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 1 month and 24 days from February 22, 1996 to April 15, 1996.
The Third Preference Category, F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens) moved forward by 14 days from March 8, 1992 to March 22, 1992.
The Fourth Preference, F-4 (brothers and sisters of United States citizens) priority date moved forward by 14 days from May 1, 1988 to May 15, 1988.
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 7 months from August 22, 2007 to March 22, 2008.
The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders) moved forward by 3 months and 14 days from June 8, 2000 to September 22, 2000.
Petitions by employers:
The Third Preference (professionals and skilled workers) of Employment-Based Petitions (Labor Certification) priority date moved forward by 23 days from September 15, 2005 to October 8, 2005. The priority date for unskilled (other) workers moved forward by one year and 14 days from November 8, 2003 to November 22, 2004.
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 July 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) | April 15, 1996 (In June 2011, the priority date wasFebruary 22, 1996.) |
| Second Preference 2A. 2B. | Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green ard holder Unmarried sons and daughters (over 21 years old) of green card holder | March 22, 2008 (In June 2011, the priority date was August 22, 2007.) September 22, 2000 (In June 2011, the priority date was June 8, 2000.) |
| Third Preference | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. | March 22, 1992 (In June 2011, the priority date was Mrch 8, 1992.) |
| Fourth Preference | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. | May 15, 1988 (In June 2011, the priority date was May 1, 1988.) |
| Labor Certification: | ||
| Third Preference | Professional/Skilled Workers | October 8, 2005 (In June 2011, the priority date was September 15, 2005.) |
| Other workers | Non-Skilled Workers | November 22, 2004 (In June 2011, the priority date was November 8, 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)
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