The US Visa Bulletin November 2026 brings limited progress for Indian employment-based green card applicants, with the EB-3 category advancing by three weeks while the EB-1, EB-2 and EB-5 categories remain unchanged.
The latest update offers some movement for Indian professionals waiting for US permanent residency, although long-standing backlogs continue to affect many applicants.
The US Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin each month to explain when immigrant visas may become available across employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
The November bulletin was released in October and outlines the cut-off dates that determine whether eligible applicants can proceed with their green card applications.
US Visa Bulletin November 2026: Key Changes for Indians
The most notable employment-based development for Indian applicants is in the EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers category.
Its Final Action Date advances from January 1, 2014, to January 22, 2014, representing a three-week improvement.
The EB-3 category covers eligible professionals and skilled workers seeking permanent residence through employment. Although the date movement is modest, it may help applicants whose priority dates fall within the newly eligible period, provided they meet all other requirements.
The EB-1 category, which includes priority workers, remains at February 1, 2023, for India.
The EB-2 category, used by eligible professionals with advanced degrees and people with exceptional ability, remains at November 1, 2013.
India’s EB-5 Unreserved category also remains unchanged, with a Final Action Date of December 1, 2023.
These unchanged dates mean that the November update does not bring broad progress across all employment-based routes for Indian applicants.
November Filing Dates Remain Unchanged for Most Indian Applicants
The Final Action Date and the Date for Filing serve different purposes.
The Final Action Date determines when a green card or immigrant visa may be approved, subject to eligibility and visa availability.
The Date for Filing indicates when applicants may be able to begin the documentation process, depending on the applicable rules.
For November 2026, India’s employment-based Dates for Filing remain unchanged.
The EB-1 filing date is July 1, 2024, while EB-2 and EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers both have a filing date of January 15, 2015. The EB-3 Other Workers category also remains at January 15, 2015, for India.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that employment-based applicants may use the Dates for Filing chart in November to determine whether they can submit an adjustment-of-status application.
Applicants must have a priority date earlier than the applicable cut-off and meet the other requirements.
What the November Visa Bulletin Means for Green Card Applicants
The latest bulletin provides selective progress rather than a major reduction in India’s employment-based green card backlog.
Applicants in EB-3 may benefit from the three-week advancement, while those waiting in EB-1, EB-2 and EB-5 will see no change in their Indian Final Action Dates this month.
Applicants should check their priority dates against both relevant charts and confirm which chart applies to their case before submitting documents.
A filing date becoming eligible does not mean that a green card will be approved immediately.
The monthly Visa Bulletin can change as demand and the number of available immigrant visas evolve.
Indian professionals waiting for permanent residency should monitor future updates and consult a qualified immigration professional if they need guidance on their individual circumstances.
