Visa Bulletin for December Notes Extension of ‘Certain Religious Workers’ Category

The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for December 2025 includes the following update:

H.R. 5371, signed on November 12, 2025, extends the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until January 30, 2026. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight January 29, 2026. Visas issued prior to that date will be valid only until January 29, 2026, 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 January 29, 2026.

As indicated in item D of the November 2025 Visa Bulletin, the extension resulted in this category immediately becoming available in November, subject to the same final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability. For December, the applicable SR final action date will be 01SEP20 for all countries.

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, please contact our Partner, Catherine Betancourt at catherine@flynnhodkinson.com.