During the entire Green Card process, the Priority Date (PD) assumes special significance. It is this date that is used to determine when an applicant may file for Adjustment and finally adjudication to become a permanent resident. In PERM based Green Card applications, the PD is the date on which the PERM Application (FORM ETA 9089) is filed with the Department of Labor. This is carried on to the Immigrant Petition (Form I-140). Sometimes, the Service may get this date wrong on the I-140 Receipt/Approval Notice. When this happens, it is important to immediately notify the USCIS and have this changed to reflect the correct date. The priority date remains with the candidate even if the candidate leaves the sponsoring employer to commence work elsewhere. The PD may also be retained and applied to later filed petition in a higher category.
