November 2025 Visa Bulletin: F2A and F2B Advance Slightly, EB Categories Unchanged

Index

• November 2025 Visa Bulletin Summary and Key Highlights
• DV Lottery 2027 (Diversity Visa) Has Not Yet Opened: Official State Department Update
• November 2025 Family-Based Green Card Dates for Filing
• November 2025 Employment-Based Green Card Dates for Filing
• Visa Bulletin Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Need Help Understanding Your Green Card Timeline?

Check the November 2025 Visa Bulletin to see if your priority date is current and if you can begin the green card process.

This month's update to the November 2025 Visa Bulletin is relatively quiet overall.

There are no changes in the employment-based (EB) green card categories; both the Final Action and Dates for Filing charts are identical to those in the October bulletin.

In contrast, there was a small but notable movement in the family-based categories: the F-2A category (spouses and children of green card holders) advanced by one month.

For November, USCIS will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart for employment- and family-based green card applications.

This means that applicants already living in the United States may be able to submit their green card application (Form I-485) earlier than expected, allowing them to apply for work authorization (EAD) and travel permits (Advance Parole) while waiting for their green cards to be processed.

November 2025 Visa Bulletin Summary and Key Highlights

• Mentioned before, there are no changes to the employment-based (EB) green card categories in the November Visa Bulletin.
• This stability indicates that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of State are managing the fiscal year (FY) 2026 visa allocations cautiously and evenly.
• The EB-4 Religious Worker category is also "unavailable" this month. The program will only reopen if Congress reauthorizes it. Once reapproved, the category will immediately become active again with the same cutoff dates.

For family-based petitions:

• The F-2A category (spouses and children of green card holders) moved forward one month in the Dates for Filing chart, advancing from September 22, 2025, to October 22, 2025.
• The F-2B category (unmarried adult sons and daughters of green card holders) advanced by about two months and one week, from January 1, 2017, to March 8, 2017.
• On the Final Action Dates side, movement was minimal: The F-2B category advanced only nine days for all countries.
• F-3 (married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens) advanced 15 days for Mexico only.
• No retrogressions were reported this month.
• This calm update reflects the typical pattern seen at the start of a new fiscal year.
• More significant movement is expected later in the year, usually between December and March.

DV Lottery 2027 (Diversity Visa) Has Not Yet Opened: Official State Department Update 

One of the most notable highlights in the November 2025 Visa Bulletin is the official update on the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program.

• The U.S. Department of State confirmed that the DV-2027 registration period has not yet opened and that the dates will be "widely publicized in the coming months."
• This delay is significant because the Diversity Visa registration period usually starts during the first week of October each year. For the 2027 program, however, technical and administrative changes are being implemented, causing the process to be postponed.
• According to immigration law experts, the most likely reason for the delay is the introduction of a new $1 electronic registration fee for DV-2027 applicants. This new payment system aims to reduce fraudulent or speculative registrations and distribute administrative costs more fairly among applicants.
• As always, applications will only be accepted through the official State Department website.

November 2025 Family-Based Green Card Dates for Filing 

November 2025 Employment-Based Green Card Dates for Filing

EB-1 Priority Workers

EB-2 Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability

EB-3 Professionals & Skilled Workers

EB-3 Other Workers (Unskilled Workers)

EB-4 Certain Special Immigrants

EB-5 Investor Categories

EB-5 Unreserved

EB-5 Set-Asides (Rural / High Unemployment / Infrastructure)

Visa Bulletin Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why are there so few changes in the November 2025 Visa Bulletin?

At the start of a new fiscal year, from October to November, the U.S. Department of State typically approaches visa demand with caution. This helps prevent sudden retrogressions later in the year. The system tends to remain stable during these initial months, with the majority of movement typically occurring between December and March.

2. What does it mean when the Religious Worker category is “Unavailable”?

“Unavailable” means that no visa numbers are currently available in that category. The EB-4 Religious Worker program depends on congressional reauthorization. Once Congress renews it, the category will automatically reopen and continue from the same cutoff dates.

3. What should applicants in the F-2A or EB-2 categories do next month?

These categories remain among the most favorable. If your priority date is “current,” you should file your Form I-485 (green card application) without delay. Doing so allows you to apply for a work permit (EAD) and travel document (Advance Parole) while you wait for your green card to be processed.

4. What is a Priority Date?

A priority date is the date your petition or labor certification was first received by USCIS or the Department of Labor. Your priority date determines your place in line for a green card. When the date shown in the Visa Bulletin is the same as or later than your priority date, your case is considered current, and you can proceed with your application.

5. What do “C” (Current) and “U” (Unavailable) mean in the Visa Bulletin?

C (Current): There is no waiting time in this category. Anyone with an approved petition can apply right away. 

U (Unavailable): The category is closed for the month, and no visas can be issued until it reopens.

Need Help Understanding Your Green Card Timeline?

If you’re unsure when or which chart to use for your green card filing, the Gozel Law Firm team can guide you.

Submitting your application at the right time is one of the most important steps in the process.

Contact us today to review your case and plan your filing strategy with our immigration attorneys.