The United States has released its November 2026 Visa Bulletin, bringing encouraging news for some Indian family-sponsored green card applicants while offering only limited progress for employment-based categories. The latest update advances several family preference dates by a year, but thousands of Indian professionals waiting for employment-based permanent residency will continue to face lengthy backlogs.
The bulletin, issued by the US Department of State, outlines when applicants may qualify to receive an immigrant visa or move forward with their green card applications.
Family-Sponsored Green Card Dates Advance by One Year
The biggest movement in the November bulletin comes in three family-sponsored categories: F1, F2B and F3. Their final action dates have advanced by approximately one year, potentially allowing some applicants with older priority dates to move closer to permanent residency.
The categories cover:
- Q1: Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens.
- F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older of US permanent residents.
- F3: Married sons and daughters of US citizens.
The F2A category, which covers spouses and children of US permanent residents, also sees its final action date advance by one month. Its Dates for Filing category remains current, subject to the applicable filing rules.
However, the F4 category, covering brothers and sisters of adult US citizens, remains unchanged. Its final action date for Indian applicants stays at December 15, 2006, reflecting the long waiting periods in this category.
Indian Employment-Based Applicants See Limited Progress
The picture is less encouraging for Indian professionals seeking green cards through employment.
The EB-1 category, used by priority workers including certain individuals with extraordinary ability, remains unchanged for India, with a final action date of February 1, 2023.
The EB-2 category, which covers professionals holding advanced degrees and individuals with exceptional ability, also remains unchanged. India’s final action date stands at November 1, 2013.
The EB-3 category, covering skilled workers, professionals and certain other workers, records modest progress. Its final action date for Indian applicants advances by 21 days, from January 1, 2014, to January 22, 2014.
The Dates for Filing chart for most employment-based categories remains unchanged for India, meaning applicants must check the relevant chart rather than assume that a final action date movement automatically allows them to file.
Why Visa Bulletin Dates Matter
The Visa Bulletin contains two important sets of dates.
Final Action Dates determine when an immigrant visa may be issued or a green card application approved, subject to eligibility and visa availability.
Dates for Filing indicate when eligible applicants may begin submitting documents or applications. For adjustment-of-status applications filed inside the US, applicants must also follow USCIS instructions on which chart applies that month.
A priority date generally reflects when the relevant immigration petition was filed. Applicants must compare that date with the applicable category and country cutoff to determine whether they can proceed.
What Indian Applicants Should Do Next
Applicants should review the November bulletin against their individual priority dates, immigration categories and country of chargeability. Those whose dates have advanced should confirm whether they qualify to file or receive final approval.
Although the family-sponsored movement offers progress for some applicants, it does not eliminate the substantial queues affecting Indian immigrants. Employment-based applicants in EB-1 and EB-2, in particular, will need to continue monitoring subsequent monthly bulletins.
Summary
The November 2026 US Visa Bulletin brings major progress for Indian family-sponsored green card applicants, with F1, F2B and F3 final action dates advancing by about one year. F2A advances by one month, while F4 remains unchanged. For employment-based applicants from India, EB-1 and EB-2 remain stagnant, and EB-3 advances by only 21 days to January 22, 2014.