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 April 15, 1996.
The Third Preference Category, F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens) moved forward by 10 days from March 22, 1992 to April 1, 1992.
The Fourth Preference, F-4 (brothers and sisters of United States citizens) remained the same at 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 4 months from March 22, 2008 to July 22, 2008.
The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders) moved forward by 2 months and 9 days from September 22, 2000 to December 1, 2000.
Petitions by employers:
The Third Preference (professionals and skilled workers) of Employment-Based Petitions (Labor Certification) priority date moved forward by 24 days from October 8, 2005 to November 1, 2005. The priority date for unskilled (other) workers moved forward by 5 months and 9 days from November 22, 2004 to May 1, 2005.
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 August 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 July 2011, the priority date was April 15, 1996.) |
| Second Preference 2A. 2B. | Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder Unmarried sons and daughters (over 21 years old) of green card holder | July 22, 2008 (In July 2011, the priority date was March 22, 2008.) December 1, 2000 (In July 2011, the priority date was September 22, 2000.)
|
| Third Preference
| Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
| April 1, 1992 (In July 2011, the priority date was March 22, 1992.) |
| Fourth Preference | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. | May 15, 1988 (In July 2011, the priority date was May 15, 1988.) |
| Labor Certification:
| ||
| Third Preference | Professional/Skilled Workers | November 1, 2005 (In July 2011, the priority date was October 8, 2005.) |
| Other workers | Non-Skilled Workers | May 1, 2005 (In July 2011, the priority date was November 22, 2004.) |
Four offices to serve you: PHILIPPINES: 8940258 or 8940239; LOS ANGELES; SAN FRANCISCO; NEW YORK: TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-866- GURFINKEL (1-866-487-3465)
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Website: www.gurfinkel.com