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THE MARCH 2005 PRIORITY DATES
by Michael J. Gurfinkel, Esq.
The priority dates for all categories of the Family-Based Petitions moved forward by at least three weeks, as shown in the monthly Visa Bulletin for March 2005, released by the State Department. Employment based 3 rd Preference cases for skilled workers and professionals (labor certifications), moved forward by two months, but priority date for "other" (unskilled) workers retrogressed, (or moved backwards) to July 1, 2001.
Petitions by Citizens:
The priority date for the First Preference Category, F-1 (unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, over 21 years of age) moved forward by one month, from October 15, 1990 to November 15, 1990 .
The Third Preference Category F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens ) also moved forward by one month, from June 1, 1990 to July 1, 1990 . (Note: There is now a difference of 4-1/2 months in priority dates between unmarried and married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.).
The Fourth Preference, F-4 (brothers and sisters of United States citizens) also moved forward by one month, from September 22, 1982 to October 22, 1982 .
Petitions by Green Card Holders:
The Second Preference, F-2A (spouse and minor children below 21 years of age, of green card holders ) of Family-Based Petitions moved forward by one and a half months, from October 1, 2000 to November 15, 2000 .
The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders), moved forward by more than three weeks, from August 22, 1995 to September 15, 1995 .
Petitions by Employers:
The Third Preference (professionals and skilled workers) of Employment-Based Petitions (Labor Certification), which retrogressed (moved backwards) for the first time in over seven years has now in January 2005, has now moved forward by two months, from January 1, 2002 to March 1, 2002 . The Third Preference (non-skilled workers) retrogressed to July 1, 2001. It was "current" in February 2005.
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 2005 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)
|
November
15, 1990
(In
February 2005, the priority date was the
October 15, 1990.)
|
| Second Preference |
2A. Spouse and minor children
(below 21 years old) of green card holder
2B. Unmarried sons and daughters (over 21
years old) of green card holder
|
November 15, 2000
(In
February 2005, the priority date was October 1, 2000.)
September 15, 1995
(In February 2005, the priority date was August 22, 1995.) |
| Third Preference |
Married sons and daughters of
U.S. Citizens |
July
1, 1990
(
In February 2005, the priority date was June 1, 1990.) |
|
Fourth Preference
|
Brothers and sisters of U.S. Citizens
|
October 22, 1982
(In February 2005, the priority date was September 22, 1982.) |
| LABOR CERTIFICATION: |
| Third Preference |
Professional/Skilled Workers |
March 1,
2002
(In February 2005, the priority date January 1, 2002.)
|
| Other Workers |
Non-Skilled workers |
July 1, 2001
( In February 2005, the priority date was current.) |
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