May 2011
May 2011| Employment-Based |
All Charge-Ability Areas Except Those Listed |
China: Mainland Born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
| 1st | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| 2nd | Current | August 1st 2006 | July 1st 2006 | Current | Current |
| 3rd | August 22nd 2005 | April 15th 2004 | April 15th 2002 | September 8th 2004 | August 22nd 2005 |
| Other Workers | September 8th 2003 | April 22nd 2003 | April 15th 2002 | September 8th 2003 | September 8th 2003 |
| 4th | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| Certain Religious Workers | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| 5th Targeted Employment Areas/ Regional Centers and Pilot Programs |
Current | 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- Sponsored | All Charge-Ability Areas Except Those Listed | China: Mainland Born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
| F1 | May 1st 2004 | May 1st 2004 | May 1st 2004 | March 1st 1993 | July 15th 1995 |
| F2A | June 8th 2007 | June 8th 2007 | June 8th 2007 | January 1st 2007 | June 8th 2007 |
| F2B | April 15th 2003 | April 15th 2003 | April 15th 2003 | August 1st 1992 | March 1st 2000 |
| F3 | May 1st 2001 | May 1st 2001 | May 1st 2001 | November 15th 1992 | February 15th 1992 |
| F4 | March 8th 2000 | January 22nd 2000 | March 8th 2000 | February 15th 1996 | April 8th 1988 |
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