Final Rule On Religious Worker Visa Classifications

73 Fed. Reg. 72276 (November 26, 2008)

A final rule effective November 26, 2008, revises the special immigrant and nonimmigrant (R-1) religious worker visa classification regulations. The USCIS final rule establishes a requirement that employers submit an I-129 petition for R-1 religious workers, and provides for increased inspections, evaluations, verifications, and compliance reviews of religious organizations.

The latest Form I-129 Q-1 and R-1 Supplement (11/26/08 edition) has been updated with the attestations required by the new regulations.

USCIS also posted supplemental Questions and Answers