As of 2024, there have been significant updates regarding the R-1 visa for religious workers, particularly concerning green card processes. Here are the key points:
- Green Card Retrogression: There has been a notable change in the allocation of green cards for the Employment-Based Fourth Preference (EB-4) category, which includes R-1 visa holders. Since April 1, 2023, the wait times for green cards for religious workers have significantly increased from months to years due to a reallocation of green card demand. This retrogression now impacts applicants regardless of their country of origin, pushing back availability to September 2018
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- Reasons for Increased Demand: The spike in demand from Central American countries, specifically El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, has influenced the overall visa availability. These nations were previously separated for quota purposes, but a legal correction has now grouped them with the rest of the world, increasing the wait times for all applicants in the EB-4 category
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- Implications for Applicants: Individuals who have an approved I-360 petition and are hoping to transition to a green card may face delays. The current processing timeline may stretch significantly, affecting plans for permanent residency for religious workers
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For more detailed information on the implications of these updates, you can visit the source articles discussing the current state of the R-1 visa and the EB-4 category