WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of State has released the November 2026 Visa Bulletin, bringing mixed news for Indian green card applicants. Employment-based Final Action Dates for EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 India remain unchanged from October, while several family-sponsored categories advance by approximately one year.
For Indian professionals waiting in employment-based green card backlogs, November offers stability rather than fresh progress. For families waiting to reunite with relatives in the United States, however, the new bulletin contains more encouraging movement.
India employment-based green card dates
The November bulletin confirms the following Final Action Dates for applicants chargeable to India.
|
Category |
October 2026 |
November 2026 |
Change |
|---|---|---|---|
|
EB-1 India |
Feb. 1, 2023 |
Feb. 1, 2023 |
No change |
|
EB-2 India |
Nov. 1, 2013 |
Nov. 1, 2013 |
No change |
|
EB-3 India |
Jan. 1, 2014 |
Jan. 22, 2014 |
Advances 21 days |
|
Other Workers |
Jan. 1, 2014 |
Jan. 22, 2014 |
Advances 21 days |
|
EB-5 Unreserved |
Dec. 1, 2023 |
Dec. 1, 2023 |
No change |
|
EB-5 Set-Asides |
Current |
Current |
No change |
EB-1 and EB-2 India remain unchanged
For Indian professionals in the EB-1 category, November’s Final Action Date remains February 1, 2023. The Dates for Filing cutoff also stays at July 1, 2024.
EB-2 India similarly holds at November 1, 2013 for Final Action and January 15, 2015 for filing.
This means November brings no new cutoff-date movement for either category, although eligible applicants with earlier priority dates may continue progressing through the applicable immigration process.
EB-3 India advances slightly
Unlike EB-1 and EB-2, EB-3 India moves forward by 21 days, from January 1 to January 22, 2014.
The EB-3 Dates for Filing cutoff remains January 15, 2015.
For applicants whose priority dates fall within this narrow advancement window, the movement could make a difference to final visa availability, provided all other requirements are satisfied.
EB-5 India remains stable
The EB-5 unreserved Final Action Date remains December 1, 2023, while its Dates for Filing cutoff stays May 1, 2024.
The rural, high-unemployment and infrastructure investment set-aside categories remain Current for India. This does not guarantee approval; applicants must still meet the relevant immigration and investment requirements.
Family-sponsored categories bring larger advances
The November bulletin offers more substantial movement for Indian family-sponsored applicants.
|
Category |
October Final Action |
November Final Action |
|---|---|---|
|
F1 – Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens |
Jan. 22, 2020 |
Jan. 22, 2021 |
|
F2A – Spouses and minor children of permanent residents |
Sept. 22, 2026 |
Oct. 22, 2026 |
|
F2B – Unmarried adult children of permanent residents |
Aug. 22, 2019 |
Aug. 22, 2020 |
|
F3 – Married children of U.S. citizens |
Oct. 22, 2014 |
Oct. 22, 2015 |
|
F4 – Siblings of adult U.S. citizens |
Dec. 15, 2006 |
Dec. 15, 2006 |
The F1, F2B and F3 categories each advance by one year, while F2A advances by one month. F4 India remains unchanged, illustrating the continuing backlog for sibling-sponsored immigration.
What Indian applicants should do next
The November bulletin contains two separate sets of dates, and understanding the difference is essential.
Final Action Dates indicate when immigrant visa numbers may be authorized for eligible applicants. Dates for Filing indicate when qualifying applicants may begin submitting documentation under the applicable process.
Applicants applying for adjustment of status inside the United States must also follow USCIS’s separate monthly chart-selection instructions. The State Department bulletin alone does not establish which chart USCIS will permit for Form I-485 filings.
Before taking action, applicants should verify their priority date, preference category and country of chargeability, then review the official USCIS Visa Bulletin filing-chart guidance.
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