November Visa Bulletin 2026 predictions are drawing attention from U.S. immigration applicants because the October bulletin has established the first cutoff dates of fiscal year 2027. As of October 2, 2026, the U.S. Department of State has not released the November 2026 Visa Bulletin. That means October remains the latest official reference point for employment-based and family-sponsored immigrant visa availability.
The October bulletin is especially important because it opened fiscal year 2027 with a new annual supply of immigrant visa numbers. It also introduced changes across several employment-based categories. Some dates advanced, while certain categories for applicants from countries other than India, China, Mexico and the Philippines moved backward to remain within fiscal-year limits.
For applicants waiting for a green card, the October figures provide the confirmed starting position for the month ahead. The November bulletin will determine whether individual categories move forward, remain unchanged or move backward.
Until that bulletin is published, applicants should separate confirmed government information from unofficial estimates. The latest official dates are the figures that should guide immigration planning.
October 2026 Sets the Starting Point for November
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin is the first bulletin of fiscal year 2027.
The federal fiscal year began on October 1, 2026. Each new fiscal year brings a new annual allocation of immigrant visa numbers under the limits established by U.S. immigration law.
The Department of State reported that dates advanced in several immigrant visa categories for October. At the same time, some employment-based categories for the rest of the world experienced retrogression because the government needed to keep visa issuances within fiscal-year quarterly and annual limits.
This creates an important starting point for November.
A new fiscal year can restore visa availability after annual limits are reached, but it does not guarantee continuous advancement from one month to the next. Demand, priority dates and available visa numbers continue to determine how the cutoff system operates.
The October bulletin therefore provides the most reliable information available before the November bulletin is released.
Employment-Based Final Action Dates for October 2026
The following employment-based Final Action Dates are officially in effect for October 2026:
| Employment Category | Worldwide | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | July 1, 2023 | February 1, 2023 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | January 1, 2025 | October 1, 2021 | November 1, 2013 | January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2025 |
| EB-3 | May 15, 2024 | January 8, 2022 | January 1, 2014 | May 15, 2024 | August 15, 2023 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | January 1, 2022 | October 1, 2019 | January 1, 2014 | January 1, 2022 | January 1, 2022 |
| EB-4 | December 15, 2022 | December 15, 2022 | December 15, 2022 | December 15, 2022 | December 15, 2022 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Current | December 1, 2016 | December 1, 2023 | Current | Current |
A “Current” category means immigrant visa numbers are available to qualified applicants without a listed cutoff date, subject to the applicable immigration requirements.
For categories with a date, the applicant’s priority date generally must be earlier than the listed Final Action Date for a visa number to be authorized.
These October dates are the confirmed numbers applicants should use when reviewing their current position.
EB-1 India Enters the November Period at February 1, 2023
India’s EB-1 category has a Final Action Date of February 1, 2023 in October 2026.
This is the confirmed starting point for November.
The October bulletin lists EB-1 as current for applicants chargeable to the worldwide category, Mexico and the Philippines. China has a July 1, 2023 cutoff, while India has the February 1, 2023 cutoff.
Applicants with Indian chargeability should therefore compare their priority date with February 1, 2023 when reviewing October eligibility.
A November cutoff cannot be confirmed until the Department of State publishes the November bulletin.
The same principle applies to applicants preparing for adjustment of status. The applicable USCIS filing guidance must be checked for the month in which the Form I-485 application is submitted.
EB-2 India Has a November 1, 2013 Final Action Date
The October 2026 EB-2 India Final Action Date is November 1, 2013.
That is one of the most closely watched employment-based dates for Indian applicants.
The October Dates for Filing chart provides a later date of January 15, 2015 for EB-2 India. This difference is significant because the two charts serve different purposes.
A priority date that falls before the Dates for Filing cutoff does not automatically mean the applicant has reached the Final Action Date.
Applicants must determine which chart applies to their case and whether USCIS has authorized the use of the Dates for Filing chart for adjustment-of-status applications during the applicable month.
The confirmed October position remains November 1, 2013 for Final Action purposes.
EB-3 India Has a January 1, 2014 Final Action Date
India’s EB-3 category has an October 2026 Final Action Date of January 1, 2014.
The Dates for Filing date is January 15, 2015.
The difference between these two dates can affect applicants at different stages of the green card process.
Someone with a priority date before January 15, 2015 may fall within the October filing window when the applicable filing chart permits it. That does not automatically mean the applicant has a visa number available for final approval.
The Final Action Date remains the key date for determining whether an immigrant visa number can be authorized under the applicable rules.
The November bulletin will provide the next official update.
China Employment-Based Dates Provide Another Important Baseline
China enters the November period with several established employment-based cutoff dates.
The October 2026 Final Action Date for EB-1 China is July 1, 2023.
EB-2 China has a Final Action Date of October 1, 2021.
EB-3 China has a Final Action Date of January 8, 2022.
The Dates for Filing chart is later in several categories.
For EB-1 China, the filing date is July 1, 2024. EB-2 China has a January 1, 2023 filing date, while EB-3 China has an April 1, 2024 filing date.
Applicants should not automatically treat the later filing dates as final approval dates.
The applicable chart and the applicant’s individual priority date determine the next available step.
Worldwide EB-2 and EB-3 Dates Also Matter
Applicants from countries that are not separately listed in the Visa Bulletin have their own worldwide cutoff dates.
For October 2026, the worldwide EB-2 Final Action Date is January 1, 2025.
The worldwide EB-3 Final Action Date is May 15, 2024.
EB-1 is current for the worldwide category.
However, the October bulletin also shows why applicants should not assume that worldwide categories will automatically advance each month. Some employment-based categories for the rest of the world were retrogressed in October to keep visa issuances within fiscal-year limits.
The November bulletin will establish the next official position.
October Dates for Filing Give Applicants Another Important Reference
The employment-based Dates for Filing chart for October 2026 contains the following dates:
| Category | Worldwide | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | July 1, 2024 | July 1, 2024 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | March 15, 2026 | January 1, 2023 | January 15, 2015 | March 15, 2026 | March 15, 2026 |
| EB-3 | August 1, 2024 | April 1, 2024 | January 15, 2015 | August 1, 2024 | January 1, 2024 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | June 1, 2022 | October 1, 2020 | January 15, 2015 | June 1, 2022 | June 1, 2022 |
| EB-4 | January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2025 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Current | March 1, 2021 | May 1, 2024 | Current | Current |
These dates are particularly relevant to applicants preparing adjustment-of-status filings.
USCIS determines each month whether applicants may use the Dates for Filing chart instead of the Final Action Dates chart.
Therefore, applicants should not rely on the State Department chart alone when preparing a Form I-485 filing.
Why Final Action Dates and Filing Dates Are Different
The two Visa Bulletin charts serve different purposes.
The Final Action Dates chart determines when immigrant visa numbers are available for final action, subject to the relevant immigration requirements.
The Dates for Filing chart identifies when applicants may begin submitting required documentation to the National Visa Center in the consular processing system.
For adjustment-of-status applicants, USCIS determines which chart can be used for filing during a particular month.
This distinction becomes especially important when a category has a large gap between its two dates.
India’s EB-2 category provides a clear example in October 2026. Its Final Action Date is November 1, 2013, while its Dates for Filing date is January 15, 2015.
Applicants should therefore avoid treating every date in the Visa Bulletin as an immediate green card approval date.
Family-Sponsored Categories Enter November With October Cutoffs
The October 2026 bulletin also establishes family-sponsored cutoff dates.
For the worldwide category, the October Final Action Dates include:
- F1: January 22, 2020
- F2A: September 22, 2026
- F2B: August 22, 2019
- F3: October 22, 2014
- F4: October 22, 2011
India has separate dates in some family-sponsored categories.
For India, the October F1 date is January 22, 2020. F2A is September 22, 2026, F2B is August 22, 2019, F3 is October 22, 2014, and F4 is December 15, 2006.
The Dates for Filing chart contains different dates.
For example, the worldwide F1 filing date is February 1, 2020, while the worldwide F2A category is current under the October filing chart.
These figures establish the official October position. November dates remain pending.
What the Start of Fiscal Year 2027 Means
Fiscal year 2027 began on October 1, 2026.
The new fiscal year restored access to annual immigrant visa allocations after the end of fiscal year 2026.
This reset was particularly important for certain employment categories. The Department of State had previously announced that all available EB-2 immigrant visas for India had been used for fiscal year 2026. The annual limits reset when fiscal year 2027 began.
As a result, EB-2 India became available again under the October 2026 Visa Bulletin.
That development explains why the October bulletin is an important reference for applicants monitoring the November situation.
The availability of new fiscal-year numbers does not remove the numerical limits that govern each category.
Why Visa Bulletin Movement Can Change
Visa Bulletin cutoff dates depend on actual visa demand and statutory numerical limits.
The Department of State receives demand information from consular processing posts. USCIS also provides information concerning adjustment-of-status applicants.
The government uses this information when determining how many visa numbers can be allocated within each preference category.
When demand exceeds the available supply, a cutoff date may be established or moved backward.
When sufficient numbers are available, a date may move forward.
This process means applicants should examine each new bulletin independently.
The October bulletin already demonstrates that movement can differ between categories and chargeability areas.
What Applicants Should Check Before November
Applicants following the November Visa Bulletin should focus on several confirmed details.
Check the Final Action Date. Compare the published cutoff with the priority date shown on the applicant’s approved petition or other applicable immigration record.
Check the Dates for Filing chart. This chart can affect when documentation or adjustment-of-status applications may be submitted.
Check USCIS instructions. Adjustment-of-status applicants should confirm which chart USCIS permits for the month.
Check the chargeability area. Visa Bulletin dates can differ according to the applicant’s country of chargeability.
Check the category. EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4 and EB-5 have separate numerical rules and cutoff dates.
These steps provide a more accurate way to assess a case than relying on general movement reports.
November Visa Bulletin 2026 Predictions Must Be Read Carefully
The current information allows applicants to identify the official starting point for November, but it does not establish November cutoff dates.
The October bulletin remains the latest confirmed government publication as of October 2, 2026.
The most important employment-based dates entering the month are:
| Category | October 2026 Final Action Date |
|---|---|
| EB-1 India | February 1, 2023 |
| EB-2 India | November 1, 2013 |
| EB-3 India | January 1, 2014 |
| EB-1 China | July 1, 2023 |
| EB-2 China | October 1, 2021 |
| EB-3 China | January 8, 2022 |
| Worldwide EB-2 | January 1, 2025 |
| Worldwide EB-3 | May 15, 2024 |
These are confirmed October dates rather than November results.
That distinction is essential for applicants who are close to their cutoff date.
Important Difference Between Visa Availability and Filing Eligibility
An applicant can be close to a cutoff date without being immediately eligible for final approval.
Final Action Dates concern visa availability for final action.
Dates for Filing can permit earlier steps in the immigration process when the applicable government agency authorizes their use.
USCIS separately determines the chart that adjustment-of-status applicants can use each month.
This means an applicant should review all three pieces of information:
- The applicant’s priority date.
- The Department of State Visa Bulletin.
- USCIS’s monthly adjustment-of-status filing guidance.
Looking at only one of these items can lead to an incorrect conclusion about filing eligibility.
What the October Bulletin Confirms About November
The latest official information establishes several facts.
Fiscal year 2027 has begun.
New annual immigrant visa numbers are available under the statutory system.
October introduced updated employment-based and family-sponsored cutoff dates.
India’s EB-2 category became available again after its fiscal-year 2026 allocation had been exhausted.
Several categories advanced in October.
Some rest-of-world employment categories also experienced retrogression.
The government continues to monitor visa availability and demand.
These confirmed developments provide the factual background for the November bulletin.
They do not establish what the November cutoff dates will be.
Key Dates Applicants Should Keep in Mind
The most important confirmed October dates include:
- EB-1 India: February 1, 2023
- EB-2 India: November 1, 2013
- EB-3 India: January 1, 2014
- EB-1 China: July 1, 2023
- EB-2 China: October 1, 2021
- EB-3 China: January 8, 2022
- Worldwide EB-2: January 1, 2025
- Worldwide EB-3: May 15, 2024
- India EB-2 Dates for Filing: January 15, 2015
- India EB-3 Dates for Filing: January 15, 2015
- China EB-2 Dates for Filing: January 1, 2023
- China EB-3 Dates for Filing: April 1, 2024
These figures provide the latest confirmed reference points available before the November bulletin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the November Visa Bulletin 2026 predictions right now?
As of October 2, 2026, there are no official November cutoff dates. The October 2026 Visa Bulletin is the latest confirmed government information. Applicants should use those dates as the current baseline until the November bulletin is published.
What is the October EB-2 India Final Action Date?
The October 2026 EB-2 India Final Action Date is November 1, 2013.
What is the October EB-3 India Final Action Date?
The October 2026 EB-3 India Final Action Date is January 1, 2014.
What is the October EB-1 India date?
The October 2026 EB-1 India Final Action Date is February 1, 2023.
What is the October EB-2 China date?
The October 2026 EB-2 China Final Action Date is October 1, 2021.
What is the October EB-3 China date?
The October 2026 EB-3 China Final Action Date is January 8, 2022.
Has the November 2026 Visa Bulletin been released?
No. As of October 2, 2026, the November 2026 Visa Bulletin has not been officially released.
Can applicants use October dates for November filings?
Applicants should not assume that October dates automatically apply to November. The applicable monthly Visa Bulletin and USCIS filing instructions govern adjustment-of-status filings.
Does a Dates for Filing cutoff mean a green card is immediately available?
No. The Dates for Filing chart and Final Action Dates chart serve different purposes. Reaching a filing date does not automatically mean that an immigrant visa number is available for final approval.
Why did EB-2 India become available again in October?
The fiscal year 2026 allocation for EB-2 India had been exhausted. The start of fiscal year 2027 on October 1 restored the annual allocation, allowing the category to become available again under the October bulletin.
Can Visa Bulletin dates retrogress?
Yes. Cutoff dates can move backward when visa demand and statutory limits require the Department of State to restrict availability.
What should applicants watch for in the November bulletin?
Applicants should compare November’s Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing with the October figures, then check USCIS guidance if they are preparing an adjustment-of-status filing.
Final Takeaway
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin provides the most current confirmed picture as November approaches. India, China and worldwide employment categories each enter the month with specific cutoff dates, while the beginning of fiscal year 2027 has restored annual visa availability after the limits of fiscal year 2026.
For applicants, the most useful approach is to track the official monthly cutoff dates, understand the difference between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing, and check USCIS instructions before taking action on an adjustment-of-status application.
As November approaches, the official Visa Bulletin will provide the next confirmed update on where each category stands.