R-1 Religious Worker Visa

Ministers and religious workers of a nonprofit religious organization.

Work Visas

Overview

The R-1 visa is for foreign nationals coming temporarily to work at least part-time as a minister or in another religious vocation or occupation for a nonprofit religious organization in the United States (or an affiliated organization).

Who it's for

  • Ministers of a bona fide religious denomination
  • Workers in a religious vocation or occupation
  • Members employed by an affiliated nonprofit religious organization

Key points

Membership

Generally requires membership in the religious denomination for the prior 2 years.

Petitioner

The U.S. religious organization files Form I-129.

Duration

Initial period up to 30 months, extendable to a total of 5 years.

Disclaimer: We are not attorneys in the U.S. Kindly do not depend upon us for legal advice. Our scope of services is limited to documentation for immigration petitions.