On October 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced the visa bulletin for November this year. The bulletin includes the Application Final Action Dates (A table) and Dates for Filing Applications (B table). In the Family-Sponsored category of the Application Final Action Dates, only the F2B category (unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. permanent residents aged 21 and above) born in mainland China moved forward by nine days. The rest remained unchanged.
In terms of Employment-Based immigrants born in mainland China, there were significant movements in the third preference other (unskilled) worker category, advancing by 9 years and 6 months, while the fourth preference category saw the biggest retrogression of 7 and a half months. The first preference category shifted from “Current” to waiting for a priority date.
For Dates for Filing Applications in the Family-Sponsored category for applicants born in mainland China, only the F2A and F2B categories saw slight progress.
In the Dates for Filing Applications for Employment-Based immigrants born in mainland China, the third preference other (unskilled) worker category saw the most significant advancement of 10 years and 4 months.
Notably, the Application Final Action Dates (A table) provide the dates when the immigration bureau can approve green cards. Applicants who submit their petitions (e.g., I-140/I-130/I-526) before the published date may receive approval that month. The Dates for Filing Applications (B table) indicate the priority dates that the immigration bureau can accept green card applications. These priority dates are typically mentioned in the Notice of Action received after submitting the petition, labor certification approval, or I-140 receipt. If the priority date is earlier than the date published in the B table, applicants can file the I-485 application that month.
The U.S. Congress issues approximately 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas annually, covering five priority areas: EB-1 for outstanding individuals, EB-2 for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities in arts, sciences, or business, EB-3 for skilled workers and professionals without advanced degrees, EB-4 for special immigrants like religious workers, and EB-5 for investors.
Regarding U.S. immigration policy, mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau are considered separate jurisdictions. Hong Kong and Macau visa quotas are not included in the “China” category. However, due to the PRC’s “one country, two systems” policy, Hong Kong is now incorporated into the same EB-5 visa bulletin system as mainland China.