Visa Bulletin for April 2024

What the State Department said

Scheduled expiration of the employment fourth preference religious workers (SR) category

Pursuant to H.R. 7463, signed on March 1, 2024, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on March 22, 2024. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight March 21, 2024. Visas issued prior to that date will be valid only until March 21, 2024, and all individuals seeking admission in the non-minister special immigrant category must be admitted (repeat admitted) into the United States no later than midnight March 21, 2024.

The SR category is listed as “Unavailable” for all countries for April. In the event there is legislative action extending the category, it is likely it will become available effective immediately. If extended, the category will be subject to the same final action dates as the listed Employment-Based Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability.

Visa availability in the coming months

FAMILY-sponsored categories (potential movement):

Worldwide dates:

F1: Up to three months

F2A (excluding Mexico): Up to six months

F2B: Up to ten weeks

F3: Several months

U.s. government employee special immigrant visas (SIVS)

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, signed into law on December 22, 2023, may affect certain current and former employees of the U.S. Government abroad applying for SIVs or adjustment of status, as described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the INA. This does not affect certain Iraqis and Afghans applying for SQ and SI SIVs. Applicants should contact the consular section at which they filed their Form DS‑1884 for further information on the impact of that law on their case.