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For November 2025, USCIS uses Dates for Filing (DFF, Chart B) for AOS filings.
In practice: if your Priority Date (PD) is on or before the DFF date for your EB category and chargeability country, you may file I-485 (Adjustment of Status) now, provided you meet the other AOS requirements.
Below you’ll find plain-language explanations, a step ribbon instead of a diagram, an interactive checklist, a clean DFF table, and clickable .gov sources.
What is AOS & Priority Date (PD): in plain English
Adjustment of Status (AOS) lets you apply for a green card from inside the U.S. by filing I-485, instead of leaving for a consular interview. It’s commonly used by people already in the U.S. in a valid status (work, study, etc.) who meet AOS eligibility.
Priority Date (PD) is your place in line. For most EB cases PD is the PERM filing date (if PERM is required) or the I-140 filing date (if not). You compare your PD to the Visa Bulletin charts each month.
Key idea: PD is what you compare to DFF/FAD.
Why is there a line? U.S. law limits employment-based immigrant visas per year and per country. The Department of State (DOS) publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin that advances PDs by category and country.
- EB-1/EB-2/EB-3: extraordinary/execs; advanced degree; professionals/skilled.
- Chargeability country: generally the principal applicant’s birth country (cross-chargeability rules may apply in marriage cases).
FAD vs DFF: what’s the difference and why it matters
Final Action Dates (FAD, Chart A) is the final decision chart. When your PD is within FAD, a visa number is available and USCIS/DOS can approve permanent residence.
Dates for Filing (DFF, Chart B) is the early filing chart. When USCIS says to use DFF for a month (it does for November 2025), you may file AOS (I-485) earlier, even if FAD is not current for you yet. That accelerates EAD/AP while you wait for FAD to catch up.
Read the month rule
PD — Priority Date
For most EB cases, PD is the PERM filing date (if applicable) or the I-140 filing date (if PERM is not required). This is the date you compare to the charts.
DFF (Chart B): file I-485
When USCIS uses DFF (it does for November 2025) and your PD ≤ DFF, you may file AOS now, if otherwise eligible.
FAD (Chart A): final decision
When PD ≤ FAD, a visa number is available and USCIS can approve your I-485. Until then, your case may pend for visa availability.
Monthly rule: November 2025 — USCIS uses DFF (Chart B) for AOS.
Interactive checklist: “If your date ≤ … — do X”
Dates for Filing (Chart B) — November 2025
| EB Category | All Chargeability | India | China (Mainland) | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | 15-Apr-23 | 15-May-23 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | 15-Jul-24 | 01-Dec-13 | 01-Dec-21 | 15-Jul-24 | 15-Jul-24 |
| EB-3 (Prof/Skilled) | 01-Jul-23 | 15-Aug-14 | 01-Jan-22 | 01-Jul-23 | 01-Jul-23 |
DOS date format is dd-mmm-yy. Always verify with the current Visa Bulletin issue.
Edge cases, common mistakes, and real-world pointers
1) Exactly on the cutoff: visa charts are read as “PD ≤ posted date” — that is current. If your PD equals the DFF date, filing is allowed (if otherwise eligible).
2) No I-140 approval: Most EB AOS filings occur after I-140 approval. Filing without approval is narrow and risky. If I-140 is pending or you plan consular processing, get competent legal advice.
3) Cross-chargeability: If a spouse was born in a more favorable country, you may qualify to use that country for chargeability. It’s lawful but technical; misuse leads to denials.
4) Job changes & portability: EB-2/EB-3 PD can often be ported to a new I-140. After 180 days from I-485 filing, AC21 portability may allow employer changes if the occupation is similar. Poor duty matching triggers RFEs/NOIDs.
5) Status issues: AOS requires eligibility in the U.S. Out-of-status periods, unauthorized work, or travel mistakes can block AOS. Assess risks early.
6) “Current” ≠ risk-free: Even if DFF is Current, assemble a clean package: I-485, I-765, I-131, fees, I-693 medical, identity/civil docs, bona fide job evidence. Small errors cause delays.
7) Work & travel while pending: Early DFF filing gets you EAD/AP sooner, but don’t work or travel until authorized. Violations can wipe out the advantage.
8) Why USCIS toggles DFF/FAD: It’s a queue management tool. DFF months help USCIS pull in more full files and manage backlogs; other months may revert to FAD.
9) Who benefits from DFF months? Applicants whose PDs are within DFF but not yet FAD — you can start AOS, get EAD/AP, and wait for FAD for approval.
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. Individual facts can change outcomes.
FAQ: quick and clear
USCIS announced DFF for November 2025. Does that mean everyone can file?
You may file if your PD is not later than the DFF date for your EB category and chargeability country, and you otherwise qualify for AOS (e.g., you are in the U.S. in an eligible status).
If I file under DFF in November, when can final approval happen?
Final approval requires your PD to be within FAD (Chart A). Until then, USCIS can hold your I-485 while a visa number is pending. The DFF benefit is earlier EAD/AP.
What if USCIS switches back to FAD in December?
If you filed I-485 in November based on DFF, your case remains filed. Any later rule change applies to new filings, not retroactively to accepted ones.
How often does the Visa Bulletin change, and can dates move backward?
It’s monthly. Both forward movement and retrogression occur — compare your PD with each new issue.
Should I include the medical exam (I-693) up front?
Recommended. It helps avoid RFEs and speeds adjudication once FAD reaches your PD. Mind I-693 validity.
Why is DFF helpful for employers and families?
Earlier EAD/AP reduces authorization gaps and travel uncertainty while you wait for FAD to reach your PD.
Official sources (.gov)
- USCIS — Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin (which chart to use each month, DFF vs FAD).
- USCIS — Visa Availability & Priority Dates (When to File) (how PD works and filing logic).
- DOS — Visa Bulletin (monthly FAD & DFF charts; open the November 2025 issue).
- USCIS — Adjustment of Status (I-485) (forms, fees, instructions).
Check these pages monthly — USCIS may switch between DFF and FAD depending on visa number management.
