|
THE JANUARY 2009 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 moved forward by 1 month and 14 days from June 1, 1993 to July 15, 1993.
The Third Preference Category, F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens) priority date moved forward by 7 days from May 15, 1991 to May 22, 1991.
The Fourth Preference, F-4 (brothers and sisters of United States citizens) priority date moved forward by 16 days from April 15, 1986 to May 1, 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 14 days, from April 1, 2004 to May 15, 2004
The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders) moved forward by 1 month and 17 days from July 15, 1997 to September 1, 1997.
Petitions by Employers:
The Third Preference (professionals and skilled workers) of Employment-Based Petitions (Labor Certification) priority date remained the same at May 1, 2005. The priority date for unskilled (other) workers moved forward 2 months from January 15, 2003 to March 15, 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 January 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) |
July 15, 1993
(In December 2008, the priority
date was June 1, 1993.) |
Second Preference |
(2A) Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder |
May 15, 2004
(In December 2008, the priority date was April 1, 2004.) |
|
(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (over 21 years old) of green card holder |
September 1, 1997
(In December 2008, the priority date was July 15, 1997.) |
Third Preference |
Married sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens |
May 22, 1991
(In December 2008, the priority date May 15, 1991.) |
Fourth Preference |
Brothers and sisters of U.S. Citizens. |
May 1, 1986
(In December 2008, the priority
date was April 15, 1986.) |
| LABOR CERTIFICATION: |
| Third Preference |
Professional/Skilled Workers |
May 1, 2005
(In December 2008, the priority
date was the same.) |
| Other workers |
Non-Skilled Workers |
March 15, 2003
(In December 2008, the priority
date was January 15, 2003.) |
| |
|
|
|
