Several factors influence how long the process may take. Please see the Priority Dates section for information on waiting times for applicants from the Philippines. In the case of an employer-sponsored petition, the priority date is the date the labor certification was filed with the Department of Labor. Priority Dates for the Philippines can be found by clicking here . Each country has its own requirements for obtaining police certificates or clearances.
Specific information is available from the U.S. consulate processing the case.
An immigrant visa has a maximum validity of six months. If an immigrant visa has already been issued and circumstances force the applicant to remain abroad longer, the applicant should contact the U.S. consulate and request an extension of the immigrant visa s validity. A child born abroad to parents who are Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S. may enter the United States without a visa, provided the child is accompanied by a parent, upon that parent s first return to the U.S. within two years of the child s birth. The parent must provide reliable documentation showing the parent-child relationship. In the Philippines this can involve a wait of several years.