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• November Visa Bulletin Brings Employment-Based Advancement and New Filing Opportunities
• DOL Advances PERM Reform Proposal Following Federal Review
• New Zealand Expands Visa Options for Business Visitors and Specialized Workers

November Visa Bulletin Brings Employment-Based Advancement and New Filing Opportunities

The Department of State’s November 2026 Visa Bulletin shows modest advancement in several employment-based immigrant visa categories, particularly EB-2 and EB-3. USCIS will allow employment-based adjustment of status applicants to use the Dates for Filing chart in November, creating additional filing opportunities. 

Key developments in the November bulletin include: 

• EB-1: China advances one month to August 1, 2023, while India remains at February 1, 2023. All other countries remain current. 
• EB-2: The worldwide Final Action Date advances three months to April 1, 2025. China and India remain unchanged at October 1, 2021, and November 1, 2013, respectively. 
• EB-3: China advances two weeks to January 22, 2022, and India advances three weeks to January 22, 2014. The worldwide category advances one month to June 15, 2024. 
• EB-5: India and China Unreserved Final Action Dates remain unchanged at December 1, 2023, and December 1, 2016, respectively. All three EB-5 set-aside categories remain current for all countries. 

The Dates for Filing chart remains largely unchanged, although EB-3 Other Workers advances one month to July 1, 2022, for most countries outside China, India, and the Philippines. 

Applicants may file Form I-485 if their priority date is earlier than the applicable Dates for Filing cutoff and they otherwise meet adjustment eligibility requirements. Final approval remains subject to visa availability under the Final Action Dates chart. 

Impact: November’s bulletin provides additional filing opportunities for certain EB-2 and EB-3 applicants. Employers and foreign nationals should review priority dates, confirm filing eligibility, and monitor future bulletins as visa demand continues to affect availability throughout fiscal year 2027.

DOL Advances PERM Reform Proposal Following Federal Review

The Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed PERM reforms have reportedly completed review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), moving the proposal closer to publication. 

The proposal, identified as RIN 1205-AC29, seeks to modernize PERM recruitment requirements that have remained largely unchanged since 2004. DOL has indicated that the reforms are intended to reflect evolving recruitment practices and technology while strengthening protections for U.S. workers. 

According to DOL’s regulatory agenda, the proposal will focus on several key areas: 

• Recruitment standards: Updating how employers test the U.S. labor market and recruit qualified domestic workers. 
• Layoff protections: Strengthening safeguards for U.S. workers affected by workforce reductions. 
• Employer compliance: Enhancing nondiscrimination requirements and record-retention obligations associated with recruitment and hiring. 

The specific changes remain unknown until DOL publishes the proposed rule in the Federal Register, including how any new requirements may affect PERM cases already underway. 

Importantly, existing PERM requirements remain unchanged. Employers must continue following current recruitment, labor market testing, and documentation standards while the rulemaking process proceeds. 

Following publication, DOL is expected to provide a public comment period before determining whether to finalize the proposed changes. 

Impact: The proposed reforms could significantly affect PERM recruitment procedures, documentation requirements, and sponsorship planning following layoffs. Employers should review existing compliance practices and monitor the forthcoming proposal, particularly for transition provisions affecting pending and future PERM cases.

New Zealand Expands Visa Options for Business Visitors and Specialized Workers

New Zealand has expanded immigration options for international business travelers and specialized professionals. Effective October 20, 2026, the changes broaden permitted activities under the Business Visitor Visa and clarify eligibility under the Specific Purpose Work Visa. 

Under the updated Business Visitor Visa rules, foreign nationals may participate in additional business activities, including: 

• Attending informal business training involving observation or theoretical instruction that does not lead to a formal qualification. 
• Conducting business transactions on behalf of a business in New Zealand in qualifying management or financial services roles. 
• Participating in tourism conventions as travel agents, tour guides, or tour operators. 

The government has also expanded the Specific Purpose Work Visa framework to recognize Contractual Service Suppliers and Independent Professionals, providing temporary work pathways for eligible individuals fulfilling service contracts or specialized assignments. 

Applicants must meet applicable qualification, experience, contract, and documentation requirements. Labor market testing may also apply depending on the circumstances. 

The reforms aim to facilitate temporary business mobility and provide clearer immigration pathways for companies delivering specialized services in New Zealand. 

Impact: The expanded visa pathways may simplify business travel and provide greater flexibility for employers deploying specialized professionals to New Zealand. Employers should carefully review planned activities and visa eligibility requirements before travel to ensure employees enter under the appropriate immigration classification.