May 2012




Employment-Based

All Charge-Ability Areas Except Those Listed

China - mainland born India Mexico Philippines
1st Current Current Current Current Current
2nd Current August 15th 2007 August 15th 2007 Current Current
3rd May 1st 2006 April 1st 2005 September 8th 2002 May 1st 2006 May 1st 2006
Other Workers May 1st 2006 April 22nd 2003 September 8th 2002 May 1st 2006 May 1st 2006
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 2005 May 1st 2005 May 1st 2005 May 15th 1993 July 1st 1997
F2A November 15th 2009 November 15th 2009 November 15th 2009 October 15th 2009 November 15th 2009
F2B February 22nd 2004 February 22nd 2004 February 22nd 2004 December 1st 1992 December 8th 2001
F3 March 8th 2002 March 8th 2002 March 8th 2002 January 15th 1993 July 22nd 1992
F4 December 1st 2000 November 22nd 2000 December 1st 2000 June 1st 1996 January 22nd 1989

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