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Visa News
For more news and information regarding Consular Affairs see, Press Releases.
Subscribe to the Visa News Email Subscription to receive email notification as the Visa News page is updated.
President Obama signs into law, an extension for “SR” nonminister special immigrant religious workers
On March 20, 2009, President Obama signed into law HR 1127, a bill to extend certain immigration programs. Section 1 extends the “SR” nonminister special immigrant religious worker visa classification by amending INA 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(II) and (III)to authorize “SR” status for an eligible alien who “seeks to enter the United States before September 30, 2009.” “SR” visas may be issued until close of business on September 29, 2009. No “SR” visa may be issued with a validity that extends beyond September 29, 2009. Visit the Immigrant Visas - Employment webpage.
Employment Fourth Preference (E4)
Special Immigrants receive 7.1 percent of the yearly worldwide limit. All such applicants must be the beneficiary of an approved I-360, Petition for Special Immigrant, except overseas employees of the U.S. Government who must use Form DS-1884. Certain spouses and children may accompany or follow-to-join the principal special immigrant. Different types of special immigrants provided for under immigrant law are listed below:
Broadcaster in the U.S. employed by the International Broadcasting Bureau of the Broadcasting Board of Governors or a grantee of such organization;
Minister of Religion;
Certain Employees or Former Employees of the U.S. Government Abroad;
Employee of the Mission in Hong Kong;
Certain Former Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government;
Certain Former Employees of the U.S. Government in the Panama Canal Zone;
Certain Former Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government on April 1, 1979;
A. Interpreters and translators of Iraqi or Afghan nationality who have worked directly with the United States armed forces or under Chief of Mission authority as a translator or interpreter for a period of at least 12 months and meet requirements. This classification has an annual numeric limitation of 500 visas through FY 08. For applicants living overseas, see Special Immigrant Visas for Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters - Frequently Asked Questions for information about criteria, documentary requirements, filing the Form I-360, and more. Also, see USCIS Fact Sheet on Afghan and Iraqi Translators for information including instructions for applicants who are filing in the U.S.
B. Iraqis who have provided faithful and valuable service while employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq for not less than one year after March 20, 2003, and have experienced an ongoing serious threat as a consequence of that employment. This provision was signed into law in January 2008, creating 5,000 special immigrant visas each year for the next five years. The Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security are establishing regulations and procedures to permit applications under the new legislation to begin as soon as possible. At this point we are unable to accept applications for this category of visa until those regulations and procedures have been implemented. Learn more.
Certain Foreign Medical Graduates (Adjustments Only);
Certain Retired International Organization employees;
Certain Spouses of a deceased International Organization Employee;
Juvenile Court Dependent (no family member derivatives);
Alien Recruited Outside of the United States Who Has Served or is Enlisted to Serve in the U.S. Armed Forces;
Certain retired NATO-6 civilians;
Certain surviving spouses of deceased NATO-6 civilian employees;
Alien beneficiary of a petition or labor certification application filed prior to Sept. 11, 2001, if the petition or application was rendered void due to a terrorist act of Sept. 11, 2001;
Certain Religious Workers.
For more news and information regarding Consular Affairs see, Press Releases.
Subscribe to the Visa News Email Subscription to receive email notification as the Visa News page is updated.
President Obama signs into law, an extension for “SR” nonminister special immigrant religious workers
On March 20, 2009, President Obama signed into law HR 1127, a bill to extend certain immigration programs. Section 1 extends the “SR” nonminister special immigrant religious worker visa classification by amending INA 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(II) and (III)to authorize “SR” status for an eligible alien who “seeks to enter the United States before September 30, 2009.” “SR” visas may be issued until close of business on September 29, 2009. No “SR” visa may be issued with a validity that extends beyond September 29, 2009. Visit the Immigrant Visas - Employment webpage.
Employment Fourth Preference (E4)
Special Immigrants receive 7.1 percent of the yearly worldwide limit. All such applicants must be the beneficiary of an approved I-360, Petition for Special Immigrant, except overseas employees of the U.S. Government who must use Form DS-1884. Certain spouses and children may accompany or follow-to-join the principal special immigrant. Different types of special immigrants provided for under immigrant law are listed below:
Broadcaster in the U.S. employed by the International Broadcasting Bureau of the Broadcasting Board of Governors or a grantee of such organization;
Minister of Religion;
Certain Employees or Former Employees of the U.S. Government Abroad;
Employee of the Mission in Hong Kong;
Certain Former Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government;
Certain Former Employees of the U.S. Government in the Panama Canal Zone;
Certain Former Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government on April 1, 1979;
A. Interpreters and translators of Iraqi or Afghan nationality who have worked directly with the United States armed forces or under Chief of Mission authority as a translator or interpreter for a period of at least 12 months and meet requirements. This classification has an annual numeric limitation of 500 visas through FY 08. For applicants living overseas, see Special Immigrant Visas for Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters - Frequently Asked Questions for information about criteria, documentary requirements, filing the Form I-360, and more. Also, see USCIS Fact Sheet on Afghan and Iraqi Translators for information including instructions for applicants who are filing in the U.S.
B. Iraqis who have provided faithful and valuable service while employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq for not less than one year after March 20, 2003, and have experienced an ongoing serious threat as a consequence of that employment. This provision was signed into law in January 2008, creating 5,000 special immigrant visas each year for the next five years. The Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security are establishing regulations and procedures to permit applications under the new legislation to begin as soon as possible. At this point we are unable to accept applications for this category of visa until those regulations and procedures have been implemented. Learn more.
Certain Foreign Medical Graduates (Adjustments Only);
Certain Retired International Organization employees;
Certain Spouses of a deceased International Organization Employee;
Juvenile Court Dependent (no family member derivatives);
Alien Recruited Outside of the United States Who Has Served or is Enlisted to Serve in the U.S. Armed Forces;
Certain retired NATO-6 civilians;
Certain surviving spouses of deceased NATO-6 civilian employees;
Alien beneficiary of a petition or labor certification application filed prior to Sept. 11, 2001, if the petition or application was rendered void due to a terrorist act of Sept. 11, 2001;
Certain Religious Workers.
