What sets the priority date for categories requiring an approved labor certification?

The priority date for categories requiring an approved labor certification is established by the labor certification filing date. This is a critical aspect of the process because the priority date determines an applicant's place in line for immigrant visas within the employment-based preference categories.

When an employer files a labor certification with the Department of Labor, the date the filing is submitted establishes the priority date for the future immigrant petition. This date is important because it dictates eligibility based on the visa bulletin and the availability of visas in that specific employment-based category.

While other dates such as the labor certification approval date or Form I-140 filing date are significant in the immigration process, they do not determine the priority date for those requiring labor certification. The adjustment of status application date comes into play later in the process and is not used to set the initial priority date. Therefore, understanding the pivotal role of the labor certification filing date is essential for navigating the employment-based immigration landscape.