01/15/2026
Effective immediately, R-1 religious workers are no longer required to live and remain outside the United States for one year after reaching their five-year maximum period of stay in order to qualify for readmission in R-1. While R-1 religious workers are still required to depart the U.S., the rule establishes that there is no longer a minimum period of time they must reside and be physically present outside the U.S. before they seek readmission in R-1 status.
Immigration lawyer with more than a decade of experience in immigration law.
