The November 2026 Visa Bulletin shows EB-2 advancing three months under Chart A, while USCIS continues to allow filings based on the earlier dates listed in Chart B.
In short
- Chart B opens filing for adjustment of status, while Chart A governs green card approval: these are two different dates.
- EB-2 rest of world advanced 3 months in November 2026 — to April 1, 2025 under Chart A.
- For India, only EB-3 advanced in November — by 21 days, to January 22, 2014; EB-1 and EB-2 stayed unchanged.
- Chart B movement is nearly zero: only the EB-3 other workers category advanced, by one month.
- An applicant who missed filing for adjustment of status in October still has that right in November.
Chart A vs. Chart B: What’s the Difference
The Visa Bulletin publishes two tables, and each one serves a different purpose. Chart B is the Dates for Filing table: USCIS accepts an adjustment of status application if the applicant’s priority date is earlier than the date listed in Chart B for their category and country. Chart A is the Final Action Dates table: this is the table that governs the actual approval of a green card, meaning the grant of permanent resident status.
The difference between the two tables determines the sequence of steps for an applicant. First, the priority date has to clear the Chart B threshold — that’s what opens the door to filing adjustment of status paperwork. Then, for the case to be approved and the green card issued, the priority date has to clear the later threshold set by Chart A. As a result, an applicant can legally file a case under Chart B rules but still have to wait for approval until their date clears the later date in Chart A.
an applicant can legally file a case under Chart B rules but still have to wait for approval until their date clears the later date in Chart A
Chart B opens the right to file an adjustment of status application; Chart A opens the right to get the green card itself. These are different dates and different points in time.
EB-2 and EB-3 in November 2026: Worldwide Dates
For the rest of world category (every country except India, China, and the Philippines), Chart A brought a notable jump for EB-2 in November: the priority date moved from January 1, 2025 to April 1, 2025 — a three-month advance. Applicants from Mexico and the Philippines received the same three-month advance to April 1, 2025.
EB-3 worldwide moved more modestly — one month, from May 15, 2024 to June 15, 2024. EB-1 remains current: applicants with any priority date can file without being held up by the queue.
On Chart B, the Dates for Filing table, there is almost no movement in November: the only change is that the EB-3 other workers category advanced one month, while every other filing date for EB-1 through EB-5 stayed the same.
| Category | Chart A: Previous | Chart A: Now | Advance |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-2 (rest of world, Mexico, Philippines) | 01/01/2025 | 04/01/2025 | 3 months |
| EB-3 (rest of world) | 05/15/2024 | 06/15/2024 | 1 month |
| EB-1 (rest of world) | current | current | no change |
This limited movement may be tied to the particulars of the new fiscal year: a temporary pause on issuing immigrant visas for a number of countries was in effect earlier, and the State Department now appears to be keeping a more conservative pace on number issuance.
In November, EB-2 rest of world jumped 3 months (to April 1, 2025), while EB-3 moved just 1 month (to June 15, 2024). EB-1 remains current.
Priority Dates for India and China in November 2026
| Country | Category | November Priority Date | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | EB-1 | August 1, 2023 | +1 month |
| China | EB-2 | October 1, 2021 | no change |
| China | EB-3 | January 22, 2022 | +14 days |
| India | EB-1 | February 1, 2023 | no change |
| India | EB-2 | November 1, 2013 | no change |
| India | EB-3 | January 22, 2014 | +21 days |
| Philippines | EB-1 | current | — |
| Philippines | EB-2 | April 1, 2025 | +3 months |
| Philippines | EB-3 | August 15, 2023 | no change |
For India, only EB-3 advanced — by 21 days, to January 22, 2014: EB-1 and EB-2 stayed at their previous dates. China’s movement is a bit more visible: EB-1 moved a month, to August 1, 2023, EB-3 moved 14 days, to January 22, 2022, while EB-2 didn’t change at all.
The Philippines’ situation differs from India and China: on EB-2, the country advances together with the rest of the world — a full 3 months, to April 1, 2025. EB-3 for the Philippines, however, is calculated separately from the worldwide date and stayed at August 15, 2023 in November. EB-1 for the Philippines, as with the rest of the world, remains current.
EB-3 for the Philippines, however, is calculated separately from the worldwide date
For India, only EB-3 advanced — by 21 days. For China, EB-1 moved one month, EB-3 moved 14 days, and EB-2 didn’t change at all.
Priority Dates by EB Category, November 2026
Table scrolls sideways
| Category | China | India | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | August 1, 2023 (+1 month) | February 1, 2023 (no change) | current |
| EB-2 | October 1, 2021 (no change) | November 1, 2013 (no change) | April 1, 2025 (+3 months) |
| EB-3 | January 22, 2022 (+14 days) | January 22, 2014 (+21 days) | August 15, 2023 (no change) |
Data from Chart A (final action dates) for November 2026.
What Employers Should Check When Handling Green Card Cases
Movement on Chart B in November is minimal — only the EB-3 other workers category advanced, by one month, while every other Chart B filing date for EB-1 through EB-5 stayed unchanged. That means an applicant who could have filed for adjustment of status in October but didn’t still has the right to file in November. For employers whose employees are waiting on EB-1 through EB-3 movement, this is a signal to keep working on several fronts at once:
- H-1B extensions beyond the six-year limit. For employees in H-1B status, employers should evaluate the possibility of extending beyond six years — this is especially relevant while priority dates haven’t moved yet.
- Maintaining valid nonimmigrant status. While the green card application is waiting in the queue, it matters that the employee’s underlying status stays valid without gaps.
- Checking eligibility for a different employment-based category. If company policy allows, it’s worth reviewing whether another employment-based category with a more favorable priority date fits the employee.
- Monitoring portability and job changes. For employees who have a pending adjustment of status application, employers need to track portability under AC21 rules, any change in job duties, and whether the permanent position the sponsorship was originally filed for is still in place.
While the Chart B queue is barely moving, consider evaluating H-1B extensions beyond 6 years, watching for gaps in employee status, and tracking portability under AC21.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file for adjustment of status under Chart B if my priority date hasn’t cleared Chart A yet
Yes, this is the standard situation: Chart B opens the ability to file adjustment of status paperwork before the priority date clears the later Chart A threshold. The application can be filed and work authorization under an EAD can be obtained, while the green card approval decision waits its turn under Chart A.
What happens if an applicant missed filing adjustment of status paperwork in October
Since the Chart B filing dates barely changed in November, an applicant who could have filed in October but didn’t still has the right to file in November — the window hasn’t closed.
Why are the dates for India and China moving slower than the rest of the world
India and China have separate priority dates because of high demand from these countries, so their tables are calculated apart from the worldwide chart. In November 2026, both countries advanced only by a handful of days or stayed unchanged on EB-2 and EB-3, while the rest of the world jumped three months on EB-2.
Do I need to refile for adjustment of status if my priority date already cleared Chart B last month
No, refiling is not required: if the priority date was already earlier than the Chart B threshold in a prior month, the application remains valid and waits for Chart A to advance for the final decision, regardless of any later changes to the filing dates table.
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