Petitions by citizens:
The priority date for the First Preference Category, F-1 (unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens, over 21 years of age) remained the same at March 1, 1994.
The Third Preference Category, F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens) priority date remained the same at March 1, 1992.
The Fourth Preference, F-4 (brothers and sisters of United States citizens) priority date moved forward by 7 days from September 1, 1987 to September 8, 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 2 months from April 1, 2006 to June 1, 2006.
The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders) moved forward by 24 days from August 22, 1998 to September 15, 1998.
Petitions by employers:
The Third Preference (professionals and skilled workers) of Employment-Based Petitions (Labor Certification) priority date moved forward by 1 month and 17 days from December 15, 2002 to February 1, 2003. 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 US), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.
The April 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 March 2010, the priority date was the same.) |
| Second Preference 2A. 2B. | Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder daughters (over 21 years old) of green card holder | June 1, 2006 (In March 2010, the priority date was April 1, 2006.) September 15, 1998 (In March 2010, the priority date was August 22, 1998.) |
| Third Preference | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. | March 1, 1992 (In March 2010, the priority date was the same.) |
| Fourth Preference | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. | September 8, 1987 (In March 2010, the priority date was September 1, 1987.) |
| Labor Certification: | ||
| Third Preference | Professional/Skilled Workers | February 1, 2003 (In March 2010, the priority date was December 15, 2002.) |
| Other workers Non-Skilled Workers | June 1, 2001 (In March 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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