2025). India and China remain heavily backlogged at November 1, 2013, and October 1, 2021, respectively, with no movement this month. A critical distinction this month is that the Dates for Filing chart controls filing eligibility, while the Final Action Dates chart governs when cases can actually be approved and green cards issued. Applicants whose priority dates are current under the Filing chart but not the Final Action Dates chart can submit Form I-485 now and become eligible for interim Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and advance parole — providing significant work authorization benefits while awaiting final approval. EB-3 applicants with priority dates approaching or within the updated cutoffs should consult with their immigration attorneys promptly. Filing as early as possible locks in EAD and advance parole eligibility, which can be valuable during extended processing waits. The EB-5 Set Aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) remain current across all chargeability areas.