November 2019 Visa Bulletin

D. EXPIRATION OF TWO EMPLOYMENT VISA CATEGORIES

Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR):

Pursuant to the continuing resolution (H.R. 4378 - Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019), signed on September 27, 2019, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on November 21, 2019. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight November 20, 2019. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of November 20, 2019, and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted (repeat, admitted) into the U.S. no later than midnight November 20, 2019.

The final action date for this category has been listed as “Current” for November for all countries except El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, which are subject to specific final action dates for November. If there is no legislative action extending this category for FY-2020, the final action date would immediately become “Unavailable” for November for all countries effective November 21, 2019.

Employment Fifth Preference Categories (I5 and R5):

Pursuant to the continuing resolution (H.R. 4378 - Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019), signed on September 27, 2019, the immigrant investor pilot program is extended until November 21, 2019. The I5 and R5 visas may be issued until close of business on November 21, 2019, and may be issued for the full validity period. No I5 or R5 visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after November 21, 2019.

The final action dates for the I5 and R5 categories have been listed as “Current” for November for all countries except China-mainland born, India, and Vietnam, which are subject to specific final action dates for November. If there is no legislative action extending these categories for FY-2020, the final action dates would immediately become “Unavailable” for November for all countries effective November 22, 2019.