Published on October 30, 2026
The November 2026 visa bulletin brought changes worth knowing, because they affect both family petitions and employment categories. The good news is that some groups still have an open path, and this article explains which ones.
In brief: the essentials of the November 2026 visa bulletin
The visa bulletin is published monthly by the Department of State and determines who may move to the next step of their case.
In November 2026, most family categories again have a waiting line, meaning they are not immediately available to everyone.
The most relevant exception is spouses and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents, whose category ended up very close to being up to date.
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens do not depend on these lines, because the law does not impose an annual numerical limit on them.
On the employment side, the EB-1 category remains available worldwide in general.
By contrast, the EB-2 category stopped being immediately available and now carries a cut-off date.
The exact dates change every month and vary by country of birth, so they must always be checked in the official bulletin.
Important: a category being available does not automatically mean a person qualifies. Admissibility requirements still apply.
What is the visa bulletin and what is it for?
It is a monthly Department of State publication that works like a traffic light. The law sets a limited number of immigrant visas per year for most categories, and the bulletin indicates whose turn it is to move forward, in order of arrival.
That order is marked by the priority date, which is the date the petition was filed. Therefore, when the date published in the bulletin reaches or passes your priority date, it is your turn to take the next step.
The bulletin contains two different charts, and it helps not to confuse them. One shows when an application may be filed. The other shows when it may be approved and the visa or residence granted. Each month, the authorities announce which of the two applies.
What changed for family petitions?
Most categories again have a line. That is, between the moment the petition is filed and the moment the person may take the next step, there is now a waiting period.
However, there is an important exception worth highlighting. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents ended up in the most advanced position among all family categories.
This is key: if you are the spouse or a child under 21 of a permanent resident, your case is worth reviewing now rather than six months from now.
It helps to explain why that category matters so much. When a category is up to date or very close to it, the person can take the next step without waiting for a turn. Therefore, a window that is open today could narrow in coming bulletins, as already happened with other categories this year.
Who does not depend on these waiting lines?
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. Federal law exempts them from the annual numerical limit, so they do not have to wait for a turn in the bulletin.
That group covers three very specific relationships:
Spouse of a U.S. citizen: does not depend on the bulletin line.
Unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen: does not depend on the line.
Parent of a U.S. citizen, when the citizen is 21 or older: does not depend on the line.
Brother or sister of a U.S. citizen: does depend on the line.
Married child, or child 21 or older, of a U.S. citizen: does depend on the line.
Source: 8 U.S.C. § 1151(b)(2)(A)(i) and § 1153(a). Verified on October 30, 2026.
Note: being exempt from the line does not remove the other requirements. For example, how the person entered the country remains decisive.
What requirements matter besides the visa bulletin?
Three that come up again and again in real cases. The first is having entered lawfully or having been admitted or paroled, when the goal is to process residence inside the United States.
The second is not having accrued unlawful presence, because the law provides specific consequences for someone who remained in the country without authorization for certain periods. And the third is having maintained status, a requirement that weighs especially in the preference categories.
That said, each of these points has nuances and exceptions that cannot be resolved by reading an article. For that reason we recommend reviewing them case by case with an attorney before making any decision.
In addition, it is worth knowing that these requirements do not apply equally to everyone. For example, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens have specific protections in the law that do not reach the preference categories. That is, two people with similar histories can end up with very different results.
What changed in the employment categories?
Two things moving in different directions, and it helps to tell them apart.
On the one hand, the EB-1 category remains available in general terms. That category is designed for executives and managers of multinational companies, for outstanding professors and researchers, and for people with extraordinary ability in their field.
On the other hand, the EB-2 category stopped being immediately available. In November 2026 it appears with a cut-off date, which means there is now a waiting period where the month before many people could move ahead right away.
Important: cut-off dates vary by country of birth. Therefore, two people in the same category may face very different waiting times.
It is also worth mentioning the EB-3 category, which covers skilled workers and professionals. That category likewise appears with a cut-off date. That is, the employment picture is now split: one category open and several with a line.
Does this mean my case stopped?
Not necessarily, and this distinction matters a great deal. A retrogression in the bulletin affects when you may take the next step, but it does not erase your petition or your priority date.
That is, your place in line is preserved. By contrast, what changes is how long you must wait to reach the counter.
Likewise, it is worth remembering that the bulletin moves in both directions. Some months it advances and others it retrogresses, depending on demand and visa availability. For that reason we recommend checking it month to month rather than drawing final conclusions from a single figure.
There is also a practical reason not to panic. A category that retrogresses one month can advance again later, and that has happened repeatedly over the years. Therefore, the useful response is to stay informed and keep your file in order, rather than making a hurried decision based on a single month's chart.
How do I read the visa bulletin without making a mistake?
With three pieces of information in hand. First, your priority date, which appears on the receipt notice for your petition. Second, your category, which depends on the family relationship or the type of employment. And third, your country of birth, which does not always match your current nationality.
With those three items you can find the right box in the chart. However, the most common error is looking at the wrong chart, because each month the authorities announce which of the two applies.
You can consult the official bulletin directly on the Department of State website, which we link at the end of this article.
One last practical tip. Each month, save a screenshot of the chart that applies to you, with the date visible. That way you can track how your category moves over time and notice when it is worth acting.
What do we recommend?
We recommend four simple steps. First, locate and save your priority date, because without it the bulletin cannot be read. Second, check the bulletin every month, since the dates are updated.
Third, keep your address current with immigration authorities, because important notices arrive by mail. And fourth, if your category moved, review your case before acting.
At our firm, that review takes place in a consultation with attorney Jesús Reyes. Our consultations are not free. However, they allow a thorough look at your file and an honest answer about the alternatives available in your specific situation. We also offer emergency consultations, which are scheduled sooner and cost more. You can schedule your consultation here.
It is also worth knowing about our family petitions and work and investor visa services.
Frequently asked questions about the visa bulletin
What exactly is my priority date?
It is the date the petition on your behalf was filed, and it marks your place in line. It appears on the receipt notice issued by the authorities.
I am the spouse of a permanent resident. Can I move forward now?
Your category ended up in the most advanced position among the family categories in November 2026. That said, moving forward also depends on how you entered the country and on your immigration history, so it is worth reviewing.
Why does my brother wait longer than I do?
Because the category for siblings of U.S. citizens receives fewer visas each year and usually has the longest line of all.
My category retrogressed. Do I lose what I gained?
No. Your petition and your priority date are preserved. What changes is when your turn to take the next step arrives.
Does the visa bulletin apply the same way to every country?
No. Some countries with high demand have different dates, so waiting times can vary considerably by country of birth.
Where do I check the official bulletin?
On the Department of State website, which we link at the end. A new edition is published there every month.
Conclusion
The November 2026 visa bulletin left a mixed picture: longer lines in most family categories and in EB-2, but an open path for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, for EB-1 and, among the family categories, for spouses and minor children of permanent residents.
Therefore, the recommendation is not to be alarmed but to locate yourself. In fact, knowing exactly which category you are in and what priority date you hold is worth more than any forecast. It is important that you verify your category before making decisions.
If you have questions about your case or about this month's bulletin, contact us. We handle cases worldwide from our office in Miami, Florida. We are here to advise you and review your specific situation.
See also our frequently asked questions and the rest of the updates on our blog, such as our article on visa revocations in 2026.
