State Department to Release November 2026 Visa Bulletin
The new bulletin will update priority dates for employment-based immigration categories starting in November 2026.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Immigration
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The U.S. State Department is set to release its November 2026 Visa Bulletin, establishing new Final Action and filing cutoff dates. USCIS has confirmed it will permit employment-based adjustment of status applications to proceed based on the Dates for Filing chart.
Why it matters
These monthly updates determine the eligibility timeline for foreign nationals seeking to file for permanent residency in the United States. Changes in these cutoff dates directly impact the speed at which applicants can progress through the green card process.
Final Action dates include August 1, 2023, for EB-1 China and January 22, 2022, for EB-3 China. EB-3 for other countries advances to June 15, 2024, while EB-3 Other Workers Dates for Filing move to July 1, 2022.
The players
State Department
This federal agency is responsible for the foreign policy of the United States and manages the issuance of visas through the monthly Visa Bulletin.
USCIS
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is the federal agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States and processes adjustment of status applications.
The details
Foreign nationals must hold a priority date that falls earlier than the applicable date listed to file their paperwork. USCIS will officially accept adjustment of status applications using these newly updated State Department filing charts throughout November 2026.
Timeline
November 2026 marks the effective date for the new Final Action and Filing dates.
Political Context
Opponents of the current system often point to these recurring priority date backlogs as evidence of a need for comprehensive reform of the legal immigration quota system. Advocacy groups frequently argue that the administrative limits fail to align with the actual labor demands of the U.S. economy.
Applicants who meet the new priority date criteria may now proceed with filing their adjustment of status applications, potentially changing their legal standing in the country. Those with later dates must continue to wait for further advancements in subsequent monthly bulletins.
The takeaway
Applicants should verify their priority date against the new chart to confirm their eligibility for the November 2026 filing window. Keeping track of these monthly bulletins is essential for anyone currently navigating the U.S. employment-based green card process.
Further reading
For more information on current application procedures, visit the Immigration section.
Live Poll
Should the U.S. government prioritize faster processing for employment-based immigrant visa applications?
