The U.S. Department of State has released the November 2025 Visa Bulletin. After October’s FY-2026 reset, November is largely steady, with a few pinpoint advances, most notably in F2A (Dates for Filing), while employment-based categories mostly hold their October levels. EB-4 remains open at July 1, 2020; Certain Religious Workers (SR) stays Unavailable pending reauthorization.
Family-Sponsored Categories (Final Action)
- F1: All Chargeability/China/India Nov 8, 2016; Mexico Nov 22, 2005; Philippines Jan 22, 2013 (unchanged).
- F2A: All Chargeability/China/India/Philippines Feb 1, 2024; Mexico Feb 1, 2023 (Mexico uses exempt numbers first).
- F2B: All Chargeability/China/India Dec 1, 2016 (slight forward movement); Mexico Dec 15, 2007; Philippines Oct 1, 2012.
- F3: All Chargeability/China/India Sep 8, 2011; Mexico May 1, 2001 (minor advance); Philippines Sep 22, 2004.
- F4: All Chargeability/China Jan 8, 2008; India Nov 1, 2006; Mexico Apr 8, 2001; Philippines Mar 22, 2006 (unchanged).
Dates for Filing (Family)
- F2A: Advances to Oct 22, 2025 for all countries (previously Sep 22, 2025).
- Other categories remain steady: F1 Sep 1, 2017; F2B Mar 8, 2017 (Mexico May 15, 2009); F3 Jul 22, 2012 (Mexico Jul 1, 2001); F4 Mar 1, 2009 (India Dec 15, 2006; Mexico Apr 30, 2001; Philippines Jan 1, 2008).
USCIS will confirm which chart governs Adjustment of Status filings for November.
Employment-Based Categories (Final Action)
- EB-1: ROW/Mexico/Philippines: Current; China: Dec 22, 2022; India: Feb 15, 2022 (unchanged).
- EB-2: ROW/Mexico/Philippines: Dec 1, 2023; China: Apr 1, 2021; India: Apr 1, 2013 (unchanged).
- EB-3: ROW/Mexico/Philippines: Apr 1, 2023; China: Mar 1, 2021; India: Aug 22, 2013 (unchanged).
- EB-3 Other Workers: ROW/Mexico/Philippines: Jul 15, 2021; China: Dec 1, 2017; India: Aug 22, 2013 (unchanged).
- EB-4: July 1, 2020 worldwide (open and unchanged); SR remains Unavailable until legislative renewal.
- EB-5 (Unreserved): ROW/Mexico/Philippines: Current; China: Dec 8, 2015; India: Feb 1, 2021.
- EB-5 (Set-Asides): Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure remain Current worldwide.
Dates for Filing (Employment)
- EB-1: ROW Current; China May 15, 2023; India Apr 15, 2023.
- EB-2: ROW Jul 15, 2024; China Dec 1, 2021; India Dec 1, 2013.
- EB-3: ROW Jul 1, 2023; China Jan 1, 2022; India Aug 15, 2014.
- Other Workers: ROW Dec 1, 2021; China Oct 1, 2018; India Aug 15, 2014.
- EB-4 DoF: Feb 15, 2021.
- EB-5 DoF (Unreserved): China Jul 1, 2016; India Apr 1, 2022; Set-Asides Current.
Diversity Visa (DV-2026)
November DV cut-offs remain unchanged from October:
- Africa: 17,500 (Algeria 14,500; Egypt 16,000)
- Asia: 10,000 (Nepal 6,000)
- Europe: 7,750
- North America (Bahamas): 20
- Oceania: 1,100
- South America/Caribbean: 1,850
December preview: Algeria rises slightly to 17,250; others unchanged. The annual DV-2026 limit is ~52,000 due to NACARA/NDAA offsets.
Key Changes from October 2025
- Family: F2A (Dates for Filing) advances one month; F2B moves slightly forward; minor progress in F3 Mexico. Others hold steady.
- Employment: EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 stay at October levels. EB-4 remains open (July 1, 2020). SR still unavailable. EB-5 unchanged across all lanes.
- Diversity Visa: No change for November; Algeria expected to advance in December.
Outlook and Projections
- EB-1: ROW likely to stay Current; India and China may see measured advancement later in FY-2026.
- EB-2 / EB-3: ROW could advance modestly through FY-2026; India and China remain backlogged with slow progress.
- EB-3 Other Workers: Limited movement expected due to statutory constraints and EW reductions.
- EB-4: Open at July 1, 2020; movement depends on demand and potential SR reauthorization.
- EB-5: Set-Asides remain Current; India Unreserved may move slowly; China Unreserved remains significantly backlogged.
- Family: Expect sideways to modest advancement; F2A remains the most favorable category for filing.
Filing Dates: What They Mean
USCIS will announce which chart (Final Action or Dates for Filing) governs adjustment of status filings in November. Filing Dates remain well ahead in EB-2, EB-3, and F2A, allowing applicants to prepare for an Adjustment of Status even if approvals lag.
Bottom Line
November continues October’s balanced start to FY-2026: EB-1 ROW Current, EB-2/EB-3 steady, EB-4 open, and EB-5 Set-Asides Current. Family-based categories maintain slow progress, with F2A leading the pack. DV-2026 numbers remain unchanged, offering predictability as the fiscal year progresses. Applicants should continue monitoring USCIS chart usage and prepare early where Filing Dates allow.
Schedule a Consultation with an Immigration Lawyer
Sources
We Can Help!
If you have questions regarding a U.S. immigration matter, we invite you to contact our team at Richards and Jurusik for detailed guidance and assistance. We aim to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to make your immigration process smoother and less stressful. The immigration lawyers at Richards and Jurusik have decades of experience helping people to work and live in the United States. Please read some of our hundreds of 5-star client reviews! Contact us today to assess your legal situation.
JEREMY L. RICHARDS is the founding partner of Richards and Jurusik and has dedicated his career to U.S. immigration law, with a specialized focus on assisting Canadian and Mexican citizens under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to work and live in the United States. (Full Bio)
