Green card visa backlogs change every month and can move backward. USCIS has stated that for filing Form I-485 inside the United States in November 2026, both the family-sponsored preference categories and the employment-based categories use the Dates for Filing chart. Below are this month's Dates for Filing for China-born applicants. The information is current as of November 7, 2026. This page is updated monthly, and the latest official bulletin controls.
November 2026 Family Immigration Visa Backlog
| Category | Applicant | Dates for Filing for people born in mainland China |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | Adult unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens | February 1, 2021 |
| F2A | Spouses and minor children of green card holders | C |
| F2B | Adult unmarried sons and daughters of green card holders | September 1, 2020 |
| F3 | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens | November 1, 2015 |
| F4 | Siblings of U.S. citizens | November 1, 2012 |
Spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives and do not use this chart. For the marriage green card process, see Marriage Green Card.
November 2026 Employment-Based Visa Backlog
| Category | Dates for Filing for people born in mainland China |
|---|---|
| EB-1 | July 1, 2024 |
| EB-2 | January 1, 2023 |
| EB-3 skilled workers and professionals | April 1, 2024 |
| EB-3 other workers | October 1, 2020 |
| EB-4 | January 1, 2025 |
| EB-5 unreserved | March 1, 2021 |
| EB-5 set-aside categories (rural, high unemployment, infrastructure) | C |
For EB-2 and NIW, see EB-2 green card, and for EB-3, see EB-3 Lawyer.
How to read the chart
- Find your priority date. It is generally shown on your approval notice.
- Find the box for your place of birth and category. The place of birth is generally yours, though your spouse's place of birth can sometimes be used. This must be confirmed case by case.
- If your priority date is earlier than the date in the chart, you have reached it. If the chart shows C, that category is not limited by a cutoff date for the month.
The difference between the two charts
The Visa Bulletin has two charts. The Dates for Filing chart determines when you may file Form I-485, and the Final Action Dates chart determines when an application may be approved. USCIS announces each month which chart to use. It may be different next month, so do not rely on what you did last month.
The Final Action Date usually lags behind the Date for Filing, so it is an earlier date. For example, in November 2026 for EB-3 applicants born in mainland China, the Final Action Date is January 22, 2022 and the Date for Filing is April 1, 2024.
Check before filing
- The chart USCIS designates for the month.
- Whether your priority date and category are accurate.
- Whether your status in the U.S. has been continuous, and whether there are any other entry or status issues.
- If the applicant is outside the United States, consular processing applies, the rules differ, and this must be confirmed separately.
Contact us
Consultations in Chinese: 347-618-3386. For our services, see Immigration Legal Services.
FAQ
What does C mean in the chart?
C means visas are currently available, so that category is not limited by a cutoff date for the month. All other requirements must still be met, and it does not mean an application will be approved.
Which date is my priority date?
It depends on the type of case. For employment-based cases that require PERM, it is generally the date the Department of Labor accepted the PERM application. For family-based cases and employment-based cases that do not require PERM, it is generally the date USCIS received the petition. Use the date shown on your approval notice.
Can I get a green card once my priority date reaches the Date for Filing?
No. Once your priority date reaches the Date for Filing, you may file Form I-485, but approval must wait until your priority date reaches the Final Action Date.
Sources: uscis.gov, uscis.gov, travel.state.gov. The information above is current as of November 7, 2026. Immigration rules and fees may change, so check the latest official requirements before you file.
Attorney Advertising. This article is general information and is not legal advice on any particular case. Eligibility, procedures and outcomes depend on the facts of each case, the applicable law and the decision of the government agency.