General policyPOLICY UPDATE
Improving Continuity for Religious Organizations and Their Employees
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to implement the regulatory change to the requirement on how long a nonimmigrant religious worker (R-1) must remain outside the United States after reaching the 5-year statutory maximum period of stay.
Effective date and application
This guidance, contained in Volume 2 of the Policy Manual, is effective immediately
Key changes
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to implement the regulatory change to the requirement on how long a nonimmigrant religious worker (R-1) must remain outside the United States after reaching the 5-year statutory maximum period of stay.
- Explains that while an R-1 nonimmigrant must still leave the United States after reaching the maximum 5-year period of stay under INA 101(a)(15)(R)(ii), he or she is no longer required to remain outside the United States for 1 year before readmission in R-1 status.
- Clarifies that a new period of stay in R-1 status begins when the beneficiary of a new approved R-1 petition is admitted to the United States.
