DOS Cable on SR Religious Worker Immigrant Visa Availability

1. Early in September, Immigrant Visa allocations in the "SR" Religious Worker category reached the annual limit of 5,000 set by law. VO has been wait listing subsequent requests for SR numbers in the event that additional numbers become available. Post may continue to request additional numbers. But at present there are no numbers remaining for allocation in this category.

2. Posts which have September SR numbers which cannot be used are asked to return them by visas giraffe as soon as possible so that they may be reallocated.

3. For posts information: On September 20 the House of Representatives approved H.R. 783. An Immigration Technical Amendment Bill, which among other things extends the SR program for three more years. This bill has now gone to the Senate, but there is no way to predict whether the Senate will act on it before the end of the current session. An extension of the SR program cannot be taken for granted. Therefore if the SR program is extended applicants on the waiting list who could not be provided September numbers will be allocated numbers for the next month in which SR visas may be available. Posts will be kept informed of developments.

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