Petitions by citizens:
The priority date for the First Preference Category, F-1 (unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, over 21 years of age) moved forward by 2 months from January 1, 1994 to March 1, 1994.
The Third Preference Category, F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens) priority date moved forward by 2 months from January 1, 1992 to March 1, 1992.
The Fourth Preference, F-4 (brothers and sisters of United States citizens) priority date moved forward by 2 months from to July 1, 1987 to September 1, 1987.
Petitions by green card holders:
The Second Preference, F-2A (Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder) moved forward by 1 month from March 1, 2006 to April 1, 2006.
The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders) moved forward by 1 month and 7 days from July 15, 1998 to August 22, 1998.
Petitions by employers:
The Third Preference (professionals and skilled workers) of Employment-Based Petitions (Labor Certification) priority date moved forward by 2 months and 23 days from September 22, 2002 to December 15, 2002. The priority date for unskilled (other) workers remained the same at June 1, 2001.
Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes the priority dates for that particular month. This means that visas (or green cards) would now be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current”, but retrogressed (or became “unavailable”) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.
The March 2010 priority dates for the Philippines are as follows:
| FAMILY CATEGORY:
| Priority Date: | |
| First Preference | Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (over 21 years of age) | March 1, 1994 (In February 2010, the priority date was January 1, 1994.) |
| Second Preference 2A. | Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder | April 1, 2006 (In February 2010, the priority date was March 1, 2006.) |
| 2B. | Unmarried sons and daughters (over 21 years old) of green | August 22, 1998 (In February 2010, the priority date was July 15, 1998.) |
| Third Preference | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. | March 1, 1992 date was January 1, 1992.) |
| Fourth Preference | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. | September 1, 1987 (In February 2010, the priority date was July 1, 1987.) |
| Labor Certification:
| ||
| Third Preference | Professional/Skilled Workers | December 15, 2002 (In February 2010, the priority date was September 22, 2002.) |
| Other workers | Non-Skilled Workers | June 1, 2001 (In February 2010, the priority date was the same.) |
Four offices to serve you: PHILIPPINES: 894-0258 or 894-0239; LOS ANGELES; SAN FRANCISCO; NEW YORK: TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-866- GURFINKEL (1-866-487-3465)
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