Religious Worker Visa Update
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a new interim final rule aimed at easing lengthy delays for thousands of foreign religious workers and the communities they serve. Effective immediately, the rule removes the previous requirement that R-1 religious workers who have reached the five-year nonimmigrant cap live outside the U.S. for a full year before returning. The update is designed to streamline the return process for priests, brothers, and other religious workers, helping to ensure continuity of pastoral leadership and ministry within parishes, schools, and communities.
“Pastors, priests, nuns, and rabbis are essential to the social and moral fabric of this country. We remain committed to finding ways to support and empower these organizations in their critical work.” (DHS Spokesperson)
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