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) moved forward 2 months from June 1, 1994 to August 1, 1994.
The Third Preference Category, F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens) remained the same at October 22, 1991.
The Fourth Preference, F-4 (brothers and sisters of United States citizens) priority date moved forward 14 days from January 1, 1988 to January 15, 1988.
Petitions by green card holders:
The Second Preference, F-2A (Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder) remained the same at January 1, 2008.
The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders) moved forward 17 days from May 15, 1999 to June 1, 1999.
Petitions by employers:
The Third Preference (professionals and skilled workers) of Employment-Based Petitions (Labor Certification) priority date moved forward by 10 days from March 22, 2005 to April 1, 2005. The priority date for unskilled (other) workers moved forward by 9 days from April 22, 2003 to May 1, 2003.
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 February 2011 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) | August 1, 1994 (In January 2011, the priority date was June 1, 1994.) | |
| Second Preference | 2A. Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder 2B. Unmarried sons and daughters (over 21 years old) of green card holder | January 1, 2008 (In January 2011, the priority date was the same.) June 1, 1999 (In January 2011, the priority date was May 15, 1999.) | |
| Third Preference | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. | October 22, 1991 (In January 2011, the priority date was the same.) | |
| Fourth Preference | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. | January 15, 1988 (In January 2011, the priority date was January 1, 1988.) | |
| Labor Certification: | |||
| Third Preference | Professional/Skilled Workers | April 1, 2005 (In January 2011, the priority date was March 22, 2005.) | |
| Other workers | Non-Skilled Workers | May 1, 2003 (In January 2011, the priority date was April 22, 2003.) | |
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)
* * *
Website: www.gurfinkel.com