Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning that immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current”, but later 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 March 2012 priority dates for the Philippines are shown in the table at right.
Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 30 years, and is an active member of the State Bar of California and New York, as well as the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Immigration Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has always excelled in school: Valedictorian in High School; Cum Laude at UCLA; and Law Degree Honors and academic scholar at Loyola Law School, which is one of the top law schools in California.
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WEBSITE:www.gurfinkel.com
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(This is for informational purposes only, and reflects the firm’s opinions and views on general issues. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of a particular case. All immigration services are provided by an active member of the State Bar of California and/or by a person under the supervision of an active member of the State Bar. No prediction, warranty or guarantee can be made about the results of any case. Should you need or want legal advice, you should consult with and retain counsel of your own choice.)
| FAMILY CATEGORY: | Priority Date: | |
| First Preference | Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (over 21 years of age) | June 22, 1997 (In February 2012, the priority date was May 22, 1997.) |
| Second Preference | 2A. Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green crad holder 2B. Unmarried sons and | July 22, 2009 (In February 2012, the priority date was June 8, 2009.) December 8, 2001 (In February 2012, the priority date was November 1, 2001.) |
| Third Preference | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. | July 22, 1992 (In February 2012, the priority date was the same.) |
| Fourth Preference | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. | December 22, 1988 (In February 2012, the priority date was November 1, 1988.) |
| Labor Certification: | ||
| Third Preference | Professional/Skilled Workers | March 15, 2006 (In February 2012, the priority date was February 22, 2006.) |
| Other workers | Non-Skilled Workers | March 15, 2006 In February 2012, the priority date was February 22, 2006.) |