EB-2 advances three months to April 1, 2025 for most countries, Mexico and the Philippines in the November 2026 bulletin, reversing part of October’s RetrogressionWhen a Visa Bulletin cutoff date moves backward, usually because demand exceeded the numbers available for that category.See it in the glossary. EB-3 moves one month for most countries and Mexico, and EB-3 Other Workers moves five months.
China and India saw far smaller changes. EB-2 for both held, while EB-3 gained two weeks for China and three weeks for India.
Employment final action dates: what moved
| Category and area | October | November | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 China | Jul 1, 2023 | Aug 1, 2023 | Up 1 month |
| EB-2 most countries, Mexico, Philippines | Jan 1, 2025 | Apr 1, 2025 | Up 3 months |
| EB-3 most countries, Mexico | May 15, 2024 | Jun 15, 2024 | Up 1 month |
| EB-3 China | Jan 8, 2022 | Jan 22, 2022 | Up 14 days |
| EB-3 India | Jan 1, 2014 | Jan 22, 2014 | Up 21 days |
| Other Workers most countries, Mexico | Jan 1, 2022 | Jun 1, 2022 | Up 5 months |
| Other Workers India | Jan 1, 2014 | Jan 22, 2014 | Up 21 days |
Unchanged: EB-1 stays current for most countries, Mexico and the Philippines and at February 1, 2023 for India. EB-2 China and India hold at October 1, 2021 and November 1, 2013. EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers hold at December 15, 2022 in every area, and unreserved EB-5 holds at December 1, 2016 for China and December 1, 2023 for India.
Dates for Filing barely move
The filing chart changed in one place: EB-3 Other Workers for most countries and Mexico advanced one month, to July 1, 2022. EB-2 for most countries stays at March 15, 2026, which is nearly a year past the new final action date, and EB-3 stays at August 1, 2024.
Which chart USCIS accepts
USCIS announces separately which chart applicants use to file Adjustment of statusThe process of applying for a green card from within the United States, rather than through a consulate abroad. Filed on Form I-485.See it in the glossary applications, on its own filing charts page. Law firm Fragomen reports that employment-based applicants may use the Dates for FilingThe Visa Bulletin chart showing the earliest priority dates for which applicants may submit documents, or in some months file for adjustment of status, ahead of a visa number being available.See it in the glossary chart in November. Last month’s chart report explains why the choice matters.
Annual limits
The bulletin sets the worldwide employment-based level for fiscal year 2027 at no fewer than 140,000 and the Per-country limitThe cap, set at 7 percent of the combined family and employment totals, on how many preference visas may go to natives of any single country in a fiscal year.See it in the glossary at 25,620. It says the reduction in the EB-3 Other Workers annual limit for NACARA will be about 150 this year.
For the October moves, read EB-2 and EB-3 Move Back. The differences between the two categories are covered in EB-2 versus EB-3, and the EB-3 Other Workers guide explains that line.