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Title 22, Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-110

§6416 Equal Access to United States Missions Abroad for Conducting Religious Activities

Title 22 › CHAPTER 73 — INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM › SUBCHAPTER I — DEPARTMENT OF STATE ACTIVITIES › § 6416

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of State must allow U.S. citizens to use U.S. embassy or consulate space for religious activities. Access must be at least as good as access given to other nonofficial, nongovernmental activities. The timing and place must be reasonably arranged, considering things like how many people want access, scheduling conflicts, available outside services, space and resources, and security needs. The Secretary may also let foreign nationals attend or join these religious activities.

Full Legal Text

Title 22, §6416

Foreign Relations and Intercourse, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general
Subject to this section, the Secretary of State shall permit, on terms no less favorable than that accorded other nongovernmental activities unrelated to the conduct of the diplomatic mission, access to the premises of any United States diplomatic mission or consular post by any United States citizen seeking to conduct an activity for religious purposes.
(b)Timing and location
The Secretary of State shall make reasonable accommodations with respect to the timing and location of such access in light of— (1)
(2)conflicts with official activities and other nonofficial United States citizen requests;
(3)the availability of openly conducted, organized religious services outside the premises of the mission or post;
(4)availability of space and resources; and
(5)necessary security precautions.
(c)Discretionary access for foreign nationals
The Secretary of State may permit access to the premises of a United States diplomatic mission or consular post to foreign nationals for the purpose of attending or participating in religious activities conducted pursuant to this section.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

22 U.S.C. § 6416

Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110