| The priority dates in the First, Third, and
Fourth Preference categories of the Family-Based Petitions
were stalled again, as shown in the May 2000 Priority
Dates listed in the monthly Visa Bulletin released by the
State Department.
The First Preference Category, F-1 (unmarried
sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, over 21 years of age),
did not move at all, remaining at April 8, 1988.
The priority date for the Fourth Preference, F-4
(brothers and sisters of United States citizens)
was back to its usual inactivity, remaining at August
1, 1979.
The Third Preference Category F-3 (married sons and
daughters of United States citizens) of Family-Based
Petitions did not move for the seventh straight month, remaining
at November 15, 1987. (Note: there is now a difference
of four months and three weeks in priority dates
between unmarried and married adult children of U.S.
Citizens (April 8, 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 still 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 Second Preference, 2A (spouse and minor children
² below 21 years of age - of green card holders)
of Family-Based Petitions moved forward one month,
from January 1, 1996 to February 1, 1996.
The Second Preference, 2B (unmarried sons and daughters,
over 21 years of age, of green card holders) moved
forward by only 10 days, from January 22, 1993 to February
1, 1993.
The priority dates for non-skilled workers category
under the Employment-Based Petitions moved forward
another two months, from June 1, 1994 to August
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 May, 2000 priority dates for the Philippines
are as follows:
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