Scheduled expiration of one employment visa category
Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR):
Pursuant to H.R. 5860, signed on September 30, 2023, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on November 17, 2023. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight November 16, 2023. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of November 16, 2023, and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted (repeat, admitted) into the U.S. no later than midnight November 16, 2023.
The SR category is available and subject to the same final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability for November. In the event there is no legislative action extending the category beyond November 17, 2023, the category will immediately become “Unavailable” as of November 17, 2023. In the event there is legislative action extending the category beyond November 17, the published dates will continue to be in effect for the remainder of November.