USCIS updated how long R-1 religious workers must stay outside the US after five years
New guidance clarifies the requirement to remain outside the US after reaching the five-year maximum stay on an R-1 visa.
Who this applies to & what you could do
R-1 Religious Worker
- Clarifies how required physical presence outside the U.S. is calculated after completing a 5-year maximum stay
- Provides standard guidance for religious employers planning staff transitions and re-petitions
- Updated calculations for how much time must be spent living outside the U.S. before applying for a new five-year period.
- Clearer guidelines for religious organizations to plan continuous employment and re-entry timelines for staff.
Gather travel records documenting any time you spent outside the U.S., review your stay expiration dates with your sponsoring organization, and speak with a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative to plan your timeline.
Gather travel records showing any periods spent outside the U.S., check your remaining R-1 time with your sponsoring organization, and talk to a qualified immigration attorney to plan your timeline.
Timeline — newest first
USCIS updates rules on required time outside the US for R-1 religious workers after 5 years
If you are in the United States as a religious worker, immigration officials have updated the rules regarding how long you must remain outside the country after reaching your five-year maximum stay. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued this policy guidance to help religious organizations maintain consistent staffing. This update is now in effect.
USCIS updates rules on how long R-1 religious workers must stay outside the US after five years
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated its official guidelines regarding nonimmigrant religious workers who have reached their maximum five-year limit of stay in the United States. This update changes the requirements for how long you must live outside the country before you can return under a new religious worker visa. These rules are now in effect to help religious organizations maintain stability in their staffing.
USCIS updated rules on how long R-1 religious workers must stay abroad after five years
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated its official guidance regarding religious workers who reach their five-year maximum stay limit in the United States. The change updates the rules for how long workers must remain outside the country before they can apply for R-1 status again. This updated guidance is now in effect.
Summaries are AI-generated from public government sources and news coverage. This is not legal advice.