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THE FEBRUARY 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) remained the same, at July 15, 1993.
The Third Preference Category, F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens) priority date moved forward by 10 days from May 22 1991 to June 1, 1991.
The Fourth Preference, F-4 (brothers and sisters of United States citizens) priority date remained the same at 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 17 days, from May 15, 2004 to June 1, 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 14 days from September 1, 1997 to October 15, 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) priority date remained the same at 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 February priority dates for the Philippines are as follows:
FAMILY CATEGORY: |
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Priority Date: |
| First Preference |
Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (over 21 years of age) |
July 15, 1993
(In January 2009, the priority
date was the same.) |
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| Second Preference |
(2A) Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder |
June 1, 2004
(In January 2009, the priority date was May 15, 2004.) |
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(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (over 21 years old) of green card holder |
October 15, 1997
(In January 2009, the priority
date was September 1, 1997.) |
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Third Preference |
Married sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens |
June 1, 1991
(In January 2009, the priority
date May 22, 1991.) |
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Fourth Preference |
Brothers and sisters of U.S. Citizens. |
May 1, 1986
(In January 2009, the priority
date was the same.) |
| LABOR CERTIFICATION: |
Third Preference |
Professional/Skilled Workers |
May 1, 2005
(In January 2009, the priority date was the same.) |
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Other workers |
Non-Skilled Workers |
March 15, 2003
(In January 2009, the priority date was the same.) |
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