THE JUNE 2008 PRIORITY DATES

By Michael J. Gurfinkel, Esq.

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) priority date remained the same at March 15, 1993.

The Third Preference Category, F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens) priority date remained the same at April 1, 1991.

The Fourth Preference, F-4 (brothers and sisters of United States citizens) priority date remained the same at March 8, 1986.

Petitions by Green Card Holders:

The Second Preference, F-2A (Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder) moved forward by 1 month and 7 days, from June 8, 2003 to July 15, 2003.

The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders) moved forward by 7 days from February 15, 1997 to February 22, 1997.

Petitions by Employers:

The Third Preference (professionals and skilled workers) of Employment-Based Petitions (Labor Certification) priority date remained the same at March 1, 2006. The priority date for unskilled (“other”) workers priority date remained the same at January 1, 2003.

Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes the priority dates for that particular month. This means that visas (or green cards) would now be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current”, but retrogressed before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.

The June 2008 priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: