November Visa Bulletin: Big movement for Indian family-sponsored green-card applicants

Green Card Update: The November US Visa Bulletin brings mixed news for Indian green-card applicants. Family-sponsored categories have seen significant forward movement, while most employment-based categories remain unchanged. The limited progress in employment-based dates means many Indian professionals will continue to face long waits for permanent residency.

The biggest movement came in the family-sponsored categories. The F1, F2B and F3 final action dates each advanced by one year. Their filing dates also moved forward by one year, allowing more applicants to submit their applications if USCIS permits the use of the filing-date chart.

Also Read| US Visa Bulletin explained: What it is, why it matters and how to read it


The F2A final action date, covering spouses and children of green-card holders, advanced by one month. Its filing date remains current, meaning eligible applicants can continue to file without waiting for a cut-off date, subject to USCIS rules.

The F4 category, covering siblings of adult US citizens, remained unchanged in both charts. Its final action date remains December 15, 2006, while the filing date remains February 1, 2007.

Employment-based applicants saw little movement. EB-1 and EB-2 remained unchanged in both the final action and filing-date charts.

EB-3 and Other Workers were the only employment-based categories to advance. Their final action dates moved forward by 21 days, from January 1 to January 22, 2014. However, their filing dates remained unchanged at January 15, 2015.

EB-4 and EB-5 dates also remained largely unchanged, while the rural and high-unemployment EB-5 set-aside categories continued to be current.

Also Read| US green card rules change from September 18: What applicants need to know

Understanding the Visa Bulletin

Understanding the Visa Bulletin is crucial for individuals seeking Green Cards, as it provides vital information about the timeline for adjusting immigration status and eligibility based on application submission. The bulletin acts as a guide for the Green Card journey, featuring two essential sections.

Dates for Filing: This section specifies the earliest date applicants can submit their adjustment of status or immigrant visa applications. It helps applicants determine when they can proceed with their filing based on their visa category and country of origin.

Final Action Dates: These dates estimate the wait time for application approval, leading to permanent residency. They function as a queue based on visa category and nationality, indicating when applicants can expect their applications to be processed.

However, there's a crucial caveat for employment-based green card (EB) adjustments. To file in August 2025, applicants must have an application date preceding a specific date listed for their category and country in the bulletin, ensuring their eligibility for filing.

The significance of final action dates lies in their role in application processing. These dates vary depending on the visa type and nationality, directly impacting the duration of the green card application process and potential wait times. Understanding and monitoring these dates is essential for individuals navigating the Green Card application process.

Highlights from the November 2026 Visa Bulletin

The Visa Bulletin outlines preference categories for family-sponsored immigrants, providing critical information for navigating the Green Card process. The categories are as follows:

First Preference (F1): Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

Second Preference (F2): Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents

• F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
• F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents

Third Preference (F3): Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

The bulletin provides detailed insights into the allocation of immigrant visas, primarily based on priority dates and demand received by April 1st of each fiscal year. When demand surpasses the available visas in a particular category or country, that category is classified as oversubscribed. In such cases, the final action date for oversubscribed categories is determined by the priority date of the first applicant who couldn't be accommodated within the numerical limits.

For the fiscal year, the limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants is set at 226,000, with specific allocations for each preference category. Additionally, there are per-country limits set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits. Immigrant visas are issued in order of priority based on the filing date of the petition.

Spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status and consideration as the principal applicant. In instances where visa issuances surpass the per-country limit, visa prorating provisions come into effect for oversubscribed chargeability areas, including China (mainland born), India, Mexico, and the Philippines. These provisions ensure fair allocation of visas among applicants from different countries.

Understanding these intricacies is crucial for individuals navigating the immigrant visa process. The Visa Bulletin serves as a vital tool, providing essential information about visa availability and processing times, helping applicants plan their immigration journey effectively.

FAMILY-SPONSORED GREEN CARDS: FINAL ACTION DATES

Family- Sponsored	INDIA
F1	January 22, 2021 (was January 22, 2020)
F2A	October 22, 2026 (was September 22, 2026)
F2B	August 22, 2020 (was August 22, 2019)
F3	October 22, 2015 (was October 22, 2014)
F4	December 15, 2006 (unchanged)

FAMILY-SPONSORED GREEN CARDS: DATES FOR FILING

Family- Sponsored	INDIA
F1	February 1, 2021 (was February 1, 2020)
F2A	Current
F2B	September 1, 2020 (was September 1, 2019)
F3	November 1, 2015 (was November 1, 2014)
F4	February 1, 2007 (unchanged)

Employment-based preferences

The allocation of immigrant visas in the employment-based preference categories is structured to ensure a balanced distribution among various types of skilled and unskilled workers, professionals, and investors. Understanding these categories and their allocation percentages is crucial for individuals seeking employment-based immigrant visas.
1. Priority Workers: This category receives 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level. It includes:

• Individuals with extraordinary abilities in their field
• Outstanding professors and researchers
• Multinational executives or managers

Additionally, any surplus numbers not used for the fourth and fifth preferences may also be allocated here.
2. Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Individuals of Exceptional Ability: This category is also allotted 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by the first preference. It covers:

• Individuals with advanced degrees
• Individuals with exceptional abilities in their respective fields

3. Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: This category receives 28.6% of the worldwide level, along with any numbers not required by the first and second preferences. It includes:

• Skilled workers and professionals
• "Other Workers" performing unskilled labor, with a cap of 10,000 visas

4. Certain Special Immigrants: This category is allocated 7.1% of the global level and includes:

• Religious workers
• Certain employees of U.S. foreign service posts
• Individuals who have served in the U.S. armed forces

5. Employment Creation: This category also receives 7.1% of the global level. It is further divided to ensure targeted investment and job creation:

• 20% for qualified immigrants investing in rural areas
• 10% for those investing in high unemployment areas
• 2% for those investing in infrastructure projects
• The remaining 68% is unrestricted and available to all other eligible investors

These employment-based preference categories are designed to attract a diverse pool of talented individuals to the United States, fostering economic growth and innovation. By understanding these allocation percentages and categories, applicants can better navigate the U.S. immigration system and plan their visa applications accordingly.

EMPLOYMENT-BASED GREEN CARDS: FINAL ACTION DATES

Employment-based	INDIA
1st	February 1, 2023 (unchanged)
2nd	November 1, 2013 (unchanged)
3rd	January 22, 2014 (was January 1, 2014)
Other Workers	January 22, 2014 (was January 1, 2014)
4th	December 15, 2022 (unchanged)
Certain Religious Workers	December 15, 2022 (unchanged)
5th Unreserved(including C5, T5, I5, R5)	December 1, 2023
5th Set Aside: Rural (20%)	Current
5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%)	Current
5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%)	Current

EMPLOYMENT-BASED GREEN CARDS: DATES FOR FILING

Employment-based	INDIA
1st	July 1, 2024 (unchanged)
2nd	January 15, 2015 (unchanged)
3rd	January 15, 2015 (unchanged)
Other Workers	January 15, 2015 (unchanged)
4th	January 1, 2025 (unchanged)
Certain Religious Workers	January 1, 2025 (unchanged)
5th Unreserved(including C5, T5, I5, R5)	May 1, 2024 (unchanged)
5th Set Aside:(Rural - 20%)	Current
5th Set Aside:(High Unemployment - 10%)	Current
5th Set Aside:(Infrastructure - 2%)	Current