EB-3 China: November 2025 cutoffs unchanged from October 2025

For EB-3 China, including Skilled Workers/Professionals and the Other Workers (EW) subcategory, nothing changed from October 2025 to November 2025. Both months show identical cutoff dates on both charts.

• Final Action (Chart A) stayed at:
  • EB-3 China (Skilled Workers/Professionals): 01MAR2021
  • EB-3 China – Other Workers: 01DEC2017

• Dates for Filing (Chart B) stayed at:
  • EB-3 China (Skilled Workers/Professionals): 01JUL2023
  • EB-3 China – Other Workers: 01DEC2021

This means that, in November 2025, cases can only be approved if their priority dates are earlier than 01MAR2021 (main EB-3 China) or earlier than 01DEC2017 (Other Workers)—exactly the same posture as October 2025. Likewise, the filing opportunities did not expand or contract month-over-month.

Applicants inside the United States 🇺🇸 should note that using Chart B to file adjustment of status depends on a monthly decision by USCIS; the government makes that call each month. The monthly bulletins instruct applicants to check that USCIS notice before sending adjustment packets.

How the Visa Bulletin Works Each Month

The Visa Bulletin runs on two charts that serve different purposes:

• Final Action Dates (Chart A): This is the approval gate. A green card can be issued (consular) or an adjustment of status approved (inside the United States) only if the case’s priority date is earlier than the posted cutoff. A date signals oversubscription; “C” means current (no wait); “U” means unavailable (no numbers that month).

• Dates for Filing (Chart B): This is the filing gate. If an applicant’s priority date is earlier than the filing cutoff, the person can submit the case documentation to enter the queue. For those already in the United States, a separate monthly USCIS decision determines whether Chart B can be used to file adjustment that month.

Key operational notes:

• Allocations are made in priority-date order within numerical limits.
• The Department of State sets the lines using demand data up to a stated cut-off:
  • October 2025 used demand received by September 3, 2025.
  • November 2025 used demand received by October 1, 2025.
• If demand rises faster than supply, a category becomes oversubscribed and shows a date. Late-month demand can cause retrogression (moving the date backward) to stay within ceilings.

For primary reference on these monthly mechanics and charts, see the Department of State’s guidance on the Monthly Visa Bulletin, which explains how Final Action and Dates for Filing operate and how to read the charts.

Step-by-Step: What to Do If You’re in the EB-3 China Line

1) Confirm your priority date and subcategory
– Find your priority date (the filing date of the labor certification if required, or the immigrant petition date when no labor certification is required).
– Confirm whether your case is in EB-3 Skilled Workers/Professionals or EB-3 Other Workers. All following steps depend on this starting point.

2) Compare your date to both charts for the month
– If your priority date is earlier than the Final Action date for your line, you’re eligible for approval in that month’s allocation.
– If your priority date is earlier than the Dates for Filing cutoff, you may submit your documents to enter the queue. For those inside the United States, check USCIS’s monthly notice to see whether Chart B is authorized for adjustment filing that month.

3) Decide your filing path
– Consular processing: Watch Chart B to know when to send documents to the National Visa Center (NVC).
– Adjustment of status: If you’re in the U.S. and USCIS authorizes Chart B, you may file earlier than Chart A; if not, Chart A controls both filing and approval inside the country.

4) Prepare and maintain your case file
– Keep job offer details, civil documents, police certificates, and medicals ready.
– Refresh any expiring or changed key documents so you can act quickly when your date becomes current.

5) Recheck each month and note the reporting cutoff
– The Department of State’s allocation reflects demand up to a specific internal date (e.g., September 3 for October 2025, October 1 for November 2025).
– Review the new bulletin as soon as it posts, compare both charts, and re-check USCIS’s chart selection for adjustment filing.

Scenario Guide: Where You Stand by Priority Date

Use these examples to map your case against the October 2025 and November 2025 lines for EB-3 China:

• Priority date: February 15, 2021 (main EB-3 China)
  • Earlier than 01MAR2021 → Eligible for approval in both October and November 2025, provided all other steps are complete.
• Priority date: March 10, 2021 (main EB-3 China)
  • After 01MAR2021 → Not current for approval.
  • Filing possibilities depend on location:
  • Inside the U.S.: You can file only if USCIS authorizes Chart B that month.
  • Outside the U.S.: You can submit documents to the NVC under Chart B and wait for Final Action.
• Priority date: November 25, 2017 (EB-3 Other Workers, China)
  • Earlier than 01DEC2017 → Current for approval in both months, subject to case readiness and security checks.
• Priority date: December 10, 2017 (EB-3 Other Workers, China)
  • After 01DEC2017 → Approval must wait.
  • Filing line at 01DEC2021 is well ahead, so you can assemble and submit documents and then wait for Final Action.
• Priority date: May 15, 2023 (main EB-3 China)
  • Earlier than 01JUL2023 (Chart B) → Eligible to file when Chart B is usable. Must still wait for Chart A to advance for approval.

These examples show how a flat month affects applicants:
– Those before Final Action lines can proceed to approval.
– Those behind may still benefit by filing early under Chart B (if permitted), which gets their case into the pipeline.

Employer Actions and Case Readiness

Even though EB-3 China showed no movement from October to November 2025, employers should continue proactive maintenance:

• Keep the job offer steady
  • EB-3 relies on a valid, full-time job offer. If core terms change, consult counsel to assess whether a new filing is required.
• Maintain documentation
  • Ensure civil records and job-related evidence remain current.
  • Respond promptly if the NVC requests documents to keep the case “documentarily complete.”
• Prepare for interviews and approvals
  • If your date is earlier than Final Action, you could receive an approval or interview notice. A well-prepared package reduces delays.
• Monitor internal and external dependencies
  • Security checks, case transfers, and document reviews proceed even in flat months. Keep HR and counsel informed to avoid missed requests.

What to Expect from Authorities During a Flat Month

When the Visa Bulletin doesn’t move, the system still advances cases at the set lines:

• Allocation stays aligned with the posted cutoffs
  • The Department of State assigns visa numbers in date order up to the available monthly supply. A steady line suggests demand at and behind the cutoff consumes available numbers.
• No change to filing eligibility
  • Because Dates for Filing held steady, filing windows remain the same. If Chart B was usable in October (subject to USCIS), it remained usable in November; if not, no change occurred.
• Adjustment filing depends on USCIS’s monthly choice
  • Even in a flat month, USCIS may allow some applicants to file under Chart B. If USCIS limits filing to Chart A, only those with priority dates before 01MAR2021 (main EB-3 China) or 01DEC2017 (Other Workers) can file and be approved.
• NVC holds documentarily complete cases until current
  • For consular applicants already documentarily complete, the NVC keeps the file ready until Final Action covers the case and the consulate proceeds.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, flat months usually reflect stable demand meeting the available supply at the existing line, consistent with the bulletin rules noted in your materials.

Wider Context and Why the Lines Held Steady

Your supplied numbers place EB-3 China in a broader picture that also remained unmoved:

• Worldwide EB-3 Final Action: 01APR2023 (both months)
• EB-3 India: 22AUG2013 (both months)
• Philippines & Mexico: matched Worldwide at 01APR2023 (main EB-3)
• EB-3 Other Workers (Worldwide): 15JUL2021 (both months)
• Other Workers — India: 22AUG2013 (both months)
• Other Workers — Philippines & Mexico: 15JUL2021 (both months)
• Other Workers — China: 01DEC2017 (both months)

Dates for Filing stability across both months:

• Main EB-3:
  • Worldwide 15JUL2024
  • China 01JUL2023
  • India 01JAN2022
  • Philippines 15JUL2024
• EB-3 Other Workers:
  • Worldwide 01JUL2023
  • China 01DEC2021
  • India 01OCT2018
  • Philippines 01JUL2023

China remains among the oversubscribed chargeability areas (with India, Mexico, and the Philippines), which is why EB-3 China shows dated cutoffs rather than “C.” In oversubscribed categories, long stretches of flat movement are normal when demand near the line closely matches monthly and annual visa supply.

Statutory and administrative context noted in your materials:

• Worldwide employment-based baseline: at least 140,000.
• Per-country cap: 7% of employment-based visas.
• Dependent area cap: 2%.
• EB-3 Other Workers annual limit for FY 2026 includes a NACARA-related reduction of approximately 150 visas — yet EB-3 China – Other Workers still showed no movement.

Practical Checklist for October 2025 and November 2025

• EB-3 China (Final Action): 01MAR2021 (Oct & Nov 2025)
• EB-3 China – Other Workers (Final Action): 01DEC2017 (Oct & Nov 2025)
• EB-3 China (Dates for Filing): 01JUL2023 (Oct & Nov 2025)
• EB-3 China – Other Workers (Dates for Filing): 01DEC2021 (Oct & Nov 2025)

What you should do now:

• If your priority date is before the Final Action line: Make sure your file is ready for approval.
• If your priority date is after Final Action but before Filing: Prepare to submit documents; check USCIS’s monthly chart selection to see if Chart B is authorized for adjustment filing.
• If your priority date is after both lines: Keep documents updated and check the next bulletin. You will need a future month before you can file or be approved.

For applicants and employers in China, the steady posture from October 2025 to November 2025 means no immediate tactical changes. Keep your case prepared, watch both charts every month, and follow the government’s monthly announcement that decides whether Chart B is available for adjustment of status filings. The month-to-month cycle is the heartbeat of this process; staying organized and ready ensures you can move as soon as your date allows.

For USCIS’s monthly decision about whether to use Chart B for adjustment filings, check USCIS’s monthly notice on Chart A/Chart B selection at USCIS monthly notice.