The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for November 2025, providing the latest cut-off dates for both family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visa categories. This monthly bulletin determines when applicants can move forward with either the National Visa Center (NVC) or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to complete their green card process.
For many immigrants, these updates represent more than just numbers — they define the timeline to reunite with family, begin new careers, or finally achieve permanent residency in the United States.
The November 2025 bulletin offers a mixed outlook: while family-based categories show modest forward movement, the employment-based preference categories remain mostly stagnant, particularly for high-demand countries like India and China.
As always, the bulletin also confirms which chart — Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing — applicants should use for their submissions in November.
What Is the US Visa Bulletin?
The U.S. Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication issued by the Department of State (DOS) that tells applicants when they can move forward in the green card process. It applies to individuals waiting for family-sponsored or employment-based immigrant visas, helping them determine whether their priority date is current.
Each applicant’s place in line depends on their priority date, which is usually the date their petition (Form I-130 or I-140) was filed. Because there are annual limits on how many green cards are issued per category and per country, the Visa Bulletin helps manage demand.
There are two key charts in every bulletin:
Final Action Dates (FAD):
Indicates when visas can actually be issued. If your priority date is earlier than the listed date, your application can move forward.
Dates for Filing (DFF):
Allows applicants to prepare and submit paperwork earlier while waiting for the final approval window to open.
Each month, USCIS confirms which chart applicants should use — Final Action or Dates for Filing — depending on the available visa numbers and workload projections.
Key Highlights for November 2025
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for November 2025, offering limited but notable changes across employment- and family-based categories.
While several preference categories remain unchanged from October, a few areas show modest progress — particularly in family-based visas, which continue to inch forward after months of slow movement.
Here’s a summary of what stands out in the November 2025 Visa Bulletin:
Employment-Based (EB) Categories:
No forward movement in EB-2 and EB-3 categories for India and China, continuing the long-standing backlog. Other countries (Rest of World) see only minor date advancements.
Family-Sponsored (FB) Categories:
Modest progress in F2A (spouses and children of permanent residents) and F4 (siblings of U.S. citizens), while most other categories remain static.
USCIS Chart for Filing:
USCIS has confirmed that applicants should use the “Dates for Filing” chart for both family- and employment-based cases in November. This allows certain applicants to file early, even if final action dates haven’t yet advanced.
In summary, the November 2025 bulletin brings more stability than movement, with significant delays still affecting India and China’s employment-based categories, while family categories continue gradual recovery.
Employment-Based Visa Updates
The employment-based (EB) section of the November 2025 Visa Bulletin shows continued stagnation for high-demand countries, while the rest of the world maintains limited forward movement. The categories are divided into five preferences (EB-1 through EB-5), but the focus remains on EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 — the most used for skilled workers and professionals.
Here’s an overview of the key employment-based categories this month:
| Category | Final Action Date (FAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current for all countries except India and China | India and China remain retrogressed, with no movement reported. |
| EB-2 | Slight forward movement for the Rest of the World (ROW) | India remains severely backlogged around May 2012; China shows no advancement. |
| EB-3 | Mostly static across categories | Minor progress for ROW countries; India and China remain unchanged. |
Family-Sponsored Visa Updates
The family-sponsored categories in the November 2025 Visa Bulletin continue to show gradual movement, offering some relief for applicants waiting under the F1 through F4 categories. These categories include immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents — a group that makes up a significant portion of annual immigrant visas.
Summary of Movements
F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens):
Slight forward advancement of a few weeks across most regions, continuing slow but steady progress.
F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents):
Remains current for most countries, allowing continued visa issuance without delay.
F2B (Unmarried Adult Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents):
Small forward movement observed for Mexico and the Philippines; static for other regions.
F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens):
Virtually unchanged from October 2025, maintaining long processing timelines.
F4 (Brothers and Sisters of U.S. Citizens):
Shows modest advancement — a positive sign after months of limited updates, especially for the Philippines and other select countries.
Overall, the November 2025 bulletin reflects a cautiously optimistic outlook for family-based applicants, particularly those in F2A and F4, as backlogs begin to ease in several regions.
What This Means for Applicants
The November 2025 Visa Bulletin highlights the importance of careful timing and preparation for all green card applicants. Whether you’re applying through family or employment categories, understanding when your priority date becomes current is crucial to avoid delays.
If Your Priority Date Is Current
Applicants whose priority dates are now current under the Final Action Dates chart can proceed with completing the final steps of their immigrant visa or adjustment of status process.
For NVC (National Visa Center) cases: Submit all required civil documents and fees promptly to avoid delays.
For USCIS cases (Adjustment of Status): Ensure your Form I-485 is properly filed and includes all supporting evidence such as medical exams, affidavits, and updated employment verification.
If Your Date Is Not Yet Current
Applicants whose dates remain pending under Dates for Filing should continue monitoring both the Department of State and USCIS websites for any future movement. Filing early, when allowed by USCIS, ensures your application is ready once visa numbers become available.
Stay Informed
USCIS often issues updates mid-month confirming which chart to use. Applicants are encouraged to:
Check the official USCIS Visa Bulletin page monthly.
Subscribe to email alerts for updates.
Review their priority date regularly to ensure timely submission.
In short, the November 2025 bulletin reflects stability, not stagnation. It’s a reminder that even small movements can be meaningful in the long journey toward U.S. permanent residency.
Conclusion
The US Visa Bulletin for November 2025 offers a snapshot of the current state of U.S. immigration — a month defined by cautious progress and continued waiting for many. With limited movement in employment-based categories and small but steady advancements in family-sponsored visas, most applicants will continue monitoring their priority dates closely in the months ahead.
As the U.S. immigration system continues to balance demand and visa availability, even slight adjustments in the Visa Bulletin can make a major difference for those awaiting permanent residency.
Applicants are advised to prepare documentation early, follow USCIS filing guidance, and check for mid-month updates regarding chart usage. The next Visa Bulletin — for December 2025 — is expected to be released in mid-November, offering another look at whether backlogs may begin to ease as the new year approaches.