DHS Announces IFR Reducing Requirement to Reside Abroad for R-1 Religious Workers

DHS announced an interim final rule (IFR) removing the requirement for R-1 religious workers to reside abroad for 1 year after reaching the statutory five-year maximum period of stay in the U.S. R-1 workers still must leave the U.S. before seeking readmission in R-1 status, but there is no minimum period of time they must remain abroad.

An advance copy of the IFR, to be published in the Federal Register on 1/15/26, is available.