THE OCTOBER 2009 PRIORITY DATES – VISAS AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT
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) moved forward by 16 days from September 22, 1993 to October 8, 1993.
The Third Preference Category, F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens) priority date moved forward by 23 days from September 22, 1991 to October 15, 1991.
The Fourth Preference, F-4 (brothers and sisters of United States citizens) priority date moved forward by 1 month and 9 days from October 22, 1986 to December 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 17 days from April 15, 2005, to June 1, 2005.
The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders) remained the same at May 1, 1998.
Petitions by Employers:
The Third Preference (professionals and skilled workers) of Employment-Based Petitions (Labor Certification) priority date, which was unavailable the last few months is now June 1, 2002. The priority date for unskilled (other) workers, which was also unavailable the last few months is now June 1, 2001.
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 (or became “unavailable”) 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 October 2009 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 8, 1993
(In September 2009, the priority date was September 22, 1993.) |
|
|
|
Second Preference |
(2A) Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder |
June 1, 2005
(In September 2009, the priority date was April 15, 2005.) |
|
(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (over 21 years old) of green card holder |
May 1, 1998
(In September 2009, the priority date was the same.) |
|
|
|
Third Preference |
Married sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens |
October 15, 1991
(In September 2009, the priority date was September 22, 1991.) |
|
|
|
Fourth Preference |
Brothers and sisters of U.S. Citizens. |
December 1, 1986
(In September 2009, the priority date was October 22, 1986.) |
| LABOR CERTIFICATION: |
Third Preference |
Professional/Skilled Workers |
June 1, 2002
(In September 2009, the priority date was unavailable.) |
Other workers |
Non-Skilled Workers |
June 1, 2001
(In September 2009, the priority date was unavailable.) |
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