Families watching the F2B line—the category for unmarried sons and daughters (21+) of lawful permanent residents—got a clearer picture in November 2025 of where cases stand and what they can do next. Using the October-to-November 2025 Visa Bulletin change, the headline is simple: the Final Action Dates moved a little for India, China (mainland-born), and Mexico, while the Philippines stayed the same; the Dates for Filing opened more room for India, China, and Mexico, and stepped forward one month for the Philippines. That split matters. Final Action Dates decide when a green card can actually be issued. Filing Dates decide when a case can get into the pipeline. The right plan for November depends on which chart you rely on and where your priority date falls.
How the two Visa Bulletin charts guide your steps
The monthly family-sponsored charts in the Visa Bulletin come in two parts, and both matter for F2B planning:
- Final Action Dates (Chart A): This is the finish line. A case can be approved only when the priority date is earlier than the posted cut-off. If you’re at a consulate, that’s when a visa number can be issued; if you’re inside the United States 🇺🇸 and adjusting status, that’s when USCIS can finally approve your case.
- Dates for Filing (Chart B): This is the doorway into the process. A case can send documents to the National Visa Center (NVC), or, for adjustment of status cases, may be able to file with USCIS if USCIS announces Chart B is in use for that month.
The Department of State posts both charts each month; you can see the current family-sponsored tables on the Visa Bulletin page. For adjustment applicants, USCIS tells you monthly which chart controls filings on its Visa Bulletin filing charts page.
Because Chart B often runs ahead of Chart A, getting to file earlier can help families move paperwork forward, clear document checks, and—if filing for adjustment—apply for work and travel documents while waiting for final approval.
November 2025 vs. October 2025: exact changes and what they mean
Final Action Dates (Chart A)
– India: advanced from 22NOV2016 to 01DEC2016 (+9 days)
– China (mainland-born): advanced from 22NOV2016 to 01DEC2016 (+9 days)
– Mexico: advanced from 22NOV2016 to 01DEC2016 (+9 days)
– Philippines: held at 01FEB2024 (no change)
Dates for Filing (Chart B)
– India: advanced from 01JAN2017 to 08MAR2017 (about +66–67 days)
– China (mainland-born): advanced from 01JAN2017 to 08MAR2017 (about +66–67 days)
– Mexico: advanced from 01JAN2017 to 08MAR2017 (about +66–67 days)
– Philippines: advanced from 22SEP2025 to 22OCT2025 (+30 days)
How long does the wait look from these positions?
– India/China/Mexico: With Final Action at 01DEC2016 in November 2025, the practical wait to reach approval is roughly 8 years and 11 months (late 2016 → late 2025).
– Philippines: With Final Action at 01FEB2024, the lag is about 1 year and 9 months, much shorter than the other three.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, it’s common to see bigger moves on Filing Dates than on Final Action Dates when authorities want to keep cases flowing without overcommitting visa numbers. November’s pattern fits that approach.
The F2B journey in steps: what you do and what to expect
- Petition is filed and a priority date is set
- What happens: A permanent resident files the F2B petition. The priority date becomes the case’s place in line.
- Your action: Keep proof of the filing and note the exact priority date; every monthly decision ties back to it.
- Watch the Visa Bulletin’s Dates for Filing (Chart B)
- What happens: When your priority date is earlier than your country’s Chart B cut-off, you can send documents to the NVC for consular processing.
- If inside the U.S.: Adjustment applicants may be able to file if USCIS confirms Chart B is in use that month.
- Your action: Check the monthly family-sponsored tables on the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin and confirm USCIS’s monthly choice of chart on the USCIS filing charts page.
- If eligible for adjustment: You may be able to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Link to the official form page: USCIS Form I-485.
- Assemble the filing package or NVC documents
- What happens: Filing under Chart B gets you into the review pipeline.
- For adjustment: You can move forward with biometrics and often seek work and travel documents while waiting.
- For consular cases: NVC can review documents and mark the case “documentarily qualified.”
- Your action: Prepare civil documents, police certificates where required, and time medical exams so results remain valid near interview or final review. Respond quickly to any NVC or USCIS requests.
- Wait for Final Action Dates (Chart A) to reach your priority date
- What happens: Your case can be approved only when Chart A is current for your priority date. NVC schedules interviews when visa numbers are available and cases are documentarily complete.
- Your action: Keep contact info and documents current. If you’re close to current, double-check that nothing is missing to avoid delay.
- Final decision and visa/green card issuance
- What happens: When your date is current under Chart A and your case is complete, the agency can finish the process—issue the immigrant visa abroad or approve permanent residence inside the country.
- Your action: If consular, attend the interview with updated documents. If adjusting status, watch for a decision notice after background and security checks clear.
Country-specific November positions and planning moves
India (Final Action: 01DEC2016; Filing: 08MAR2017)
– Movement: +9 days on Final Action; about +66–67 days on Filing.
– Meaning: A narrow band of late November 2016 cases became current for approval. A much wider early-2017 group can now send filings under Chart B.
– Planning:
– If your priority date is before 01DEC2016, prepare for final steps now; ensure civil documents and police certificates are current.
– If before 08MAR2017 but after Final Action, use the Filing Dates opening to assemble and submit to NVC or file adjustment if USCIS is using Chart B.
China (mainland-born) (Final Action: 01DEC2016; Filing: 08MAR2017)
– Movement: Matches India’s moves.
– Meaning: Late November 2016 cases can reach approval; early 2017 cases can enter the pipeline.
– Planning:
– If Final Action current before 01DEC2016, ensure readiness for interview or AOS completion.
– If Filing current before 08MAR2017, get your NVC or adjustment submission in so review can begin.
Mexico (Final Action: 01DEC2016; Filing: 08MAR2017)
– Movement: Same +9 days and +66–67 days moves.
– Meaning: A few more November 2016 cases clear the approval line; early 2017 cases gain filing eligibility.
– Planning:
– Final Action before 01DEC2016: approval-ready in November if cases are complete.
– Filing before 08MAR2017: open filing; prepare documents to avoid delays later.
Philippines (Final Action: 01FEB2024; Filing: 22OCT2025)
– Movement: No change on Final Action; +30 days on Filing.
– Meaning: Final Action remains much more recent than India/China/Mexico, keeping a shorter overall journey. Filing Dates continue a steady month-to-month cadence.
– Planning:
– Final Action before 01FEB2024: remain approval-eligible; watch for interview scheduling or AOS decisions.
– Filing before 22OCT2025: you can submit under Chart B; keep your case document-complete to match the brisk timeline.
Concrete timelines from November’s cut-offs
India/China/Mexico
– A case with a priority date in late November 2016 can be approved in November 2025 if everything else is done.
– A case with a priority date in January or February 2017 is not yet at Final Action, but can now file under Chart B through 08MAR2017 (subject to USCIS’s monthly chart choice for adjustment cases).
Philippines
– A case with a priority date of 31JAN2024 is current for approval in November 2025 if the file is ready.
– A case from March 2024 is not yet at Final Action, but the lag is much shorter than for India/China/Mexico.
These side-by-side examples show why families in different countries see very different wait times within the same F2B queue.
Action checklists for November 2025
If your priority date is BEFORE the November Final Action cut-off:
– India/China/Mexico: before 01DEC2016
– Philippines: before 01FEB2024
– Your moves:
– Confirm your file is complete with NVC or USCIS.
– Review civil documents and any police certificates for currency.
– Time your medical exam to match expected interview or final review.
– Watch for appointment notices or case status changes and respond promptly.
If your priority date is BEFORE the November Filing Date cut-off:
– India/China/Mexico: before 08MAR2017
– Philippines: before 22OCT2025
– Your moves:
– Assemble and submit to NVC the required documents listed in your case portal.
– For adjustment, confirm USCIS’s monthly chart selection; if Chart B is authorized, file your Form I-485 using the official USCIS form page.
– Keep copies of everything you submit; track all notices and deadlines.
If your priority date is JUST OUTSIDE the cut-offs:
– India/China/Mexico: March–June 2017 cases saw no new Final Action relief but did gain Filing Dates reach through early March; prepare documents now so you can act as soon as your date is listed.
– Philippines: Keep up with NVC requests and AOS requirements; the line is moving month by month, and missing an email or portal message can cause avoidable delays.
Important: Small improvements in Filing Dates can be operationally significant even if Final Action moves are tiny. Getting documents in early positions your case to use any future advances quickly.
What the pattern says about the months ahead
November shows minimal Chart A movement (nine days) for India/China/Mexico and steady status for the Philippines, while Chart B moved more for the first three and advanced a month for the Philippines. The practical impact:
– For India, China, and Mexico, the widened Filing Dates window is the bigger operational story. More early-2017 cases can now file and move into review even though approvals are still rationed.
– For the Philippines, keeping Final Action at 01FEB2024 preserves a relatively short journey, and Filing Dates continue to track current priorities closely.
Month to month, your best move is to prepare documents early, follow NVC or USCIS notices, and keep your case ready so that any small nudge on Final Action becomes real progress for your family.
Scenario planning to make the cut-offs real
- India example: Priority date 25NOV2016. In October this wasn’t current. In November, Final Action moved to 01DEC2016, so the case becomes approval-eligible if it’s complete. If documents were already in place, that nine-day shift matters immediately.
- Mexico example: Priority date 10JAN2017. Final approval isn’t available in November. But Filing Dates moved to 08MAR2017, so this case can now file documents or, if inside the country and authorized by USCIS for the month, file adjustment. Getting into the queue now can speed later steps.
- Philippines example: Priority date 15FEB2024. Final Action remains 01FEB2024, so this case isn’t current yet, but it’s close. With that short lag, keeping NVC or AOS documents updated is key so that when the date turns current, there’s no added wait.
Practical tips to avoid stoppages while you wait
- Set calendar reminders to check the Visa Bulletin every month. The Department of State typically releases it mid-month on the Visa Bulletin page.
- Keep a simple file with your receipt notices, priority date, civil records, and any requests from NVC or USCIS. Small gaps can cause big delays when your date finally becomes current.
- If USCIS authorizes Chart B for the month and you’re eligible, filing Form I-485 can open the door to work and travel documents while Final Action Dates catch up.
November 2025, in short, gives F2B families a mixed but workable map. India, China (mainland-born), and Mexico got a small Final Action Date move and a meaningful Filing Date jump into early March 2017. The Philippines kept a fresh Final Action Date of 01FEB2024 and advanced its Filing Date to 22OCT2025. The best strategy is to use the wider Filing Dates window to get your case document-ready now, then stay alert so you can step forward the moment your Final Action Date is current.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
The November 2025 Visa Bulletin shows modest Final Action Date advances of nine days for India, China (mainland-born), and Mexico, moving those charts to 01DEC2016; the Philippines stays at 01FEB2024. Meanwhile, Dates for Filing advanced more noticeably: India, China, and Mexico moved from 01JAN2017 to 08MAR2017 (about +66–67 days), and the Philippines moved from 22SEP2025 to 22OCT2025 (+30 days). Final Action Dates determine when green cards can be granted; Filing Dates allow cases to enter review. For many applicants from India/China/Mexico this means early-2017 priority dates can now submit documents to the NVC or file AOS if USCIS authorizes Chart B. The practical waiting time for India/China/Mexico remains near nine years; the Philippines’ timeline is much shorter. Families should prepare civil records, police certificates, and medicals now so they can act promptly when Final Action Dates become current.
