January 2012




Jan 2012
Employment-Based

All Charge-Ability Areas Except Those Listed

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