Archive · fiscal year 2004

Visa Bulletin for October 2003

Compared with the month before: 0 lines moved forward, 0 retrogressed, current for all countries: EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-3 Other Workers, EB-4, EB-4 Religious Workers.

Chart A

Final action dates

Family	All countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	May 15, 2000	–	May 15, 2000	Oct 1, 1994	Jul 22, 1989
F2A	Sep 15, 1998	–	Sep 15, 1998	Mar 1, 1996	Sep 15, 1998
F2B	May 1, 1995	–	May 1, 1995	Dec 1, 1991	May 1, 1995
F3	Jul 1, 1997	–	Jul 1, 1997	Oct 8, 1994	Feb 8, 1989
F4	Dec 15, 1991	–	Jul 22, 1990	Dec 15, 1991	Sep 22, 1981

Employment	All countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1	Current	–	Current	Current	Current
EB-2	Current	–	Current	Current	Current
EB-3	Current	–	Current	Current	Current
EB-3 Other Workers	Current	–	Current	Current	Current
EB-4	Current	–	Current	Current	Current
EB-4 Religious Workers	Current	–	Current	Current	Current

What the State Department said

Special immigrant category for certain religious workers
The provisions in Section 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(II) and (III) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for visa issuance to Certain Religious Workers (SR) expire as of September 30, 2003. Applicants who qualify for SR status must either adjust status or immigrate on or before September 30, 2003. This includes any accompanying spouses and children of such religious workers. On or after October 1, 2003, qualifying religious workers cannot immigrate under the current provision. (The special immigrant classification for Ministers of Religion is permanent, however, and will not be affected by the expiration of the provisions for other religious workers.)
Congress is considering an extension of the “SR” visa category is possible, but there is no certainty when legislative action may occur. If this proposed legislation becomes law, readers will be notified in an upcoming Visa Bulletin.
U.S. Department of State, Visa Bulletin for October 2003

Released Sep 8, 2003. Official text: travel.state.gov.