Reviewed by John Hu, Principal Consultant at John Hu Migration Consulting.
The US State Department released the November Visa Bulletin on 22 October 2026. For Hong Kong applicants following EB-5 investor immigration, the key point is that EB-5 final action dates are identical to October, while EB-3 advances modestly.
1. EB-5: no change
| EB-5 category | November 2026 (final action) | vs October |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved, rest of world | Current | Unchanged |
| Unreserved, China-mainland born | 1 Dec 2016 | Unchanged |
| Unreserved, India | 1 Dec 2023 | Unchanged |
| Set-asides (rural / high-unemployment / infrastructure) | Current for all | Unchanged |
Dates for Filing are listed as China 1 Mar 2021 and India 1 May 2024. Discuss I-526E adjudication and the later adjustment or consular stage separately with your attorney.
2. EB-3: small moves forward
| EB-3 | October | November |
|---|---|---|
| Rest of world / Mexico | 15 May 2024 | 15 Jun 2024 |
| China-mainland | 8 Jan 2022 | 22 Jan 2022 |
| India | 1 Jan 2014 | 22 Jan 2014 |
| Philippines | 15 Aug 2023 | Unchanged |
| Other Workers, ROW / Mexico | 1 Jan 2022 | 1 Jun 2022 |
3. What it means for Hong Kong applicants
- The queue follows country of chargeability (birthplace), not nationality. Hong Kong-born applicants are generally in “rest of world”; spouses may be cross-charged. An attorney must confirm individual cases.
- “Current” today is not a promise; dates change monthly.
- EB-3 rest of world advanced about one month. Do not extrapolate a personal timeline from it.
4. For EB-5 applicants: check filing fees
The source draft mentions a fee change on 30 November 2026. The effective date and amounts need confirmation against an official USCIS notice. If you are preparing to file, verify the applicable fees and timeline with your attorney.
5. Next steps
- Confirm your and your spouse’s birthplace.
- Check the project category (set-aside or unreserved) with your attorney.
- Prepare source-of-funds documents.
- For the process, see US EB-5 investment immigration and the three timeline milestones.
JHM works with New York attorney Susan Akina on the legal side.
FAQ
Does “Current” mean I get a green card right away?
No. It means visa numbers are available; the I-526E must still be approved and later steps completed.
Is Hong Kong-born treated like China-mainland born?
Generally not, but an attorney must confirm your case.
EB-3 moves a month at a time; when is my turn?
Dates can advance, stall or retrogress; do not plan around them.
For reference only; not legal advice. Visa Bulletin, law and fees may change; outcomes vary with the applicant and official requirements. Consult a qualified attorney and tax adviser.
Hotline: (852) 3568 1436; WhatsApp: (852) 9178 8523. Request a free assessment.
Source: US Department of State: November 2026 Visa Bulletin.