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The priority dates of petitions by green card holders moved
forward by at least one month, and that of the First Preference
category of the Family-Based Petitions moved significantly,
as shown in the November 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 more
than five weeks, from May 15, 1996 to June 22, 1996.
The Second Preference, 2B (unmarried sons and daughters,
over 21 years of age, of green card holders) moved
forward by one month, from May 1, 1993 to June
1, 1993.
The First Preference Category, F-1 (unmarried
sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, over 21 years of age),
moved this time, gaining three weeks, from April 8, 1988
to May 1, 1988.
The priority date for the Fourth Preference, F-4
(brothers and sisters of United States citizens)
did not move, 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 l3th straight month, remaining
at November 15, 1987. (Note: there is a difference
of five months and one week in priority dates between
unmarried and married adult children of U.S. Citizens
(May 1, 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
holder parents can only petition unmarried children.)
The priority dates for non-skilled workers category
under the Employment-Based Petitions moved forward
another three months, from November 1, 1995 to February
1, 1996.
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 November, 2000 priority dates for the
Philippines are as follows:
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