Who is Eligible?
This visa applies to individuals who, for at least two years immediately preceding the time of application for admission, have been a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide, nonprofit religious organization in the United States, may be admitted temporarily to the United States to carry on the activities of a religious worker.
Authorized Religious Work Categories
The alien must be coming to the U.S. for one of the following purposes: solely to carry on the vocation of a minister of the religious denomination; to work for the religious organization at the request of the organization in a professional capacity; or to work for the organization, or a bona fide organization that is affiliated with the religious denomination, at the request of the organization in a religious vocation or occupation.
How to Apply
The sponsor will file a petition with the INS Regional Service Center having jurisdiction over the organization. The religious organization must be a bona fide religious nonprofit organization in the U.S.; the organization may show tax exemption under the Internal Revenue Code, 501(c)(3). The applicant will need to document that he or she was a member of the same religious denomination as the sponsoring organization for a two-year period immediately preceding the application.
Factors to consider in determining a bona fide religious denomination are the presence of some form of ecclesiastical government
- A recognized creed and form of worship
- A formal code
- Religious services
- Ceremonies
- Establishment of place of worship
- A religious congregation
Duration of Visa
An R-1 visa may be valid for a period of up to 5 years.
Status of Spouse and Minor Children
Spouses and unmarried minor children of an alien who holds an R-1 visa are eligible for an R-2 visa. They may not accept employment under an R-2 visa. INS allows expedited premium processing, which is available under this category.
