DHS Eases Path for Religious Workers: One-Year Wait Requirement Eliminated for R-1 Visas

In a significant policy shift, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an interim final rule that eliminates the one-year foreign residency requirement for R-1 nonimmigrant religious workers. This change, effective January 14, 2026, provides immediate relief to thousands of religious organizations and their workers, including priests, nuns, and rabbis, who previously faced lengthy disruptions to their service in the United States. Under the old policy, religious workers who reached their five-year maximum stay in the U.S. were required to reside and be physically present outside the country for a full year before they could be readmitted in R-1 status. The new rule removes this mandatory waiting period, allowing religious workers to seek readmission without a minimum period of time abroad. This policy change is a direct response to the growing backlogs in the EB-4 visa category, which have been exacerbated by changes made by the Department of State in 2023. These backlogs have caused many religious workers to exhaust their R-1 status, leaving their communities without essential spiritual leaders and support staff. The new rule aims to provide stability for faith-based communities and minimize disruptions to their vital work. The rule is effective immediately, and USCIS is accepting public comments for 60 days.