Annual Cap Reached for EB-1 Immigrant Visas; October Visa Bulletin Released; Religious Workers Category to Expire

On September 8, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) announced that all immigrant visas in the Employment-Based First Preference (EB-1) category for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 have been issued. As a result, U.S. embassies and consulates cannot issue additional immigrant visas in the EB-1 category until the start of FY 2026 on October 1, 2025. This follows a similar announcement by DOS regarding immigrant visas in the EB-2 category last week.

DOS has released the October Visa Bulletin. As of October 1, 2025, new visa numbers will become available, and processing will resume for qualified applicants, including those in the EB-1 category.

The Visa Bulletin for October also notes that the E-4 Certain Religious Workers (SR) category expires on September 30, 2025. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight on September 29, 2025. Visas issued before that date will be valid only until September 29, 2025, and all individuals seeking admission in the non-minister special immigrant category must be admitted into the United States by midnight on September 29, 2025.

The bulletin notes that the SR category is listed as “Unavailable” for all countries for October. If Congress extends the category, DOS said “it is likely it will become available effective immediately.”

This is posting is for informational purposes and is not intended as legal advice. If you require further assistance or advice relating to the above, If you require further assistance or advice relating to the above, please contact our Managing Partner, Janice Flynn at janice@flynnhodkinson.com.