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THE FEBRUARY 2005 PRIORITY DATES
by Michael J. Gurfinkel, Esq.
The priority dates for both categories of the Second Preference (F-2A and F-2B, petitions by green card holders) moved forward, but those of persons petitioned by U.S. citizens did not move, as shown in the monthly Visa Bulletin for February 2005, released by the State Department. In addition, employment based 3 rd Preference cases (labor certifications), remained "retrogressed" at January 1, 2002.
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) did not move, and remained at October 15, 1990.
The Third Preference Category F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens ) also did not move, and remained at June 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 did not move, and remained at September 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 almost seven weeks, from August 15, 2000 to October 1, 2000 .
The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders), moved forward by three weeks, from August 1, 1995 to August 22, 1995 .
Petitions by Employers:
The First Preference (professionals and skilled workers) of Employment-Based Petitions (Labor Certification), which became non-current for the first time last month, remained stationary at January 1, 2002. The Third Preference (non-skilled workers) remained current.
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 February 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)
|
October 15, 1990
(In January 2005, the priority date was the same.)
|
| 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
|
October 1, 2000
(In January 2005, the priority date was August 15, 2000.)
August 22, 1995
(In January 2005, the priority date was August 1, 1995.) |
| Third Preference |
Married sons and daughters of
U.S. Citizens |
June
1, 1990
(In January 2005, the priority date was the same.) |
|
Fourth Preference
|
Brothers and sisters of U.S. Citizens
|
September 22, 1982
(In January 2005, the priority date was the same.) |
| LABOR CERTIFICATION: |
| Third Preference |
Professional/Skilled Workers |
January 1, 2002
(In January 2005, the priority date was the same.)
|
| Other Workers |
Non-Skilled workers |
CURRENT
(In
January 2005, the priority date was also current.)
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