March 2009




March 2009
Employment-Based

All Charge-Ability Areas Except Those Listed

China: Mainland Born India Mexico Philippines
1st Current Current Current Current Current
2nd Current February 15th 2005 February 15th 2004 Current Current
3rd May 1st 2005 October 22nd 2002 October 15th 2001 August 15th 2003 May 1st 2005
Other Workers March 15th 2003 October 22nd 2002 October 15th 2001 March 15th 2003 March 15th 2003
4th Current Current Current Current Current
Certain Religious Workers Current Current Current Current Current
5th Current Current Current Current Current
Targeted Employ-ment Areas/ Regional Centers 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-Based All Charge-Ability Areas Except Those Listed China: Mainland Born India Mexico Philippines
1st July 22nd 2002 July 22nd 2002 July 22nd 2002 October 8th 1992 July 15th 1993
2A July 1st 2004 July 1st 2004 July 1st 2004 October 15th 2001 July 1st 2004
2B June 22nd 2000 June 22nd 2000 June 22nd 2000 May 1st 1992 December 1st 1997
3rd August 8th 2000 August 8th 2000 August 8th 2000 October 15th 1992 June 8th 1991
4th March 1st 1998 November 15th 1997 March 1st 1998 April 8th 1995 May 15th 1986

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