September 2004




September 2004
Employment-Based All Charge-Ability Areas Except Those Listed India Mexico Philippines
1 st Current Current Current Current
2 nd Current Current Current Current
3 rd Current Current Current Current
Other Workers Current Current Current Current
4 th Current Current Current Current
Certain Religious Workers Current Current Current Current
5 th Current Current Current Current
Targeted Employment Areas/Regional Centers Current Current Current Current

First: Priority Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.

Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.

Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "*Other Workers".

Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level.

Fifth: Employment Creation: 7.1% of the worldwide level, not less than 3,000 of which reserved for investors in a targeted rural or high-unemployment area, and 3,000 set aside for investors in regional centers by Sec. 610 of Pub. L. 102-395.

Family-Based All Charge-Ability Areas Except Those Listed India Mexico Philippines
1 st October 22nd 2000 October 22nd 2000 January 1st 1992 July 15th 1990
2A* April 15th 2000 April 15th 2000 September 15th 1997 April 15th 2000
2B July 1st 1995 July 1st 1995 September 1st 1991 July 1st 1995
3 rd October 15th 1997 October 15th 1997 May 1st 1992 August 22nd 1987
4 th August 15th 1992 September 22nd 1991 August 15th 1992 March 22nd 1982

First: (F1) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents

A. (F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

B. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents

Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens