# 2026-00830: Religious Workers Dodge Year-Long U.S. Exile Requirement

2026-00830, Improving Continuity for Religious Organizations and Their Employees, is a Federal Register rule from Homeland Security Department published 2026-01-16, effective 2026-01-16; deemed significant under Executive Order 12866 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00830
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00830
- Title: Improving Continuity for Religious Organizations and Their Employees
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Homeland Security Department
- Citation: 91 FR 2049
- Published: 2026-01-16
- Effective: 2026-01-16
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: yes (FR_METADATA)
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1615-AD02
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Religious Workers Dodge Year-Long U.S. Exile Requirement

## Summary

Religious workers on R-1 visas no longer have to wait a full year outside the U.S. before coming back after their maximum stay. This change helps churches, mosques, and other religious groups keep their important workers without long breaks. The new rule starts January 16, 2026, and comments are open until March 17, 2026.

## Abstract

This interim final rule (IFR) amends U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations to remove the requirement that R-1 religious workers who have reached the maximum period of stay must reside abroad and be physically present outside the United States for one year before being eligible for readmission in R-1 status after departing from the United States upon reaching the maximum admission period. The purpose of this change is to promote stability and minimize disruptions to the vital services that R-1 religious workers provide to U.S. churches, mosques, synagogues, and other bona fide nonprofit religious organizations.

## Effects PRIA read

- No More 1-Year Return Wait for R-1 Workers: benefit, high. If you are an R-1 religious worker (the R-1 classification permits up to a 60-month total stay), starting January 16, 2026 you will no longer be required to reside abroad and be physically present outside the United States for one year after reaching the maximum period of stay before seeking readmi…
- Dependents' Readmission Tied to R-1 Rules: benefit, medium. If you are the spouse or child of an R-1 religious worker (R-2 dependent), your period of stay and readmission limitations are subject to the same rules as the R-1 principal. The rule explains that R-2 status is subject to the same period of stay and limitations as the R-1, so changes to the R-1 on…
- Seasonal, Part-Time, Commuter Exceptions Stay Same: benefit, low. The rule keeps existing exceptions: R-1 religious workers who did not reside continually in the United States because their employment was seasonal or intermittent, or who worked an aggregate of six months or less per year, and those who reside abroad and regularly commute to the United States, rem…

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## Sources
- [2026-00830 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/16/2026-00830/improving-continuity-for-religious-organizations-and-their-employees)
- [2026-00830 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-16/pdf/2026-00830.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-00818, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00818)
- [Next: 2026-00832, Service of Process; Further Change](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00832)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00830 (as of 2026-06-11).