Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

In this issue, we will discuss the visa bulletin for March 2010, and other important developments in immigration.

March 2010 State Department Visa Bulletin.

If you are checking the status of your priority date, the Department of State is presently processing the following petitions with priority dates earlier than indicated below.

1. First Preference Unmarried Sons and Daughter of Citizens Mar. 01, 1994

This Preference advanced by 8 weeks since last month.

2. Second Preference:

a. Spouses and Minor Children of Permanent Residents Apr. 01, 2006

This Preference advanced by 4 weeks since last month.

b. Unmarried Sons and Daughter 21 years and over of Lawful Permanent Residents Aug. 22, 1998

This Preference advanced by 5 weeks since last month.

3. Third Preference Married Sons and Daughters of Citizens Mar. 01, 1992

This Preference advanced by 8 weeks since last month.

4. Fourth Preference Brothers and Sisters of Adult Citizens Sept. 01, 1987

This Preference advanced by 8 weeks since last month.

B. Employment Based Preferences:

1. First Preference – Priority Workers—Current

2. Second Preference – Advanced Degree Professionals—Current

3. Third Preference – Skilled Workers & Professionals Dec. 15, 2002

This preference advanced by 11 weeks since last month Unskilled – Other Workers June 1, 2001

This preference did not advance since last month Scheduled A Workers Dec. 15, 2002

This preference advanced by 11 weeks since last month

4. Fourth Preference – Certain Special Immigrants and Current Religious Workers—Current

5. Fifth Preference – Alien Investors —Current

Please note that for the month of March 2010, Employment Based Third Preference visa (professionals and skilled workers) is available for the Philippine nationals with approved labor certifications or I-140 petitions with priority dates earlier than September 22, 2002. For Schedule A nurses and physical therapist, immigrant visa is also available for March 2010 if they have an approved I-140 petition dated earlier than September 22, 2002.

Third Preference visas for Unskilled Workers such as caregivers, nursing assistants and nannies are available for those Philippine Nationals with approved labor certifications dated earlier than June 1, 2001 for the month of March 2010.