18 Nov 2021 The December 2021 Priority Dates: No change from September
The November priority dates are typically the start of the new “fiscal year” for visas, where a new annual supply of visas is made available. Usually, with a new supply of visas, the priority dates move forward in the various family categories. However, for November 2021, the priority dates did not move at all. They are the same as September 2021. Fortunately, employment-based visas remain “current.”
Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment-based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and 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 priority dates for the Philippines are:
| FAMILY CATEGORY: | Application Filing Date | Visa Issuance Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Preference | Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (21 years old or older) | April 22, 2015 | March 01, 2012 |
| Second Preference | (2A) Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holders | September 01, 2021 | Current |
| (2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holders | October 01, 2013 | October 22, 2011 | |
| Third Preference | Married sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens | October 01, 2003 | June 08, 2002 |
| Fourth Preference | Brothers and sisters of U.S. Citizens | February 01, 2004 | August 22, 2002 |
| LABOR CERTIFICATION: | Application Filing Date | Visa Issuance Date | |
| Second Preference | Advanced Degree (Masters) | Current | Current |
| Third Preference | Professional/ Skilled Workers | Current | Current |
| Other workers | Non-Skilled Workers | Current | Current |
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