The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in coordination with the Department of State (DOS), has officially released the Visa Bulletin for November 2025, announcing that applicants from all countries can now file their Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications for family-sponsored and employment-based preference immigrant visas.
This long-awaited update marks a critical opportunity for foreign nationals worldwide who are seeking to become lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) of the United States.
What This Means for Applicants Worldwide?
The Adjustment of Status process allows individuals already in the U.S. on valid visas to apply for permanent residency (Form I-485) without returning to their home country. For those applying from abroad, this bulletin provides the key filing dates to help determine eligibility for an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
This update affects millions of families, professionals, and skilled workers who have already had petitions filed or approved on their behalf under family or employment categories. Applicants whose priority dates fall before the dates listed in the November 2025 Visa Bulletin can now proceed with filing.
️Understanding “When to File” Your AOS for US?
To check if you are eligible to file in November 2025, follow these steps:
- Find Your Visa Category — Identify your category in the “Family-Sponsored” or “Employment-Based” chart.
- Locate Your Country of Birth — Check the corresponding column for your country.
- Compare Dates — If your priority date (the date your petition was filed or labor certification accepted) is earlier than the date shown—or the chart shows a “C” (Current)—you can submit your application.
- “U” Means Unavailable — Some categories remain unauthorized for issuance (“U”), meaning new filings are not permitted this month.
The New Dates to Know to File Your AOS in November 2025
Family-Sponsored Preference Categories
| Category | All Chargeability Areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01 SEP 2017 | 01 SEP 2017 | 01 SEP 2017 | 01 MAR 2007 | 22 APR 2015 |
| F2A | 22 OCT 2025 | 22 OCT 2025 | 22 OCT 2025 | 22 OCT 2025 | 22 OCT 2025 |
| F2B | 08 MAR 2017 | 08 MAR 2017 | 08 MAR 2017 | 15 MAY 2009 | 01 OCT 2013 |
| F3 | 22 JUL 2012 | 22 JUL 2012 | 22 JUL 2012 | 01 JUL 2001 | 01 NOV 2005 |
| F4 | 01 MAR 2009 | 01 MAR 2009 | 15 DEC 2006 | 30 APR 2001 | 01 JAN 2008 |
Employment-Based Preference Categories
| Category | All Chargeability | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | 15 MAY 2023 | 15 APR 2023 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | 15 JUL 2024 | 01 DEC 2021 | 01 DEC 2013 | 15 JUL 2024 | 15 JUL 2024 |
| EB-3 | 01 JUL 2023 | 01 JAN 2022 | 15 AUG 2014 | 01 JUL 2023 | 01 JUL 2023 |
| Other Workers | 01 DEC 2021 | 01 OCT 2018 | 15 AUG 2014 | 01 DEC 2021 | 01 DEC 2021 |
| EB-4 | 15 FEB 2021 | 15 FEB 2021 | 15 FEB 2021 | 15 FEB 2021 | 15 FEB 2021 |
| Certain Religious Workers | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Current | 01 JUL 2016 | 01 APR 2022 | Current | Current |
| EB-5 Set Asides (Rural/High Unemployment/Infrastructure) | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
About the Visa Bulletin and Filing Reforms
The monthly Visa Bulletin, published by the U.S. Department of State, provides a snapshot of current visa availability under the annual quota set by Congress. The November 2025 update continues the implementation of reforms introduced in the 2014–2015 modernization initiative, which aimed to:
- Improve transparency and predictability in visa processing,
- Ensure the maximum annual allocation of immigrant visas, and
- Streamline the pathway for eligible nonimmigrant workers to adjust status to permanent residency.
The Visa Bulletin now features two key charts per category:
- Final Action Dates — When visas can be officially issued.
- Dates for Filing — When applicants can submit their I-485 applications.
USCIS determines monthly which chart to use for filing based on visa availability and demand trends.
How USCIS Determines Visa Availability?
Every month, USCIS and DOS assess:
- The number of available visas for the rest of the fiscal year,
- The number of pending adjustment applications, and
- The historical attrition rate (denials, withdrawals, or abandonments).
This analysis ensures the government issues every visa Congress authorizes each year, preventing wastage and reducing long backlogs across family and employment categories.
Global Impact and Advice for Applicants
This November 2025 update is a significant opening for many waiting families and skilled professionals around the world.
- Applicants from India and China may continue to face long backlogs in EB-2 and EB-3 categories.
- Applicants from other regions, including Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Philippines, will benefit from “current” or nearly current filing dates.
- Family-based categories like F2A (spouses and children of permanent residents) are current for all countries, allowing immediate filing.
Those eligible should file as early as possible within the window to avoid delays, as visa numbers are limited and subject to retrogression if demand exceeds projections.
What to Do Next?
- Review your priority date and category.
- Visit the official USCIS page for the “When to File Your Adjustment of Status” instructions.
- Gather all required documents:
- Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status)
- Proof of lawful entry (I-94)
- Approved I-130 or I-140 petition
- Medical examination (Form I-693)
- Supporting civil documents (birth, marriage, etc.)
- File your application before the cut-off date.
Applicants outside the U.S. should continue following Consular Processing through the National Visa Center (NVC).
Key Takeaway
The November 2025 Visa Bulletin is live — and the Adjustment of Status filing window is open.
If your priority date is current, you are eligible to file your Form I-485 and take a crucial step toward becoming a U.S. permanent resident.