Adjustment of status applicants, both family and employment-based, must use the filing chart. The Final Action chart shows when residence is approved.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) states that for November 2026, people applying for permanent residence from within the United States must use the Dates for Filing chart of the Department of State's Visa Bulletin, in both family and employment categories.
According to the USCIS page on filing charts, last revised on October 5, 2026, applicants “must use the Dates for Filing chart” in the November bulletin. The instruction is the same one USCIS published for October.
Two charts, two functions
Each month, the Visa Bulletin includes two charts. The Dates for Filing chart indicates when an adjustment of status application may be submitted. The Final Action chart indicates when residence may be approved, based on each person's priority date.
USCIS further explains that a category may file under the Final Action chart in a month if it shows “current” there or if its Final Action Date is later than its filing date. That rule applies only to that month.
What the employment Final Action Dates mean
For migrant workers, the November bulletin sets these Final Action Dates, in the order rest of the world, China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines:
- First preference: current for the rest of the world, Mexico, and the Philippines; August 1, 2023 for China; February 1, 2023 for India.
- Second preference: April 1, 2025 for the rest of the world, Mexico, and the Philippines; October 1, 2021 for China; November 1, 2013 for India.
- Third preference (professionals and skilled workers): June 15, 2024 for the rest of the world and Mexico; January 22, 2022 for China; January 22, 2014 for India; August 15, 2023 for the Philippines.
- Other workers: June 1, 2022 for the rest of the world and Mexico; October 1, 2019 for China; January 22, 2014 for India; January 1, 2022 for the Philippines.
The fifth preference, investors, unreserved is current for the rest of the world, Mexico, and the Philippines, and the rural reserve is also current. For China and India, check the dates in the bulletin.
Families: the F2A category
In the family categories, the Final Action Date for F2A, spouses and minor children of permanent residents, is October 22, 2026 for most countries and April 22, 2026 for Mexico. In the Dates for Filing chart, F2A is current in all areas.
What does it mean to you?
- If you have an adjustment of status case, compare your priority date with the November Dates for Filing chart, not the Final Action chart, to see whether you can file.
- Filing does not mean approval: permanent residence is only granted when your priority date reaches the Final Action Date for your category and country.
- Dates change every month. Check the bulletin for the month in which you plan to file.
- If your case is consular processing rather than adjustment of status, the Department of State handles the process.
What can you do?
- Find your priority date on the approval notice for your petition (Form I-797).
- Check the chart for your category and country in the Visa Bulletin.
- Check the USCIS page to confirm which chart applies to the month. For your particular case, consult an immigration attorney or an accredited organization.
Legal notice: This information is general and does not replace the advice of a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the Department of Justice.
