The priority date for the First Preference Category, F-1 (unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, over 21 years of age) moved forward by three months and one week, from April 15, 1989 to July 22, 1989.
The Third Preference Category F-3 (married sons and daughters of United States citizens), however, which registered the longest jump in the September 2003 listing, moved backwards or "retrogressed" by seven months and one week, from September 15, 1988 to February 8, 1988. (Note: There is now a difference of one year and five-and-a-half months 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) moved forward by two months and two weeks, from July 8, 1981 to September 22, 1981.
The priority dates for those petitioned by green card holders continued to move forward by at least one month.
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 one month, from August 15, 1998 to September 15, 1998.
The Second Preference, F-2B (unmarried sons and daughters, over 21 years of age, of green card holders) moved forward by almost seven weeks, from March 15, 1995 to May 1, 1995.
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 October 2003 priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: