April 2003 priority dates

The priority dates for family-based Second Preference categories (petitions by green card holders) continued to move forward, while those of the First Preference (unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens) finally moved, as shown in the monthly Visa Bulletin for April 2003 released by the State Department.

The priority date for the Second Preference, F-2A (spouse and minor children – below 21 years of age – of green card holders) of Family-Based Petitions moved forward by almost eight weeks, from December 8, 1997 to February 1, 1998.

The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders) moved forward by six weeks, from July 1, 1994 to August 15, 1994.

The First Preference Category, F-1 (unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, over 21 years of age) moved forward by three weeks, from April 1, 1990 to April 22, 1990.

The Third Preference Category F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens) did not move forward, and remained at December 8, 1989. (Note: There is now only a four-month difference in priority dates between unmarried and married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.)

The Fourth Preference, F-4 (brothers and sisters of United States citizens) did not move either, and remained at December 15, 1981.

Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes the priority dates for that particular month. This means that visas would now be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below.

The April 2003 priority dates for the Philippines are as follows:

FAMILY CATEGORY		Priority Date:
First Preference	Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)	April 22, 1990 (In March 2003, the priority date was April 1, 1990).
Second Preference	2A. Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder	February 1, 1998 (In March 2003, the priority date was December 8, 1997.)
	2B. Unmarried sons and daughters (over 21 years old) green card holder.	August 15, 1994 (In March 2003, the priority date was July 1, 1994.)
Third Preference	Married sons and daughters of US citizens.	December 8, 1989 (In March 2003, the priority date was the same.)
Fourth Preference	Brothers and sisters, of US citizens.	December 15, 1981 (In March 2003, the priority date was the same.)
EMPLOYMENT-BASED PETITIONS (including Labor Certification):
Third Preference	Professional/Skilled Workers	CURRENT (In March 2003, the priority date was also current.)
Other Workers	Non-Skilled workers	CURRENT (In March 2003, the priority date was also current.)