Petitions by citizens:
The priority date for the First Preference Category, F-1 (unmarried sons and daughters of United States citizens, over 21 years of age) moved forward 4 months from September 1, 1995 to January 1, 1996.
The Third Preference Category, F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens) priority date moved forward one year from May 1, 1993 to May 1, 1994.
The Fourth Preference, F-4 (brothers and sisters of United States citizens) priority date moved forward by one year from April 1, 1989 to April 1, 1990.
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 8 months from July 1, 2008 to March 1, 2009.
The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders) moved forward by one year and 5 months from March 1, 2000 to August 1, 2001.
Petitions by employers:
The Third Preference (professionals and skilled workers) of Employment-Based Petitions (Labor Certification) priority date moved forward by 9 month and 17 days from August 15, 2003 to June 1, 2004. The priority date for unskilled (other) workers moved forward by 11 months and 14 days from June 1, 2001 to May 15, 2002.
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 United States), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.
The August 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) | January 1, 1996 (In July 2010, the priority date was September 1, 1995.) |
| Second Preference 2A. | Spouse and minor children (below 21years old) of green ard holder | March 1, 2009 (In July 2010, the priority date was July 1, 2008.) |
| 2B. | Unmarried sons and August 1, 2001 daughters (over 21 years old) of green ard holder | (In July 2010, the priority date was March 1, 2000.) |
| Third Preference | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. | May 1, 1994 (In July 2010, the priority date was May 1, 1993.) |
| Fourth Preference | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. | April 1, 1990 (In July 2010, the priority date was April 1, 1989.) |
| Labor Certification: | ||
| Third Preference | Professional/Skilled Workers | June 1, 2004 (In July 2010, the priority date was August 15, 2003.) |
| Other workers | Non-Skilled Workers | May 15, 2002 (In July 2010, the priority date was June 1, 2001.) |
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