November 2026 Visa Bulletin: What Changed for EB-1 and EB-2
EB-2 advances to April 1, 2025 for most countries, EB-1 China to August 1, 2023, and USCIS accepts the filing-dates chart. What it means for EB-1A and NIW.
The November 2026 Visa Bulletin is the second of the government’s 2027 fiscal year. For founders and talent on the EB-1A and EB-2 NIW paths, the movement is small, and all of it is forward. Here is what changed since October.
What changed
- EB-1 stays current for most of the world. If you were born outside China and India, there is still no queue.
- EB-1 China moves forward one month. Its final action date advances to August 1, 2023. India holds at February 1, 2023.
- Worldwide EB-2 moves forward three months. EB-2 for the rest of the world, including Mexico and the Philippines, advances from January 1, 2025 to April 1, 2025.
- EB-2 India and China hold. India stays at November 1, 2013 and China at October 1, 2021.
- Filing dates don’t change. Every EB-1 and EB-2 date in the Dates for Filing chart is the same as in October.
| Category | Final action | Filing date |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 · rest of world | Current | Current |
| EB-1 · China | Aug 1, 2023 | Jul 1, 2024 |
| EB-1 · India | Feb 1, 2023 | Jul 1, 2024 |
| EB-2 · rest of world | Apr 1, 2025 | Mar 15, 2026 |
| EB-2 · China | Oct 1, 2021 | Jan 1, 2023 |
| EB-2 · India | Nov 1, 2013 | Jan 15, 2015 |
“Rest of world” includes Mexico and the Philippines. Your place in line is set by your priority date, usually the date your I-140 was filed, and by your country of birth, not your citizenship.
Who it affects
The change that matters most is EB-2 for the rest of the world. If you were born outside China and India and your EB-2 NIW priority date falls between January 1 and March 31, 2025, your green card can now move to approval, once your I-140 is approved. With a later priority date, you are still waiting. EB-1A applicants from most countries are not affected.
What to do now
- File your I-485 if you can. USCIS is accepting the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based adjustment of status again in November. If you were born outside China and India and your EB-2 priority date is before March 15, 2026, you can file now and get work and travel permits while you wait.
- Look at EB-1A. If your record supports it, EB-1A is current for most countries and can be faster than waiting in EB-2.
- Check again next month. Cutoffs move every month, and forward movement now doesn’t promise more later in the year.
Dates are from the November 2026 Visa Bulletin. They change monthly, and USCIS decides each month which chart it accepts. Check the current bulletin before you act.