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The priority dates in both categories of the Second Preference
of the Family-Based Petitions moved forward a few weeks
this month, as shown in the March 2000 Priority Dates
listed in the monthly Visa Bulletin released by the State
Department.
The Second Preference, 2A (spouse and minor children
² below 21 years of age - of green card holders)
of Family-Based Petitions moved forward five weeks,
from October 15, 1995 to November 22, 1995.
The Second Preference, 2B (unmarried sons and daughters,
over 21 years of age, of green card holders) moved
forward three weeks, from December 8, 1992 to January
1, 1993.
All the other categories in the Family-based Petitions
did not move.
The First Preference Category, F-1 (unmarried
sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, over 21 years of age),
remained at March 22, 1988.
The Third Preference Category F-3 (married sons and
daughters of United States citizens) of Family-Based
Petitions did not move for the fifth straight month, remaining
at November 15, 1987 (Note: there is now a difference
of four months and one week in priority dates between
unmarried and married adult children of U.S. Citizens
(March 22, 1988 for single children versus
November 15, 1987 for married children). So,
single adult children of U.S. citizens may wish to
seek legal advice about marrying, before they are processed
for their visa or green card, since the difference in waiting
time is so small and they could possibly include their spouse
for a visa at the same time they are processed for their
own visa. Note: children of green card holders
cannot marry, or their petition is void, as green card
holders can only petition unmarried children.
The priority date for the Fourth Preference F-4 (brothers
and sisters of United States citizens) also did
not move for the fifth straight month, remaining at July
15, 1979,
The priority dates for non-skilled workers category
under the Employment-Based Petitions moved forward
another two months, from January 1, 1994 to March
1, 1994.
The priority dates for professionals and skilled
workers, EB-3 remained current. This means
those who have INS-approved I-140 employment-based
immigrant petitions under the Third Preference (professionals
and skilled workers), may still file for adjustment
of status, and be processed for green cards in the U.S.,
(if they are already in the U.S.). For nurses and physical
therapists, INS regulations for CGFNS have been published,
such that nurses and physical therapists would be eligible
to adjust status or be processed for a visa.
Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes
the priority dates for that particular month. This means
that visas would now be available for persons whose
priority date is earlier than the cut-off
date listed below:
The March, 2000 priority dates for the Philippines
are as follows:
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