R-1 Religious Worker Visa

The R-1 Religious Worker Visa is a non-immigrant visa designed for individuals who wish to enter the United States temporarily to work in a religious capacity. It enables ministers, missionaries, and other religious professionals to serve their communities while being sponsored by a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the U.S.

Key Aspects of the R-1 Visa:

• Eligibility: Applicants must be members of a religious denomination that has a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the United States and intend to work in a religious vocation or occupation.
• Types of Religious Workers: Eligible positions include ministers, priests, missionaries, monks, nuns, religious instructors, and other faith-based workers engaged in recognized religious activities.
• Employer Sponsorship: The U.S.-based religious organization must file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the religious worker before the visa application can proceed.
• Duration of Stay: The R-1 visa is initially granted for up to 30 months (2.5 years) and may be extended for an additional 30 months, allowing a maximum total stay of five years. Extensions beyond this period are possible only under limited exceptions.
• Authorized Duties: R-1 visa holders may perform religious functions such as conducting worship services, leading congregations, performing religious rites, providing spiritual guidance, or carrying out missionary work directly associated with their denomination.
• Dependents: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may accompany R-1 visa holders on R-2 dependent visas. While R-2 dependents may study in the United States, they are not permitted to work.
• Transition to Permanent Residency: Although the R-1 is a temporary visa, holders may qualify to apply for a green card through the Special Immigrant Religious Worker (EB-4) category if they meet the necessary criteria and maintain continuous employment.
• No Annual Cap: The R-1 visa is not subject to an annual quota, meaning qualified applicants can apply year-round without numerical limits or cut-off dates.

The R-1 Religious Worker Visa strengthens faith communities across the United States by allowing foreign religious professionals to share their beliefs, serve congregations, and participate in outreach programs. At Visa2Migrate, we assist both religious organizations and applicants in navigating the R-1 visa process — from preparing petitions and gathering supporting documentation to ensuring full compliance with U.S. immigration regulations.