In a significant move for religious workers, the United States has renewed the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) visa category, extending it until December 11, 2026. This extension was enacted when President signed H.R. 6500 into law on September 2, 2026, ensuring that qualifying religious workers can continue to pursue their visa applications without interruption.

The SR visa category is particularly crucial for those religious workers who do not meet the criteria for the standard minister classification but still engage in essential religious vocations. The renewal of this category prevents a lapse that would have otherwise curtailed a vital immigration pathway used by individuals from various religious organizations seeking permanent residence in the United States.

Under the terms of the extension, applicants under the SR category will continue to adhere to the same filing and final action dates as other Employment Fourth Preference applicants. This means that the applicable foreign state of chargeability will determine which dates apply to each SR applicant, aligning their processing with other beneficiaries in the same employment category.

Religious workers looking to adjust their status or apply for immigrant visas must closely monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin released by the US Department of State. This bulletin will inform them of when they can file their applications, as the SR applicants share the same cut-off dates as other Employment Fourth Preference workers. Consequently, any changes in these dates will affect all applicants equally, regardless of their specific employment type.

The extension provides a defined timeframe for both petitioners and applicants, allowing them to advance their immigration cases before Congress may need to consider further renewal of the category beyond December 2026. This development highlights the ongoing commitment of the US government to support religious workers and their contributions to the community.

The SR visa category is part of a broader framework established under the United States Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which outlines four distinct preference categories for family-sponsored visas. The renewal of the SR category underscores the importance of maintaining diverse immigration pathways for individuals serving in various capacities within religious organizations.