Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

IN this issue, we will discuss the visa bulletin for January 2009, and other important developments in immigration.

January 2009 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.

Family Based Preferences:

1. First Preference Unmarried Sons and Daughter of Citizens – July 15, 1993. This Preference advanced by 6 weeks since last month.

2. Second Preference:

a. Spouses and Minor Children of Permanent Residents – May 15, 2004. This Preference advanced by 6 weeks since last month.

b. Unmarried Sons and Daughter 21 years and over of Lawful Permanent Residents – Sep. 01, 1997. This Preference advanced by 6 weeks since last month.

3. Third Preference Married Sons and Daughters of Citizens – May. 22, 1991. This Preference advanced by one week since last month.

4. Fourth Preference Brothers and Sisters of Adult Citizens – May 01, 1986. This Preference advanced by 2 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 – May 01, 2005. This preference did not advance since last month

Unskilled – Other Workers – Mar. 15, 2003. This preference advanced by 4 weeks since last month

Scheduled A Workers – May 01, 2005. This preference did not advance 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 January 2009, 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 May 1, 2005. For Schedule A nurses and physical therapist, immigrant visa is also available for January 2009 if they have an approved I-140 petition dated earlier than May 1, 2005.

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 March 15, 2003 for the month of January 2009.