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THE APRIL 2005 PRIORITY DATES
by Michael J. Gurfinkel, Esq.
The priority dates for all categories of the Family-Based Petitions moved forward by at least one month, as shown in the monthly Visa Bulletin for April 2005, released by the State Department. Employment based 3 rd Preference cases for skilled workers and professionals (labor certifications), moved forward by one month, but priority date for "other" (unskilled) workers remained at 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 November 15, 1990 to December 15, 1990 .
The Third Preference Category F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens ) also moved forward by one month, from July 1, 1990 to August 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 October 22, 1982 to November 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 more than seven weeks, from November 15, 2000 to January 8, 2001 .
The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders), moved forward by one month, from September 15, 1995 to October 15, 1995 .
Petitions by Employers:
The Third Preference (professionals and skilled workers) of Employment-Based Petitions (Labor Certification), moved forward by one month, from March 1, 2002 to April 1, 2002 . The Third Preference (non-skilled workers), which retrogressed in March 2005, did not move and remained at July 1, 2001 .
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 April 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)
|
December 15, 1990
(In March 2005, the priority date was November 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
|
January 8, 2001
(In March 2005, the priority date was November 15, 2000.)
October 15, 1995
(In March 2005, the priority date was September 15, 1995.) |
| Third Preference |
Married sons and daughters of
U.S. Citizens |
August 1, 1990
(In March 2005, the priority date was July 1, 1990.) |
|
Fourth Preference
|
Brothers and sisters of U.S. Citizens
|
November 22, 1982
(In March 2005, the priority date was October 22, 1982.) |
| LABOR CERTIFICATION: |
| Third Preference |
Professional/Skilled Workers |
April 1, 2002
(In March 2005, the priority date was March 1, 2002.)
|
| Other Workers |
Non-Skilled workers |
July 1, 2001
(In
March 2005, the priority date was the same.) |
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