The September 2010 priority dates continue to show phenomenal forward movement in the family and employment based categories. In some categories, the priority dates have moved forward several years in just the past few months!!! This is incredible, because we were all used to the priority dates moving forward by only a few days or weeks each month — not moving forward one year or more each month.
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 by one year from January 1, 1996 to January 1, 1997.
The Third Preference Category, F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens) priority date moved forward by 8 months from May 1, 1994 to January 1, 1995.
The Fourth Preference, F-4 (brothers and sisters of United States citizens) priority date moved forward by 9 months from April 1, 1990 to January 1, 1991.
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 10 months from March 1, 2009 to January 1, 2010.
The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders) moved forward by one year from August 1, 2001 to August 1, 2002.
Petitions by employers:
The Third Preference (professionals and skilled workers) of Employment-Based Petitions (Labor Certification) priority date moved forward by 6 months and 14 days from June 1, 2004 to December 15, 2004. The priority date for unskilled (other) workers moved forward by 10 months and 7 days from May 15, 2002 to March 22, 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 September 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, 1997 |
| (In August 2010, the priority date was January 1, 1996.) | ||
| Second Preference | 2A. Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder | January 1, 2010 |
| (In August 2010, the priority date was March 1, 2009.) | ||
| 2B. Unmarried sons and daughters (over 21 years old) of green card holder | August 1, 2002 | |
| (In August 2010, the priority date was August 1, 2001.) | ||
| Third Preference | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens | January 1, 1995 |
| (In August 2010, the priority date was May 1, 1994.) | ||
| Fourth Preference | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens | January 1, 1991 |
| (In August 2010, the priority date was April 1, 1990. | ||
| Labor Certification: | ||
| Third Preference | Professional/Skilled Workers | December 15, 2004 |
| (In August 2010, the priority date was June 1, 2004.) | ||
| Other workers | Non-Skilled Workers | March 22, 2003 |
| (In August 2010, the priority date was May 15, 2002.) | ||
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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