Visa Bulletin Holds Steady in November 2025 as Families See Modest Gains

According to the November 2025 Visa Bulletin published on October 15, 2025, the U.S. State Department has confirmed that USCIS will accept adjustment applications based on the "Dates for Filing" chart for both family and employment categories. This means that some applicants can file earlier, even though final approvals still await the "Final Action Dates."

The employment-based categories show no movement compared to October. For example, the Final Action Dates for EB-1 India remain at February 15, 2022, and EB-1 China stays at December 22, 2022. The family-sponsored categories, however, see modest shifts, with select lines moving forward slightly while most stay unchanged.

Officials emphasize that visa number availability still governs final approvals, and employers should audit their rosters for workers whose priority dates meet the Filing chart. Attorneys note the flat employment charts in November follow early-fiscal-year patterns, and some firms project potential advancements in early 2026 if usage and demand align.

Overall, the November 2025 Visa Bulletin maintains the status quo for employment-based categories, while family-sponsored lines see selective, modest progress. Applicants can now file earlier using the "Dates for Filing" chart, though final approvals still depend on the "Final Action Dates."