Some much needed reprieve for R-1 religious workers who are running out of their maximum allowed period of time of 5 years. The USCIS today announced that such religious workers will still need to leave the USA, but don’t have to wait abroad for 1 year before applying for a new R-1 visa. They can apply immediately. However, they will still be subject to the same scrutiny as any visa applicants, including more serious vetting of social media etc. Definitely heading in the right direction